01993naa a2200217 a 450000100080000000500110000800800410001910000170006024500750007726000090015252014290016165000120159065000160160265300160161865300290163465300190166365300210168270000160170370000190171977300370173816469691995-09-04       1981    bl ---       0--  u    #d1 aELLIS, R. H.  aThe influence of desiccation on cassava seed germination and longevity  c1981  aThe longevity of seeds of the majority of crop species in storageis extended by reducing temperature, or moisture content, or both. Seeds which conform to this pattern have been described as orthodox (Roberts, 1973). Consequently it is possible to maintain the viablity of orthodox seed in storage at low temperatures ad moisture contents. However, aminority of crop species produce seed which are killed by desiccation and therefore cannot at present be stored for long periods: these species' seeds have been described as recalcitrant (Roberts, 1973). Cassava seeds, Manihot esculenta Crantz, have been reported to be recalcitrant because after 6 months storage at laboratory temperature and between 5.9 and 1.9 per cent MC (moisture content, fresh weight basis) germination was reduced from 80 to 28 per cent (Mumford and Grout, 1978). However, from a preliminary examination of cassava seed germination after storage at 6-7 per cent MC, Ellis and Roberts (1979) suggested this classification is doubtful, and this opinion is now supported by a report where cassava seed stored at 5grausC and 60 per cent r.h. (approximately 6-8 percent MC) showed no difference in seed viability between the ages of 0 and 7 years (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, 1979). The purpose of the investigation reported here was to determine whether cassava seed germination and longevity in storage are affected by desiccation.  acassava  agermination  aDesiccation  aManihot esculenta crantz  aSeed viability  aStorage of seeds1 aHONG, T. D.1 aROBERTS, E. H.  tAnn. Bot.gv.47, p.173-175, 1981