SEEDBANKS OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN PROTEACEAE

The international protea cut flower industry was developed from the use of seed as a source of plant material. Clonal propagation of selected plants, either within species or of interspecific hybrids has largely replaced seed plantations. This has improved the inherent genetic quality of the plants, but brings about questions regarding the long-term conservation of genetic resources of the commercially important genera and species. Field genebanks are necessary to maintain specific, useful genotypes, but the cost of plant maintenance and the limitations on size seriously limit the quantity of genetic resources that can be stored. Seed storage is relatively cheap, but in Proteaceae the exact requirements for maintenance of seed viability are still unknown. Genera such as Leucospermum have long lived seeds, whereas serotinous species of Protea and some Leucadendron have short lived seeds. Seed germination results of seeds harvested at monthly intervals after flowering showed very variable results, however much of the seed germinated well after one year. It is also important to keep Proteaceae seed dry in sealed containers, while keeping them cool.

V International Protea Research Symposium

A. Robyn, G.M. Littlejohn, H. Allies

achenes, genebank, seed germination, seed storage, Protea, Leucadendron

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2001.545.2