Effects of dry storage on germination and survivorship of seeds of four Lonicera species (Caprifoliaceae)

Effects of dry storage under ambient laboratory conditions on germination and survivorship was tested for seeds of four Lonicera species. Fresh seeds of L. fragrantissima and L. japonica were dormant, whereas those of L. maackii and L. morrowii germinated to about 30% at 25/15°C in light. Seeds of L. fragrantissima remained dormant during the entire 24 months of storage. Highest germination for seeds of L. japonica, L. maackii, and L. morrowii were 47, 68, and 50%, respectively, in light after 6 months storage. Decrease in germinability between 6 and 12 months storage for L. japonica and L. maackii, and between 6 and 15 months for L. morrowii was greater than decrease in viability; thus, some seeds reentered dormancy. However, for seeds of L. japonica and L. maackii stored longer than 12 months, decrease in viability was greater than decrease in germinability, indicating that more seeds afterripened than lost viability. Survivorship curves for seeds of all four species were approximately Deevey Type II. A graphical model is presented for the roles of reentrance into dormancy, loss of viability, and afterripening in determining germinability of seeds.