Effect of temperature on seed development in jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider). I. Dry matter changes

doi:10.1071/AR9840685

Effect of temperature on seed development in jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider). I. Dry matter changes

IF Wardlaw and RL Dunstone

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 35(5) 685 - 691
Published: 1984

Abstract

Growth of the capsule and seed of jojoba were followed from pollination to maturity at eight temperature regimens ranging from 15/10 to 36/31¦C (8/16 h; photoperiod 16 h). There was an initial lag before the onset of rapid (linear) seed development, during which the capsule expanded, and this lag varied from 106 days at 15/10¦C to 7 days at 36/31¦C. The wax concentration in the seed was low during the initial stages of development, but reached a maximum when the seeds were 70-75% of their final dry weight. The maximum rate of dry matter accumulation in the seed increased with temperature up to 33/28¦C but, because of the longer growth period at low temperature, seed size at maturity was greatest at 18/13¦C. The current work suggests that prolonged periods with temperatures above 36/31¦C, or below 15/10¦C would be harmful to the development of jojoba seed. The high optimum temperature for growth rate of the seed (33/28¦C) and sensitivity to a temperature of 15/10¦C, puts jojoba into the same group as many subtropical species. However, the lower optimum temperature for seed weight at maturity (18/13¦C) is close to that observed for the temperate cereals.