Bigleaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) seeds in Taiwan exhibit orthodox storage behaviour

The storage behaviour of Swietenia macrophylla King seeds (Meliaceae) was studied. Seeds that were dried to 3.7% moisture content and stored at 3°C for two years had a 82.7% germination. The two-year stored seeds were then transferred to -196°C and -20°C for continued storage for another one and two years, respectively. Result showed that seeds stored at either -20°C or -196°C retained their original germinability. Thus, seeds of S. macrophylla harvested in Taiwan exhibit orthodox storage behaviour.