Studies on the Effect of Varying Osmotic Pressures on Water Imbibition by Seeds of Some Tropical High forest Tree Species

Abstract

A study was made of the effect of varying osmotic pressures on the rate and amount of water imbibed by the seeds of three tropical high forest tree species. These are C. pentandra, T. superba and T. ivorensis. Increase in osmotic pressure of the medium where dry seeds are soaked significantly affected the amount of water imbibed. The percentage water imbibed by the seeds of the tree species investigated increased with time until when equilibrium was maintained. The rate of imbibition was faster at 35 °C than at 29 °C or 6-7 °C.