Investigation of Desiccation Sensitivity of Seeds of S. guineense

Desiccation sensitivity of seeds and ethnobotany of S. guineense (Willd.) DC. ssp. afromontanum (Myrtaceae) were investigated based on both field and laboratory experiments. The field study component includes identification of tree, ethnobotanical data and seed collection. The germination percentage declined significantly following desiccation until none of the seeds germinated at 24% moisture content. The germination percentage was declined slowly from 99% (initial) to 78% at 37% moisture content. There was an abrupt loss of germination percentage from 78% to 16% below 37% moisture content. The result has shown that seeds are very sensitive to desiccation which exhibited that the species could be classified as tree with recalcitrant storage behaviors. It was also investigated that at all age group the local people have considerable indigenous knowledge about this tree and its use as construction material, timber, fuel wood, charcoal making, local medicine and as wild edible fruit have been recorded. In addition to having desiccation- sensitive seeds, the plant has been locally threatened with high degree of exploitation with no actions of conservation.