INFLUENCE OF SEED INITIAL MOISTURE CONTENT, STORAGE CONDITION AND TIME OF STORAGE ON SEEDLING GROWTH STAGES OF COFFEE (COFFEA ARABICA L.)

Coffee is one of the most important agricultural products in international market and many countries are involved its production, trade or consumption. Arabica coffee self-pollinated, homozygous, normally propagated by seeds. Seeds have been considered intermediate storage behavior with varying results. It highly desirable that seeds stored safely to optimize seedling production at appropriate time season. The objective this study was evaluate effect temperature, initial seed moisture contents on early performances determine handling method. In experiment, influence content four levels (12, 17, 22 & 27%) two temperature (15oC ambient), six (sowing after each month upto 6 months) growth stages were studied a split-split-plot factorial design. data collected subjected ANOVA. environment cold (15oC) accelerated parameters much better than did ambient condition. All tested faster storage. After third quality drastically reduced especially under dried 12% showed delayed performance throughout trial period. 27% took shorter days reach different but when aged days. Storage significant main interaction effects level (17 22%), sown times resulted enhanced growth. concluded drying 17% 22% kept relatively lower temperatures for not more months performance.