Validating the Viability of Melia volkensii Stored Seeds and Nuts in Promoting Nature-Based Enterprises and Conservation in Drylands, Kenya

The development and supply of superior germplasm are important for promoting tree planting. Kenya has lost many tree seed sources through deforestation, land degradation, forest encroachment and conversion of agricultural land to housing. Nevertheless, limited access to tree seeds of high quality is the major constraint to sustainable tree production in Kenya and proper information on the storability of extracted seeds needs to be improved. Melia volkensii tree species is highly valued in the drylands of Kenya for tremendous roles in social-economic, ecological, and environmental protection and conservation. This experiment aims at determining the viability test of Melia seeds stored as nuts over one year and the effect they will have on seed germination. Furthermore, the research investigates the conducive environment that would favour the storage of Melia seeds to improve their viability status. The experiment showed that Melia seeds stored at room temperature and a temperature of 4 degrees centigrade had higher germination capacities compared to Melia seeds stored at a temperature of -20 degrees centigrade. The peak average germination speed was 2.11, with a germination value of 3.99. Significant (p-value ≤ 0.001) differences were observed in the germination capacities between Melia stored as seeds and nuts for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh germinations (p-value ≤ 0.05). From the study, Melia stored as seeds at a temperature of 4 degrees centigrade had the highest marginal germination capacity. This study provides the best information for the storage and handling of Melia seeds in maintaining their viability