Effect of temperature on seed development in jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis (Link) Schneider). I. Dry matter changes

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Abstract
Growth of the capsule and seed of jojoba were followed from pollination to maturity at 8 temperature regimens ranging from 15.degree./10.degree. to 36.degree./31.degree. C (8/16 h; photoperiod 16 h). There was an initial lag before the onset of rapid (linear) seed development, during which the capsule expanded, and this lag varied from 106 days at 15.degree./10.degree. C to 7 days at 36.degree./31.degree. C. The wax concentration in the seed was low during the initial stages of development, but reached a maxium when the seeds were 70-75% of their final dry weight. The maximum rate of dry matter accumulation in the seed increased with temperature up to 33.degree./28.degree. C but, because of the longer growth period at low temperature, seed size at maturity was greatest at 18.degree./13.degree. C. The current work suggests that prolonged periods with temperatures .apprx. 36.degree./31.degree. C, or below 15.degree./10.degree. C would be harmful to the development of jojoba seed. The high optimum temperature for growth rate of the seed (33.degree./28.degree. C) and sensitivity to a temperature of 15.degree./10.degree. C, puts jojoba into the same group as many subtropical species. The lower optimum temperature for seed weight at maturity (18.degree./13.degree. C) is close to that observed for the temperate cereals.