Effect of temperature and storage conditions on viability and longevity of recalcitrant (Homoiohydrous) sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. F) seeds

Abstract

The effect of five storage conditions viz., open, closed, partial vacuum, with calcium chloride and silica gel under three temperature regimes of 10o C, 15o C and ambient temperature were observed on freshly collected sal (Shorea robusta Gaernt. F.) seeds. The initial seed moisture content and germination was 45.5% and 100% respectively. Among all the storage conditions, seeds stored at 10o C showed a rapid decline in moisture content upto 10 days. Maximum seed moisture retention was found with storage in closed and partial vacuum conditions at 15o C after 50 days of storage, which also showed maximum viability/germinability (30% and 42% respectively). Statistically significant interaction was observed between storage temperature and storage period. Slow desiccation leads to good storage and longevity of seeds.