Informatics Publishing Limited

T. Sabu , C. Anilkumar , A. Sham , Nabeesa Salim , Louis Jesudass , N. Mohanan , P. N. Krishnan

Abstract

Seed studies of an endemic and vulnerable tree species, Humboldtia decurrens from Southern Western Ghats, were conducted to develop methods for propagation and germplasm conservation. Influence of ecological factors in the development of seeds were experimentally studied and found that those seeds of lower altitudes usually excels. Recalcitrant nature of the seeds was revealed by sensitiveness of seeds to loss of 10% moisture content and to chilling temperatures of 10 °C. Reduction of initial moisture content from 42% to 30% and subsequent storage in closed polycarbonate bottles at controlled conditions (20°C/20% RH) could prolong the viability of the seeds up to 4 months compared to few weeks in natural conditions. Germination trials at nursery level indicated the preference of seeds to mist chamber where maximum germination percentage and germination index of 68 and 1.9 respectively, were registered.

Keywords

Humboldtia decurrens, Spatial Influence, Seed Germination and Storage

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P. A. Jose , Jacob Thomas , P. N. Krishnan

Abstract

Ochreinauclea missionis (Wall ex G. Don) Ridsd. is an extremely rare and threatened medicinally important tree, endemic to Western Ghats. Vegetative propagation of the plant was tried using stem cuttings treated with auxins (IAA, IBA and NAA) during summer, monsoon months and air layering in order to develop promising propagation methods to aid for its conservation. Soft cuttings treated with IBA at a concentration of 1000 ppm during monsoon and air layering during August-October were found to be ideal methods of vegetative propagation of the species.

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