Cryopreservation of desiccated seeds of neem (Azadirachta indica A. juss.) for germplasm conservation

Among tree species, immensely valued for timber and medicine, neem (Azadirachta indica) is extremely important. Neem seeds, inspite of possessing some typical features of recalcitrant seeds like short life, high moisture content (about 46%) at the time of shedding and possessing endocarp which played a significant role in germination and desiccation responses, showed orthodox nature in terms of desiccation and freezing sensitivity. Seeds showed desiccation tolerance upto 4 per cent and freezing tolerance at 196°C for seeds desiccated between 18.5 per cent and 4 per cent moisture level. Cryopreservation, the technique of storage of germplasm at the ultra low temperatures of liquid nitrogen (196°C) can thus be utilized for long term conservation of neem germplasm.