Development of Aquilaria Agallocha roxb. seeds: Acquisition of germinability, desiccation sensitivity and storage response

Studies were undertaken on the development of the recalcitrant seeds of Aquilaria agallocha. Continuous increase in seed dry weight was observed till the time of fruit shedding. The seed acquired germinability at 50 DAA and full germinability was attained at 59 DAA. With the progress of maturity, desiccation tolerance increased, though the tolerance to water loss was not varied so much after the attainment of full germinability. At very early stage of development (41 and 50 DAA) slight reduction in seed moisture content induced germination. Only fully matured seeds were capable to retain viability for few months, if stored at shedding moisture content.