Seed dormancy and Storage Behavior of Strychnos potatorum-A Fast Depleting Tree resource

As a first step to develop an ex-situ conservation strategy, the seed storage behavior of the species was studied. The initial moisture content of mature seeds was 37.14 per cent with a germination of 56 per cent. Freshly matured seeds had physiological dormancy which could be overcome by use of GA₃ when germination was enhanced to 81 per cent. Seeds did not tolerate desiccation and lost viability. Storage of fresh seeds in wet vermiculite helped retain seed viability for only ten days beyond which viability declined rapidly. Considering seed size, shape, weight, moisture content and inability to withstand desiccation the storage behaviour of S. potatorum seed is predicted as recalcitrant with simple non-deep morphophysiological dormancy.