An Account on Some Endemic Seeds of Southern Western Ghats

A good collection of seeds symbolizes rich biodiversity and being viable, they signalize the continuity of life and prosperity of a nation. India, is bio-rich in terms of species holdings. In India, policies like Seed bill 2004, ascertain right over indigenous seeds. Seed listing based on their prevalent status is a basic requisite for conservation. The Seed bank of Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) maintains 4000 seed accessions including 1055 active; 35 base and remaining reference collections as precious futuristic germplasm holdings. Thirty seven seed samples were enlisted on the basis of their systematic and conservation status. Twenty seven species are found to be recalcitrant; eight of them orthodox while two of them are intermediate type. Though the seed recalcitrance is preeminent, certain specific habitat adaptive traits favour extended storage. Case study reported on Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) Robson indicated the prevalence of coat imposed physical dormancy. Role of three testa layers which could be evaded by mechanical scarification for enhancing the six month 74% initial germination rate to more than 90% within two months also compliment the durability of seeds. In brief, seeds can be categorized in a way to enable stored accessions remain viable for futuristic breeding programmes.

Keywords: Dormancy, ecological adaptations, endemic, fruits, horticultural crops, recalcitrant, seed bank, survivability, Western Ghats.