STUDIES ON SEED VIABILITY, GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF MINOR FRUIT PLANTS

Seed viability, germination and seedling growth of seven minor fruit plants (tamarind, jackfruit, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium jambos, aonla, annona and wood apple) were studied at the Department of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore. In all the minor fruit plants the percentage of seed germination was highest when fresh seeds were subjected for germination compared to stored seeds, the viability of seed decreased gradually with the increase in storage period. Seedling growth, fresh and dry weight and vigor were found to be maximum in the fresh seeds, than in stored seeds. The seed viability study revealed that tamarind seeds were viable up to 270 days, jack seeds up to 150 days, S. cumini - 150 days, S. jambos - 150 days, aonla seeds - 90 days, annona seeds - 150 days and wood apple seeds up to 90 days under ambient conditions.