SEED STORAGE CHARACTERISTICS AND CRYOPRESERVATION OF GENETIC RESOURCES OF TROPICAL UNDERUTILIZED FRUITS IN INDIA

There is a rich natural diversity of minor, underutilized fruits in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. More than 500 species of fruits are estimated to be found in Southeast Asia while South and Southeast Asia represent above 300 native fruits species. Many of these species are underutilized and yet have multipurpose uses as minor fruits, vegetables and they are used for their diverse medicinal properties. Little research has been undertaken on many of these species and much of their storage biology is unknown and consequently it is difficult to prescribe conservation action. In this paper we report the basic studies on seed germination, seed storage behaviour and cryopreservation of sixteen priority underutilized tropical fruit species from India. Both seeds and embryonic axes were attempted for various storage studies. Seeds of Garcinia indica, Syzygium cumini, Salvadora oleoides and Madhuca indica were found to be highly recalcitrant, while seeds of Emblica officinalis, Pithecellobium dulce, Tamarindus indica and Ziziphus nummularia exhibited orthodox seed storage behaviour. The remaining eight genera namely Aegle marmelos, Buchanania lanzan, Capparis decidua, Carissa congesta, Cordia myxa, Diospyros melanoxylon, Grewia subinaequalis and Manilkara hexandra showed intermediate seed storage characteristics. The paper also reports the successful cryopreservation of many of these species leading to the establishment of a cryobase collection of available genetic diversity of Indian germplasm in the cryogenebank at NBPGR, India.