Influence of storage methods and phytochrome activities on seed germination in jackfruit seeds (<em>Artocarpus heterophyllus</em> Lam.)

Abstract

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) is a rainfed tropical crop in coastal warm and humid climate of India. Though the softwood grafting method is standardized for rapid multiplication nevertheless, due to recalcitrant nature of jackfruit seeds obtaining rootstock for grafting throughout the year is the main constraint. Loss of seed viability in very short period during storage imposes a problem in germination. Storage conditions which prevent water loss are useful for prolonging viability of recalcitrant seeds. Hence, an experiment was undertaken during the year 2017-18 to study seed viability under different storage methods at College of Horticulture, Mulde Tal. Kudal, Dist. Sindhudurg. The experiment consists of eight storage methods and six storage period in factorial randomised block design with two replications. Hundred seeds per treatment per replication was the unit. The study revealed that the process of germination was under the control of phytochrome action and clearly indicated that the conditions of darkness and humidity are essentials for preventing moisture loss and promotion of germination. Storage of seed ether in screw cap bottle or in earthen pot buried in soil was the best for preventing the desiccation and prolonging the seed viability for 150 days. In this context storing the seeds in screw cap bottle appear to be most appropriate where there is no risk of germination of seed within storage container and seeds are kept viable beyond 150 days.