Standardization of seed storage conditions in chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana Wall.): an endangered pine of Hind Kush Himalaya

• Published in: Trees (Berlin, West) Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 1497 - 1501
• Main Authors: Malik, A. R, Shamet, G. S, Butola, Jitendra S, Bhat, G. M, Mir, A. A, Nabi, Gowher
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.10.2013; Springer Berlin Heidelberg; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; bags; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Forestry; germination; jars; Life Sciences; Pinus gerardiana; Plant Anatomy/Development; Plant Pathology; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; plastics; seed storage; Seeds; Short Communication; storage time; Sustainable development; temperature; Tin; viability; Storage and Himalaya; Pinus gerardiana; Chilgoza; Edible; Germinability; Endangered
• ISSN: 0931-1890; 1432-2285
• DOI: 10.1007/s00468-013-0868-y

The seeds of chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana) show moderate germination and not retain better germinability under normal ambient storage. In the present study, five storage containers [polythene bags (C₁), plastic jars (C₂), canvas bags (C₃), earthen pots (C₄) and tin boxes (C₅)] and four temperature regimes (19–22 °C) (room temperature, T₁), 0 ± 1 °C (T₂), −4 ± 1 °C (T₃) and 4 ± 1 °C (T₄) were tested and the suitable seed storage conditions of chilgoza pine to retain viability were standardized. The storage devices preserve and retain viability trend of C₄ > C₃ > C₁ > C₂ > C₅ and T₂ > T₃ > T₄ > T₁ in the species throughout the storage period. However, the interaction treatment (C₄T₂) of earthen pots under 0 ± 1 °C temperature regime maintained significantly (P < 0.05) maximum germinability after 9 months (58.3 %) followed by C₃T₂ and C₄T₃ (47.5 %) as compared to other storage conditions. Notably, a sharp decline in germinability was recorded in seeds stored in tin boxes placed at room temperature. The implementation of these results for conservation management, especially nursery development and sustainable utilization of P. gerardiana in Himalayan region, has been suggested.