Seed study of Syzygium palodense (Myrtaceae), an endemic tree of the southern Western Ghats, India

Abstract

Syzygium palodense Shareef, E.S.S. Kumar and Shaju (Myrtaceae), an endemic and edible fruit tree of southern Western Ghats, is currently listed as rare in its natural habitat. Seeds are found to be the most promising and thriving propagation material. Hence as part of ex-situ conservation and species popularization of the plant, through seed/gene bank, seed studies were carried out. In this context, phenology and morphology of fruits and seeds along with photographs were documented; seed desiccation and viability studies were carried out along with the effect of fresh and desiccated moisture content on seed viability especially that of critical moisture content to recognize the extendable seed longevity. Studies were also carried out to standardize seed germination characters for raising sound seedlings.