Seed Germination Performance in Syzygium Travancoricum Gamble a Critically Endangered Species of Southern Western Ghats

Abstract

The seeds of Syzygium travancoricum and survival of seedlings in natural habitats was observed in detail and recorded as lower than 2%. Detailed investigations on seed germination of this taxon revealed that the rate of germination fluctuate 2% to a maximum 8% under normal natural conditions. However, 70-80% germination has been achieved by soaking in monocrotophose 36% solution (50 ml in 1500 ml water). It is observed that the percentage of germinations was varied from 5%-80% accordance with different concentration levels of monocrotophose solution between the temperature from 280C to 320C temperature and at varied humidity from 75% to 85%. The optimum temperature and humidity for seed germination of Syzygium travancoricum was found as 30±20C and 80 ±5 %.