Achievement:
• The findings of the project revealed that second fortnight of November is the best time for collection of Juniperus polycarpos seeds and second fortnight of October is the best time for collection of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides seeds.
• The best treatment for overcoming seed dormancy in Juniperus polycarpos is the 60 days cold moist stratification in cow dung. The seeds stratified in cowdung and placed in pits for 60 days duration during winter recorded 70% germination in the nursery. The germination studies conducted to find out the appropriate presowing treatment in Fraxinus xanthoxyloides seeds revealed that soaking of seeds in Gibberellic Acid1500ppm for 24 hours is the best treatment for overcoming seed dormancy and getting maximum germination before sowing in the nursery. The seeds treated with GA3 1500ppm recorded maximum 74% germination.
• Seed storability studies conducted to find the suitable storage container and storage environment for storing seeds of Juniperus polycarpos revealed that air tight moisture-proof polysac containers under low temperature (<50C) in refrigerated condition is the best storage container and storage environment for maintaining seed longevity. The seed stored under such condition retains more than 70% viability after one year of storage and 55% viability after two and half years of storage.
• Similarly in Fraxinus xanthoxyloides also, air tight moisture-proof polysac containers under low temperature (<50C) is the best storage container and storage environment for maintaining seed longevity. The seeds stored under such condition retains > 80% viability after one year of storage and >70% viability after two and half years of storage period.