Achievement:
• It was found that the Deodar seeds stored in refrigerator (<4.0o C) retained almost 50% viability even after one year of its storage, which further reduced to 44 per cent after 18 months when stored in refrigerator under the same temperature. Storage of seeds in other types of containers those were used as storage environments showed total loss of viability in the species over a period of time.
• Seeds of Picea smithiana retained more than 55 per cent of viability even after one and a half years of their storage whereas in case of Abies pindrowaround 70 per cent of viability was lost over a period of one and a half years when stored under different storage environment/ containers.
• Maturity indices studies in Moru Oak (Quercus dilatata) was undertaken and it was found that the optimum time of collection of acorns under temperate conditions of higher hills of Shimla district (H.P.) was first week of August.
• In Ribes orientale seeds trials to overcome seed coat dormancy when performed, the treatment of concentrated H2SO4 for 1 minute followed by washing and 24 hours soak in cold water recommended; whereas in Hippophae tibetana seeds do not require any pre-sowing treatment and also do not lose their viability even after one year in ordinary storage conditions