Dynamics of Water Relations and Recalcitrant Behaviour of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Seeds

In order to study the desiccation sensitivity and water relations pertaining to recalcitrant behaviour of jackfruit seeds which contain very high MC (50%), the seeds were stored in different storage conditions like room-open (30±2°C), room-polythene (30±2°C) and refrigerator (4-8°C). The moisture content and germination percentage were determined at regular intervals of storage. During open air storage, these seeds remained viable only for 12 days and the moisture content was decreased resultantly the viability was lost when the MC reached below a critical level (32%). Room-polythene storage was found to be more effective since the seeds remained viable for about four months. In refrigerator-storage also viability was retained up to about four months. The data confirmed the recalcitrant nature of jackfruit seeds and interpreted in terms of distribution of moisture content superimposed with viability loss and metabolic changes that occur during storage.