Seed Characteristics and Germination of a 'Shola' Forest Tree : Bhesa indica (Bedd.) Ding Hou

Germination and storage characteristics of the seeds of Bhesa indica, a Shola species were studied under laboratory condition. When the seeds were stored in perforated polybags for a month, the moisture content decreased from 69.41% to 58.66% and the germination per cent from 76.67% to 13.33% suggesting the highly recalcitrant nature of the seed. The elastic and leathery nature of the tegmen and the lodging nature of the seedlings due to the heaviness of the cotyledons adversely affected the survival of seedlings. Tearing open the tegmen of germinated seedlings mechanically to expose the cotyledons has improved the survival rate. Pretreatment of the seeds with a mild fungicide before sowing is advisable to control fungal infection.