Abstract
The seeds of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. are economically important to the forestry as well as the food oil in India. The freshly harvested seeds of Shorea robusta lost their germinabilities (germination ability) 10 days after harvest at room temperature (25°-30°C) . However, the seeds could be kept in viable condition for two months after harvest at cool temperature (10°-12°C) . Under this chilling condition, the seeds were entered in dormant state (secondary dormancy) which maintains the seed longevity for a longer period. The water uptake and the germination of the seeds, which are classified into categories 1, 2, 3, and 4 from morphological characters, show that cool temperature is one of the criteria to induce the secondary dormancy due to altering the seed membrane from permeable to impermeable. Based on the results of this study, it is possible to preserve the seed viability for a longer period of time which will help the plantation of this economically important plant.
