Seed Technology in High Altitude Conifers with Special Reference to Temperate Conifers of Kashmir Valley

Abstract

Seed is essential in the regeneration of forests. It is the primary method used by conifers to reproduce ,maintain genetic variability , and become established on appropriate sites. Seed ge rmin ation of mosttemperate conif erous species is inhibited by seed dormancy . Conifer seeds generally have physiologicaldormancy and this can be overcome by co ld stratification at 2°C-5°C, some conifer seeds may require onemonth or less cold stratification to overcome dormancy. Seed dormancy in many conifers such as Abies alba ,Abies pindro w, Abies proc era , Pi cea smithiana , Pinu s densiflora and Cedrus deodara can be overcome by coldstratification and over wintering for varying periods of time from 21 to 90 days . The duration of coldstra tification required to overcome physiological dormancy of the seed from different populations maydiffer in seve ral species. The conifer trees are spo radi c in nature in their seed production, the good seedyear occur in conifers after lon g intervals. So it is important to collect the abundant quantity of healthyseed s in good seed year and then sto re them und er favourable conditions for the use in the lean seed years.Successful storage to a lar ge exte nt depends on maintaining seeds at are below critical moisture content(5 %-9 %) and toring at l ower or below-freezing temperatures.