An Account of Fruit and Seed Morphology, Germination and Seedling growth of Four Species of Salacia L

Seeds are the most effective and thriving propagation material of Salacia. As part of ex-situ conservation programme, four highly sought Salacia species, viz., Salacia brunoniana Wight & Arn., Salacia fruticosa Wall. Salacia malabarica Gamble and Salacia oblonga Wall. through fruit, seed and seedling characterization was carried out. For this, phenology and morphology of fruits and seeds with reference to polymorphism were documented. Effect of fresh and desiccated moisture content especially that of critical moisture were tested to understand the extent of viability of seeds. Since, these species became threatened in their natural habitat; attempts were made to standardize their seed germination characters and seedlings were raised. Seedling characters along with seedling vigour were documented up to 6 leaf stage and also an identification key was made based on their seedling characters which would aid in the demarcation of the species at their juvenile stage.