Corypha umbraculifera L. is a
monocarpic palm, which usually flowers after 30-60 years of growth.
In C. umbraculifera
seeds are the only propagating unit, but the germination rate is very
low and seeds are highly recalcitrant. In this context, it was
imperative to investigate the desiccation sensitivity, physiological
and biochemical changes accompanying the desiccation and
germination in C.
umbraculifera seeds. Therefore, to
make a detailed study, freshly collected C. umbraculifera seeds were
desiccated at room temperature for a period of 35 d and
physiological and biochemical changes
during desiccation and germination were
monitored at an interval of 7 d. It was observed that there was a sharp
decline in the moisture content of the seed
as desiccation proceeded. As the
desiccation period progressed, the germination
percentage decreased which was below
50% after 35 d. The dry weight
percentage of the embryo and endosperm increased with the desiccation
period and the increase in dry weight of embryo was significant in
comparison with the endosperm. Total protein content of embryo was more
compared to that of the endosperm. Peroxidase activity in the embryo
was increased up to 28 d of desiccation and decreased further. The
endosperm registered a gradual reduction
of peroxidase activity during
desiccation. In contrast, SOD activity in the embryo
was comparatively higher in the fresh seeds and further declined during
desiccation, while that of the endosperm remained almost unaltered. The
results give a strong indication that desiccation
in C. umbraculifera
is accompanied by abundant activity of
peroxidase in embryo, thereby viability is retained up to 35 days.
Whereas, feeble activity of SOD is not seen to be linked with seed
viability of C. umbraculifera.
