CRYOPRESERVATION OF DESICCATED SEEDS OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS.) FOR GERMPLASM CONSERVATION

Abstract

Among tree species, immensely valued for timber and medicine,
neem (Azadirachta indica) is extremely important. Neem seeds, inspite
of possessing some typical features of recalcitrant seeds like short life,
high moisture content (about 46%) at the time of shedding and possessing
endocarp which played a significant role in germination and desiccation
responses, showed orthodox nature in terms of desiccation and
freezing sensitivity. Seeds showed desiccation tolerance upto 4 per cent
and freezing tolerance at 196°C for seeds desiccated between 18.5 per
cent and 4 per cent moisture level. Cryopreservation, the technique of
storage of germplasm at the ultra low temperatures of liquid nitrogen
(196°C) can