| dc.description.abstract | Seeds are a fundamental component of the plant life cycle, as they store the genetic
information necessary for the next generation of plants to disperse, establish, develop
and eventually reproduce to maintain the species. In tropical rainforests, there is still
limited information on the physiology of seeds, phenology data, and ecological
perspectives. Most tropical seeds have a short lifespan in soil and become non-viable.
The genus Hopea is the largest genus in the Dipterocarpaceae family and is widely
distributed throughout the Western Ghats, from lowland evergreen forests on the coastal
plains to tropical evergreen forests.
The physiological and biochemical studies provide strong evidence of the hard-to-
process nature of the seeds of Hopea ponga. This is consistent with their quick growth
after falling into damp conditions. The study has also demonstrated that the metabolism
of active sugars, proteins, and lipids increased, along with lipid peroxidation, activities
of free radical scavenging enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase
(PPO), and catalase (CAT), electrolyte leakage, phenolic accumulation, and more
during the drying out of the seeds. These factors further affected the level of enzyme
activities, lipid peroxidation, sugar metabolism, and more. Thus, the active metabolism
and related changes during seed desiccation can be signals for identifying seed viability.
The study suggests that the optimal seed storage conditions should be 20±2°C&40%
RH in closed polycarbonate bottles for H. ponga.
The metabolic imbalances that develop during various treatments can provide valuable
information about the properties of different biomolecules and their functional
behaviour. These imbalances can be considered markers for detecting viability and can
help develop proper conservation measures through seed banking.
The equilibrium of species in natural habitats has been destabilized due to human
encroachment, endemic nature, over-exploitation, recalcitrancy, habitat specificity,
irregular fruiting cycles, and other factors. This study could serve as a model for future
research to better understand the seed physiology and biochemistry of other important
species. Therefore, the study accomplishes the dual goals of conservation and
sustainable utilization, particularly concerning the unique resources found in the
Western Ghats | en_US |
