Fraxinus micrantha, a multipurpose tree species in the Indian Himalyan Region (IHR) has reportedly poor regeneration status and high mortality in the early stage of seedling development that causes vulnerability for plant existence in the natural geographical locations. The aim of this study was to investigate the storage potential of F. micrantha and to formulate the methodology for in situ conservation of the seed germplasm of the species. The laboratory experiments have investigated the germination response of Fraxinus micrantha seeds to short storage conditions in hermetically sealed containers at 6% moisture content at 5ºC. Initial germination of the seeds was recorded as 90%. The viability of the stored samaras was tested quarterly upto a period of 28 months. Germination parameters such as Mean Germination Time, Germination value, Peak value and Germination Index of the species were measured as per the standard methods. Mean Germination Percent (GP) of stored seed varied between

Conservation, germination, mean germination time, germination value, short-term seed storage.

In the present study seed of Fraxinus micrantha stored for short-term storage period were tested at every quarter of the year to analyze the germination behaviour and germination parameters. Study concludes that, short-term seed storage at 6% moisture content at 5ºC ± 1ºC storage temperature did not have significant reduction in viability in terms of GP, MGT, and GV while a substantial positive pattern in germination parameters were observed from fresh seeds to stored seeds, many times. The seeds of F. micrantha exhibited good storage potential for conservation of the genetic resources of the species for short to medium-term. The study concluded that seed monitoring intervals in ex situ seed germplasm conservation of F. micrantha can also be extended to six months interval (desiccated 6% moisture content, 5ºC ± 1ºC temperature) during short-term storage which can also reduce the monitoring time and human resources required for it. The seeds of Fraxinus micrantha exhibited good

Thapliyal, M. Namitha, N. K., Kumar, A., Rathore, K., and Dangwal, S. (2021). Effect of Short-term Storage Conditions on Seed Germination of Fraxinus micrantha. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 13(2): 320-324.