XVI International Botanical Congess

An experiment was conducted to investigate seed viability in mulberry (Morus alba L.) an important tree in sericulture industry since its leaves are exclusively eaten by morisilk worms. Seeds were stored at room temperature, at 25?C, and at 5?C. Viability was tested monthly by germination on wet filter paper in petriplate. Fresh seeds showed 90% viability. At six months viability was 51% and 55% at room temperature and 25?C respectively, whereas at 5?C it was 79%. Viability decreased steadily for seeds stored at room temperature and 25?C, whereas at 5?C the decrease was less. After one year the seeds kept at room temperature and at 25?C showed viability of 12% and 22% respectively, while seeds kept at 5?C had a viability of 65%. Experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of growth regulators on seed viability. Seeds were treated for 5h with three concentrations of Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Indole butyric acid (IBA) were used (100, 500 and 1000 ppm) each. When year-old seeds kept at room temperature were treated with GA3 (500ppm) and IBA (100 ppm) seed viability was 32% and 20% respectively, confirming that decrease in viability due to long term storage can be restored to some extent by growth regulators like GA3 and IBA in mulberry.