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ABSTRACT
Schleichera oleosa or the Indian lac tree is one of the major lac host tree in India. Its fruits are edible and seed kernels yield an oil which has many industrial uses. due to its importance the forest departments and the lac cultivators are promoting the plantation of the species, but its typical germination and storage behaviour may pose some problems in its propagation. The study deals with understanding germination and storage behaviour as well as devising suitable pretreatments to enhance the germination of seeds. The seeds at the time of maturation and fall had low germination capacity (15%) which increased to 74% upon dry storage at ambient temperature for two months due to after-ripening. Mechanical scarification (removal of seed coat) proved to be best pretreatment resulting in highest (92%) and fastest germination as against 60% in untreated seeds. seeds tolerated desiccation to 7.2% moisture content and chilling (+50c) maintaining 72% viability after six months in storage. Seeds exhibited orthodox storage physiology. The results contribute to knowledge about germination and storage behaviour of the species and can be utilized for propagation and conservation of the species.