GERMINATION STUDIES AND CRYOPRESERVATION OF SEEDS OF BLACK PEPPER (PIPER-NIGRUM L) - A RECALCITRANT SPECIES

Seeds of Piper nigrum showed high moisture at shedding. They withstood desiccation down to 12% moisture content but viability loss increased with reduction in moisture level below 12%. Pepper seeds desiccated to 12% and 6% moisture content were successfully cryopreserved with survival rates of 45% and 10.5%, respectively i.e. 79% and 50% of desiccation control.