STUDIES ON GERMINATION AND CRYOPRESERVATION OF CARDAMOM (ELETTARIA-CARDAMOMUM MATON) SEEDS

Seed germination in cardamom improved significantly after acid treatme nts and water washings; above 85% germination could be achieved within 90 days of plating for seeds either treated with 25% nitric acid or w ater-washed for 24 days. Cardamom seeds possessing 7.7 to 14.3 percent moisture content were successfully cry opreserved and showed more tha n 80% germination when tested after one year storage in vapour phase o f liquid nitrogen (at -150 degrees C).