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ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION
Care is necessary in the collection of seeds, which should preferably be collected off the trees when
thoroughly ripe and not off the ground. In Sudan, however the fruits are collected from below the trees
within a day or two of their fall and spread not more than 5 cm deep on mats in light shade to dry for
4-5 rainless days; there is then no risk of fermentation when the fruits are stored in sacks. The seed
does not retain its viability for more than few months; its viability servicing independently falls off
rapidly after 2 weeks. Loss of viability appears due to and is certainly accompanied by, the
fermentation of the unopened cotyledons inside the inner seed case. A practical method of testing a
sample of seed is the examination of the cotyledons by opening the inner case and cutting the seed
across. If the cotyledons are green, the seed is good and will germinate, but if they have turned brown
or yellowish, it is not likely to germinate.
thoroughly ripe and not off the ground. In Sudan, however the fruits are collected from below the trees
within a day or two of their fall and spread not more than 5 cm deep on mats in light shade to dry for
4-5 rainless days; there is then no risk of fermentation when the fruits are stored in sacks. The seed
does not retain its viability for more than few months; its viability servicing independently falls off
rapidly after 2 weeks. Loss of viability appears due to and is certainly accompanied by, the
fermentation of the unopened cotyledons inside the inner seed case. A practical method of testing a
sample of seed is the examination of the cotyledons by opening the inner case and cutting the seed
across. If the cotyledons are green, the seed is good and will germinate, but if they have turned brown
or yellowish, it is not likely to germinate.
In an experiment carried out at the Forest Research Institute (FRI). Dehra Dun, in 1939, neem seeds
(with the skin removed and pulp fully cleaned off) having an initial germinative capacity of 86% were
stored in gunny bags and sealed tins and tested weekly. The germinative capacity of the seeds store
in sealed tins fell below 50% of the original figure from the third week. Seeds stored in gunny bags,
however, gave germination capacity over 50% of the original value up to the fifth week and did not
become completely infertile until the end of the length week of storage. In tests made in Tamil Nadu,
seeds remained fertile up to two months after storage in airtight tins, in pots with wood ash and in
gunny bags.
Neem seeds are collected for neem oil from June-August in rainy season and about 3,330 seeds
weigh one kilogram. The seeds do not require any special pre-treatment, but should be sown fresh
as soon as possible after collection. Experiments carried out at the Forests Research Institute, Dehra
Dun, indicate that depulping and cleaning the seed (so that it becomes white) considerably improves
the percentage of germination. Cleaning is easy as the pulp rots quickly. Similar experiments carried
out in Tamil Nadu indicate that depulping of the seed before sowing and passing the seed through
birds is beneficial. Soaking the seeds in cold and hot water does not improve the germinative capacity.
(with the skin removed and pulp fully cleaned off) having an initial germinative capacity of 86% were
stored in gunny bags and sealed tins and tested weekly. The germinative capacity of the seeds store
in sealed tins fell below 50% of the original figure from the third week. Seeds stored in gunny bags,
however, gave germination capacity over 50% of the original value up to the fifth week and did not
become completely infertile until the end of the length week of storage. In tests made in Tamil Nadu,
seeds remained fertile up to two months after storage in airtight tins, in pots with wood ash and in
gunny bags.
Neem seeds are collected for neem oil from June-August in rainy season and about 3,330 seeds
weigh one kilogram. The seeds do not require any special pre-treatment, but should be sown fresh
as soon as possible after collection. Experiments carried out at the Forests Research Institute, Dehra
Dun, indicate that depulping and cleaning the seed (so that it becomes white) considerably improves
the percentage of germination. Cleaning is easy as the pulp rots quickly. Similar experiments carried
out in Tamil Nadu indicate that depulping of the seed before sowing and passing the seed through
birds is beneficial. Soaking the seeds in cold and hot water does not improve the germinative capacity.