This study was carried out to determine the effects of packaging materials and storage periods on seed quality and longevity dynamics of an endangered tropical tree species, Pericopsis elata. The experimental period was December, 2015 to June, 2016. Seed collection was done at the Bobiri Forest Reserve. The seed storage experiment was set up using 3 x 6 factorial arrangements in Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Six packaging materials (jute, nylon, paper, ziplock bag, airtight bottle and no packaging) and three storage periods (no storage, three months storage and six months storage) were used. Germination percentage, seed vigour, 1000 seed weight, moisture content, carbohydrate, protein and oil contents were assessed before storage, three months and six months after storage. P. elata seeds with initial moisture content of 7.5% and packaged in airtight bottle and ziplock bags maintained their moisture contents even as storage periods increased. The initial amounts of seed carbohydrates (1.9%), proteins (37.4%) and oil (31.3%) were maintained in the airtight packaging materials (bottle and ziplock bag) thereby improving seed storability. The seed viability equation predicted that P. elata seeds could be stored for 243 years after six months of storage. Seed viability dropped to 164 days after the accelerated aging test was performed on the six-months old stored seeds. The study concluded that the seeds of this important endangered tree can be stored in airtight containers before the next planting season without any loss in seed quality.

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