Abstract: Seed longevity of Hopea mollissima under ambient conditions and the effects of seed maturity, temperature , illumination and soil moisture content on seed germination were studied in this paper , which indicated that the optimum temperature for seed germination was 25℃ though 20 - 30℃ is suitable; Periodic illumination and full darkness made no significant
difference to germination , but seeds germinated best at temperature range of 25 - 30℃ under periodic illumination, or at temperature range of 20 - 25℃ under full darkness; The suitable soil moisture content was 20%- 60% while the optimum one was 50%- 60%; During open storage under ambient conditions, seed germination percentage halved after 10 days and decreased to nil after 16 days . It appears that this species depended on its native habitat strongly . Deforestation and fragmentation are the key causes which endanger Hopea mollissima severely . Owning to recalcitrant properties of its seeds, the protection of this species relies on in-situ conservation supplemented with ex-situ conservation of living plants .

Key words: Hopea mollissima