Effect of scarification methods on different forest seeds

Abstract

A study describes various pre-sowing treatment attributed to the seed germination and seedling growth of seeds such as Terminalia chebula (Gaertn.) Retz., Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Santalum album L., Tamarindus indica L by different methods of scarification to determine the germination percentage, germination rate and germination period of seeds. These seeds were collected from IFGTB, Coimbatore in the month of January 2021 respectively. The effects of depulping and soaking period on seed germination and seedling growth performance were explored. The fastest seed germination and highest germination percentage was observed in acid scarification(T4) followed by coconutwater treatment(T3) and rice water treatment(T2) and delayed germination with lowest percentage was observed in mechanical scarification(T4). Growth parameters including shoot length and root length were also maximum and significantly higher in the same treatment compared to others. Considering the practicability of the nursery raising technique for the species, the best treatment option obtained in this study was soaking the five types of seeds in concentrated acid such as 10% of con sulphuric acid for one hour. Since, the acid treatment for a particular period of time is easily applicable and cost effective, the treatment may be recommended for large scale seedling productions in the nurseries.