Abstract
In this paper, seed morphology and effects of pre-sowing treatments were studied. Matured seeds of the species were collected from healthy trees in the National Botanical Garden, Bangladesh, and treated with five pre-sowing treatments. The average length, breadth and thickness were found to be 0.56±0.03 cm, 0.44±0.009 cm and 0.26±0.008 cm in Albizia richardiana King and Prain, and 1.32±0.02 cm, 0.55±0.04 cm and 0.11±0.002 cm in Lagerstroemia speciosa L., respectively. Germination was carried out in polybags with a mixture of topsoil, coconut husk compost, coarse sand and fine sand in a ratio of 3:4:1:1. Results revealed that the germination rates of seeds in different pre-sowing treatments were significantly increased compared to those in cold-water treatment in both species. The highest germination rate was found to be 96% in hot-water treatment followed by 87%, 83% and 49% in treatments with scarification, H2SO4 and control in A. richardiana, respectively. However, the highest germination rate (79%) was found in H2SO4 treatment followed by 64%, 62% and 25% in treatments with hot water, scarification and control in L. speciosa, respectively. The lowest germination (35% in A. richardiana and 20% in L. speciosa) was found in cold-water treatment in both cases. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the significant difference among the treatments for both species. It is concluded that hot-water treatment is recommended for seed germination of both species in rural Bangladesh.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahamed F U, Das S, Hossain M A (1983). Effect of seed treatment on the germination of Rakta kombal seeds. Bano Biggyan Patrica, 12(1 & 2): 62–65
Alamgir M, Hossain M K (2005). Effect of pre-sowing treatments on Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth seeds and initials development of seedlings in the nursery. Journal of Forestry and Environment, 3: 53–60
Ali M, Akhter S, Kamaluddin M (1997). Study on the bearing of water treatment on seed germination and seedling growth study of Albizia procera. Indian Forester, 123(8): 764–768
Azad M S, Islam M W, Matin M A, Bari M A (2006a). Effect of pre-sowing treatment on seed germination of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. South Asian J Agric, 1(2): 32–34
Azad M S, Matin M A, Islam M W, Musa Z A (2006b). Effect of presowing treatment on seed germination of Lohakath (Xylia kerrii Craib & Hutch.). Khulna University Studies, 7(2): 33–36
Bachelard E P (1967). Role of seed-coat dormancy in Eucalyptus pauciflora and E. delegtensis seeds. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 147–154
Banik H (1992). Nurserytay kut, full and folair chara uttolon koushol (in Bengali). (Nursery technique of different timber, flower and fruits species) Dhaka, Bangladesh
Bhardwas S D, Chakraborty A K (1994). Studies on time of seed collection, sowing and pre-sowing treatments of Terminalia bellirica Roxb. and Terminalia chebula Retz.. Indian Forester, 120(5): 430–439
Catalan L A, Macchiavelli R E (1991). Improving germination in Prospis flexuosa D.C. and P. alba Griseb. with hot water treatments and scarification. Seed Science and Technology, 19: 253–262
Duncan D B (1955). Multiple ranges and multiple F-tests. Biometrics, 11: 1–42
Khan B M, Koirala B, Hossian M K (2001). Effect of different presowing treatments on germination and seedling growth attributes in Ghora Neem (Melia azedarach L.). Malaysian Forester, 64(1): 14–21
Khasa P D (1992). Scarification of limba seeds with hot water, bleach and acid. Tree Planters Note, 43(4): 150–152
Kobmoo B, Hellum A K (1984). Hot water and acid improve the germination of Cassia siamea Britt. seeds. The Embryan, 1(1): 27–33
Koirala B, Hossain M K, Hossain M S (2000). Effects of different presowing treatments on Adenanthera pavonia L. seeds and initial seedling development in the nursery. Malaysian Forester, 63(2): 82–91
Matin M A, Islam M S, Azad M S (2006). Seed germination, seedling growth and rooting of branch cuttings of DalbergiasSissoo Roxb. Khulna University Studies, Special Issue (Ist Research Cell Conference) 83–87
Matin M A, Rashid M H (1992). Seed morphology, germination and seedling survival of Albizia trees in the nursery. Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science, 21(1 & 2): 40–45
Palani M, Dasrhgir M G, Kumaran K. (1995). Effect of pre-sowing chemical treatment on germination and seedling growth in Acacia nilotica. International Tree Crop Journal, 8: 189–192
Schmidt L (2000). Guide to handling of tropical and subtropical forest seeds. Danida Forest Seed Centre. Humlebaeck, Denmark
Teketay D (1996). The effect of different pre-sowing treatments, temperature and light on the germination of five senna species from Ethiopia. New Forest, 11: 155–171
Troups R S (1921). The Silviculture of Indian Trees. Volume-II. Silvicultural Systems. Oxford: Oxford Science Publication, Clarendon Press
Yadav J P (1992). Pretreatment of teak seed to enhance germination. Indian Forester, 11(2): 260–264
Zabala N Q (1990). Silviculture of Species. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Azad, S., Paul, N.K. & Matin, A. Do pre-sowing treatments affect seed germination in Albizia richardiana and Lagerstroemia speciosa?. Front. Agric. China 4, 181–184 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11703-010-0100-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11703-010-0100-4