Skip to main content
Log in

Effect of growing media on seed germination and vigor in biofuel tree species

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Forestry Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To evaluate laboratory germination media, seed germination rates and methodology for both Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata were counted in different germination medium, such as river sand, quartz sand and vermiculite. The seeds of both species were sown at 2-cm depth of river sand, quartz sand and vermiculite. We evaluated methodologies of seeds of J. curcas and P. pinnata by ISTA (International Seed Testing Association). The results showed that river sand is the best medium for tree seeds planted at 2-cm depth of River sand. Vermiculite was second best. On paper media, there were many abnormal seedlings and this media were unsuitable for germination of the larger seeds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdul-Baki A, Anderson JD. 1973. Vigour determination in Soybean seed by multiple criteria. Crop Science, 13: 630–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bahar N, Singh VRR. 2007. Influence of Media on Germination and Vigour of Mesua ferrea Linn. The Indian Forester, 133(11): 1475–1480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahar N. 2008. Effect of media on seed germination of Cupaniopsis anacardioides (A. Rich.) Radlk. Indian Journal of Forestry, 31(1): 137–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahar N. 2010. Effect of Media on Germination and Vigour of Moringa oleifera Lamk. The Indian Forester, 136(5): 635–640.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahuguna VK, Rawat MMS, Joshi SR, Maithani GP. 1987a. Studies on the viability, germination and longevity of Terminalia myriocarpa seed. Journal of Tropical Forestry, 3(4): 318–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahuguna VK, Sood OP, Rawat MMS. 1987b. Preliminary studies on the germination behaviour of Adhatoda vasica seeds. An important shrub for regeneration of Sub-Himalayan wastelands. Indian Forester, 113(6): 256–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniel JN, Hegde NG. 2007. Tree-borne oilseeds in agroforestry. In: D.M. Hegde (Ed.), Proceedings of the National Seminar on Changing Global Vegetable Oils Scenario: Issues and Challenges before India. India Hyderabad: Indian Society of Oil seeds Research Publication, pp. 263–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Docker BB, Hubble TCT. 2008. Quantifying root reinforcement of river bank soils by four Australian tree species. Geomorphology, 100(3–4): 401–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egharevba RK, Ikhatua MI, Kalu C. 2005. The Influence of seed treatments and growing media on seedling growth and development of African walnut, Plukenetia conophorum. African Journal of Biotechnology, 4(8): 808–811.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta PC. 1993. Handbook of seed testing. New Delhi: Quality Control and Research Development, p. 243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassanein Anber MA. 2010. Improving seed germination and seedling growth of some economically important trees by seed treatments and growing media. Journal of Horticultural Science and Ornamental Plants, 2(1): 24–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISTA. 1976. International Rules for Seed Testing. Rules and Annexures, International Seed Testing Association. Seed Sci and Technol, 4:3–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISTA. 1999. International rules for seed testing. Seed Sci and Technol, 27: 369–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • ISTA. 2007. International Rules for Seed Testing. Bassersdorf, Switzerland: ISTA News Bulletin, 133: 1–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maguire JD. 1962. Speed of germination — aid in selection and evaluation for seedling emergence and vigour. Crop Science, 2: 176–177.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panse VG, Sukhatme PV. 1985. Statistical Methods for Agricultural Workers. New Delhi: ICAR, p. 347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sagta HC, Nautiyal S. 2001. Variation in Germination of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Seeds under Different Media and Osmo conditions. The Indian Forester, 127(12): 1371–1376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thapliyal RC, Rawat MMS. 1991. Studies on the germination and viability of seed of two species of Himalayan Alders (Alnus nitida and A. nepalensis). Indian Forester, 117(4): 256–261

    Google Scholar 

  • Vilela AE, Ravetta DA. 2001. The effect of seed scarification and soil media on germination, growth, storage and survival of seedlings of five species of Prosopis L. (Mimosaceae). Journal of Arid Environments, 48: 171–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhe J, Perona P, Francis R, Molnar P, Burlando P. 2009. An experimental comparison of silica gel and quartz sand grains as sediment media for growing vegetation at the laboratory scale. Aquatic. Sciences, 71: 350–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Mariappan.

Additional information

Project funding: This study is supported by National Oil seeds and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD), Board (Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Agriculture and Co-operation) and Government of India, Gurgaon (Haryana).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mariappan, N., Srimathi, P., Sundaramoorthi, L. et al. Effect of growing media on seed germination and vigor in biofuel tree species. Journal of Forestry Research 25, 909–913 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-014-0484-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-014-0484-8

Keywords

Navigation