Seed characterization and germination improvement of important multipurpose legume trees of Islamabad area
2013
Ahmad, R.Z.
Keeping in view the importance of Multipurpose Tree Species (MPT) in livestock production as well as in landscape horticulture, few promising legume tree species suitable for Islamabad area were selected for this study. These included Phulai (Acacia modesta Linn.), Kala Shirin (Albizia lebbeck Linn.), Amaltas (Cassia fistula Linn.), Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Linn.) and Ipil Ipil (Leucaena leucocephala Lam.). Different seed characteristics, viz., flowering time, seed collection time, number of seeds per kg, seed shape, germination, viability, and dormancy were studied. The study of morphology of these species made a comparison between seed characters and germination percentage. Dormancy is a worldwide problem present in legume seeds leading to low germination percentage. Since seed coat dormancy usually occurs in legume trees, the present study was undertaken to overcome the reported low germination. Different pretreatments, i.e., soaking in normal tap water for 24 h, hot water soaking for 2 to 6 h, nicking and acid scarification for 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes were applied for breaking seed coat dormancy in laboratory conditions. The treatments improved seed germination with faster germination rate of the above selected species.
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