Enhancement of seed germination in Chironji (Buchanania lanzan Spreng) through physical and chemical treatments

Abstract

Germination is one of the main problems in plant propagation propagated by seed. A clear understanding of seed germination and dormancy helps in plant propagation and conservation of germplasm. Due to the very hard seed coat on chironji seed makes it an impermeable to imbibition and gases exchange resulting in low germination and vigour. In present investigation, chironji seeds were treated with different physical and chemical treatments. The fastest and highest germination percentage was recorded in the treatment of alternate wetting (24 hrs.) and drying (12 hrs.) of seed (86.7%) followed by 3 days dipping in water (81%). Based on the present study, it can be suggested that increased rate of imbibition and inducing cracking on hard seed coat would be the most effective way to enhance the seed germination in chironji; alternate wetting and drying of seed and seed dipping in water were the easiest, economic and most reliable treatments for enhancement of chironji seed germination.