Effect of storage period, container and temperature on germination in Albizia lebbeck

Abstract

Albizia lebbeck is a multi-purpose, fast-growing, medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading crown. It is a valuable timber species which is used for furniture, flooring, veneer, paneling, carving, posts, and a variety of agricultural implements. Its leaves are uses as fodder, mulch and green manure. Due to insect attacks, its seeds get damaged during storage in ordinary conditions. Hence, the present study was carried out to study the effect of storage containers and temperature on seed germination in laboratory and nursery condition at different intervals. The different treatment were comprised of storage container and temperature viz., B1T1- Poly bag - Room temperature (15-400C), B1T2 - Poly bag-BOD(25 0C), B1T3 - Poly bag- Refrigerator (5 0C), B2T1 - Paper bag-Room temperature(15-40 0C), B2T2 - Paper bag- BOD(250C), B2T3 - Paper bag-Refrigerator, B3T1 - Cloth bag-Room temperature (15-400C),) B3T2 - Cloth bag- BOD (250C) and Cloth bag- Refrigerator (5 0C). Seed germination tests were conducted at various intervals viz., 15 days after seed collection and thereafter at 60 days interval up to 600 days. Results revealed that 72 % of seed germination was recorded in fresh seeds and thereafter seeds germination decreased in all the storage treatments. However, after 600 days of storage period, the maximum seed germination percent (40.0+2.54) was recorded in B1T3 (Poly bag-Refrigerator) followed by B2T3 - Paper bag-Refrigerator. The present study conclude that the seeds of Albizia lebbeck can be stored for longer period in polybag or paper bag at 5o C.