Ooha M, Milkuri Chiranjeeva Reddy*, Mhaiskar Priya Rajendra, Rohith Ravula, Mallavajjala Ramcharan Sharma, Akkenapally Snehanjali and Bojja Harish Babu
Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana 502279
Email: chiranjeevamilkuri@gmail.com
Received-03.12.2022, Revised-14.12.2022, Accepted-26.12.2022
Abstract: The present study was conducted at Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry nursery, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, during 2021-2022. The experiment was laid out incompletely randomized design with nine treatments and three replications. The experiment consisted of nine different pre-sowing treatments for Bombaxceiba seeds viz; Water treatment for 12 hours (T1), Water treatment for 36 hours (T2), Hot water treatment for 6 hours (T3), Hot water treatment for 12 hours (T4), GA3 of 100 ppm for 24 hours (T5), IBA of 100 ppm for 24 hours (T6), 98% Conc. H2SO4 for 1 minutes (T7), 98% Conc. H2SO4for 2 minutes (T8) and Control (T9). Ninety seeds of Bombaxceiba were used for each treatment in three replications and these seeds were sown after treating them with above mentioned treatments on seed bed of 10m x 1m with potting media of soil, sand, and FYM in 2:1:1. The observations such as germination percentage, survival percentage, germination energy and germination period were recorded from the day of germination commencement. Growth attributes such as root length, shoot length, number of leaves, collar diameter was recorded at 45 days’ interval up to 90 days. After 90 days, dry weight of root, dry weight of shoot was recorded for the species after up rooting the seedlings. Amongst all the treatments, Seeds of Bombaxceiba treated with Seed Soaking in Sulphuric acid (H2SO4) at 98 percent concentration for 2 min was found to be superior over the other treatments in respect to seeds germination percentage (83.3%), Germination period (19 days), Germination energy (45.5 %), Survival percentage (93.3%) and Shoot length (20.4 cm), Root Length (17.1 cm), Collar diameter (2.1cm), Number of leaves (27.6), Dry weight of shoot (3g), Dry weight of root (1.6 g) of seedlings. Therefore, for seed treatment of Bombax ceibafor better germination attributes and good seedling growth performance and biomass production, Seed treated with 98% Sulphuric acid @ 2 minutes for Bombaxceiba is recommended.
Keywords: Agroforestry, Bombax ceiba, Germination, Silviculture
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