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Effect of Pre-sowing Treatment on Seed Germination and Seedlings Growth Attributes of Acacia Catechu Willd. in Nursery and Field Conditions

M. Rafiqul Haider
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box No - 273, Chittagong 4000, Bangladesh

Md. Sah Alam
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, P.O. Box No - 273, Chittagong 4000, Bangladesh

M. Akhter Hossain
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The germination percentage of Acacia catechu Willd. seeds were tested with four pre-sowing treatments in the nursery of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute and growth performances of seedlings were determined both in nursery and field conditions. The germination test was conducted both in germination tray and nursery bed filled with mixture of soil and decomposed cow dung at a ratio of 3:1. The growth performance of seedlings were determined by transferring the 30-45 days old young seedlings from germination bed to polybags filled with soils and cow dung, followed by out planting in the field at six months old. Germination percentage was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by pre-sowing treatments and highest germination percentage (80- 81) was obtained in cold water treatment for 24 hours and the lowest (62%) was in control. The survival percentage of seedlings was highest (88%) at 2.0 m x 2.0 m spacing in the field and the average height was more than 2.0 m after 24 months of outplanting. Therefore, pre-sowing treatment of Acacia catechu seed in cold water for 24 hours is suggested for nursery raising and six months old seedlings may be planted at 2.0 m x 2.0 m spacing in the field for successful plantations of the species.

Keywords: Acacia catechu, Pre-sowing treatment, Germination percentage, Survival, Seedlings growth

Location: The nursery of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Chittagong, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-06-2010

End Date: 00-12-2013

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Tree, Seedling

Objectives:

To investigate the effects of pre-sowing treatment on seed germination and seedling growth of Acacia catechu in the nursery and field condition.

Methodology:

The study area: The study was carried out in the nursery of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Chittagong, Bangladesh over a period of three and half years from June 2010 to December 2013. The geographic position of the study area is situated between 22 022 .27″ and 22 029 .0″ North latitude and 91 046 .30″ and 91 046 .30″ East longitudes. The climate of the study area is tropical in nature and characterized by hot humid summer and cool dry winter. The maximum and minimum temperature in the area varies from 28.3-31.9 0C and from 15.2-25.2 ⁰C. Mean annual rainfall is around 3000 mm mainly occurred from June to September. Seed collection and growing media The seeds were collected from 15-20 years old mature healthy trees from Charkhai Forest Research Center, Birampur, Dinajpur in January. Seeds were dried in the sunlight for 2-3 days and stored in air tied poly bag. The collected seeds were sorted out to remove the discolored and damaged seeds. The number of seeds per kilogram was 25000-30000. The germination trial was carried out by sowing seeds in germination trays filled up with soil mixed with decomposed cow dung at the proportion of 3:1 by volume. Seeds were sown in the tray at the depth of 0.5-1.0 cm. Experimental Design and pre-sowing treatments The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. To determine the effect of pre-sowing treatment on seed germination and seedling growth attributes, four different treatments were applied. The treatments were i) Soaking in cold water for 24 hours, ii) Soaking in cold water for 48 hours, iii) Soaking in hot water (100 0C) for 30 second and iv) Control (seeds were sown without any treatment). Assessment of seed germination and seedling growth performance The effects of pre-sowing treatments on germination of seeds and seedling growth were explored periodically through counting the germinated seeds and assessing initial growth performance of seedlings. Cumulative germination was recorded in every alternate day of sowing and continued till ending the germination (17 days after sowing the seeds). The germination phase like imbibitions period was determined by counting the number of days required for the commencement of germination from the day of sowing and the germination period was the number of days required for completion of germination from sowing the seed. Assessment of seedling growth performance in the nursery and field To determine the seedling's growth performance in the nursery and field, healthy seeds were first sown in the nursery bed with cold water treatment for 24 hours. When the seedlings were about 30-40 days old (with 2-4 leaves), they were transferred to the polybags (23 cm x 15 cm in size) filled with soil mixed with cow dung (3:1). The polybags were kept under full shade for one week and then placed under direct sunlight and allowed them to grow there. When the seedlings were about six months old, 225 seedlings were out planted in the field at the beginning of the monsoon (June- July). Equal number of seedlings (225), were allowed to grow in the nursery for one and half year more. Data on shoot length, root length and leaf number of these seedlings were also recorded at three months, six months, twelve months and twenty-four months after transferring them in polybags. Data Analysis: All data were analyzed with computer software IBM SPSS ver. 21 to determine the significant (p ≤ 0.05) variations among the treatments. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) were carried out to analyze the data.

Source of Information: International Journal of Latest Research in Science and Technology, Volume 3, Issue 4: Page No.214-219, July-August 201; ISSN (Online):2278-5299

Article Link (Online Journal): https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269875859

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Pre-sowing treatment of seed plays vital role to enhance the seed germination under nursery conditions. Among the pre-sowing treatments, the best treatment of A. catechu was found cold water treatment for 24 hours. Pricking of seedlings at the age of 30-45 days after sowing of seeds from nursery bed to polybags ensures least mortality of seedlings. Survival of seedlings and growth performance in the field was satisfactory when six months old seedlings were out planted at 2.0 m x 2.0 m spacing.

Knowledge Management: Journal