Effect of storage containers, temperatures and periodson seed germination of Acacia nilotica (L.): a multipurpose tree of arid and semi-arid region

Abstract

Acacia nilotica (L.) commonly known as babul is a multipurpose nitrogen fixing tree of tropical and subtropical regions. It provides timber, fuel, shade, food, fodder, dye and gum. Seed maturity indices were studied and seeds collected during 2nd week of June (5th collection) resulted maximum germination (85.2+0.46 %). At this stage, the colour of pod and seed was yellowish white and brownish black, respectively.In ordinary storage conditions, seeds get damaged due to insect pest attacks. Hence, a study was conducted to standardize the optimum seed storage conditions for getting maximum germination.The seeds were stored up to 600days in different containers at different temperaturesviz. poly bag at room temperature 15-400C (B1T1), poly bag at BOD250C (B1T2), poly bag at refrigerator 50C (B1T3), paper bag at room temperature 15-400 C (B2T1), paper bag at BOD 250C (B2T2),paper bag at refrigerator 50 C (B2T3), cloth bag at room temperature 15-400 C (B3T1), cloth bag at BOD 250C (B3T2) and cloth bag at refrigerator 50 C (B3T3). The results revealed that seeds stored for 15 days in poly bag at refrigerator 50C(B1T3) recorded the maximum germination of 85.2 % and 81.12 % in laboratoryand field conditions, respectively.The seed germination decreased with advancement of storage period in all the storage treatments. However, after 600 days of storage period, the maximum seed germination (59.1%) was recorded in B1T3in laboratory conditions.The seeds stored in poly bags as well as in cloth bags and stored in refrigerator gave maximum germination in laboratory and field conditions. Hence, it may be concluded that the seeds ofA. nilotica can be stored either in poly bag or in cloth bag in refrigerator at 50 C for long term storage to get maximum germination.