Effects of the altitude of seed origin and storage on the germination of three Terminalia species, Garhwal Himalaya, India.

摘要

The effects of the altitudinal range of seed source and storage on germination of Terminalia bellirica (Gaertner) Roxb., T. chebula Retz. and T. tomentosa (Roxb.) Wight and Arn were investigated by collecting seeds of each species from 8 sites covering an altitudinal range of 450-1000, 820-1350 and 640-1400 m asl, respectively. * Seed weight of T. bellirica was inversely correlated with altitude, whereas that of T. tomentosa was positively correlated with altitude. * Seed weight was inversely correlated with germination percentage for T. bellirica and T. chebula, but positively correlated for T. tomentosa. * Germination percentage was positively correlated with altitude in T. chebula and T. tomentosa. * Germination at 25 degrees C constant temperature in all 3 Terminalia species, gave average percentages of 91, 96 and 87% respectively for T. bellirica, T. chebula and T. tomentosa. * Germination percentage of all species was inversely correlated with length of storage. Storage at 4 degrees C did not improve retention of viability over that at room temperature.