EFFECT OF PRE-SOW1NG TREATMENTS ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF ACACIA NILOTICA WILLD

摘要

A total of 123 treatments comprising of scarification, chemical and chilling treatments were evaluated to break the dormancy and enhance the seedling growth of Acacia nilotica Willd Concentrated sulphuric acid for 40 minutes and mechanical scarification enhanced the germination substantially. Seeds treated with hot water for 48 hours and alternate wetting and drying for 5 cycles also improved the germination. These treatments aiso increased seedling growth and dry weight considerably. However, maximum increase in seedling growth and dry weight was observed when the seeds were treated with 500 ppm solution of CuSO_4 for 48 hrs Soaking seeds in salt solutions and growth regulators (other than ethanol 100%) resulted in a lower germination but increasedseedling growth and dry weight in comparison to control.