Seed pattern, germination and viability of some tree species seeds from Girnar Reserve Forest of Gujarat

Abstract

A study was carried out on seed characteristics of nine different tree species of six botanical families for germination and viability during three years, 2008–2009, 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. Average germination percentages after 5, 10 and 20 days were 27.22, 55.56 and69.44 % for all nine species. Highest germination percentage was recorded in two species of bombacaceae, viz., Bombax ceiba (95 %), followed by Ceiba pentandra L(30 %). Rest of the species showed less than 30 % ger-mination after 5 days of incubation. After 20 days, seedling length was highest in B. ceiba, followed by Leucaena leucocphala with values of 16.20 and 16.05 cm, respectively. Average seedling vigor index (SVI) was 59.08 after5 days, which increased regularly with values of 479.38 and 865.11 after 10 and 20 days. Highest SVI was recorded in B. ceiba, following by Sterculia urens at all the stages after 5, 10 and 20 days. Average viability was 91.22 % among all species, with highest value of 94 % for Albizia lebbeck. Two species, viz., C. pentandra and Delonix regiaexhibited lowest viability of 80 %. Root length/shoot length (RL/SL) ratio decreased with age from 9.86 at 5 days after germination to 0.75 and 0.52 at 10 and 20 days after germination, respectively. In general seeds were recalcitrant type. Knowledge on germination, pattern and viability is not only important for understanding community process but also for framing strategies for conservation 3 of biodiversity and restoration of forests.