Effect of seed source and pre-sowing treatment on seed germination of Quercus serrata Thunb
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Date
2017-07
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College of Forestry, Ranichauri Campus, V.C.S.G. Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar
Abstract
Quercus is an economically and ecologically important genus of family fagaceae consists of
tree or shrubs either deciduous or evergreen found growing in the central Himalaya between 1000-
3600 masl (Champion and Seth, 1968). Recent reports reveal that there are several biotic and abiotic
factors which are directly affecting the natural regeneration of these valuable species (Pandey, 2013)
Irregular fructification, habitat loss, viviparous seed germination, animal grazing, seed consumption
by wild animals, less availability of viable seeds, seed boring by worms, lopping of fine branches for
fodder and seed borne diseases are some major threats. Understanding germination behaviour of
these species is crucial to meet the demand of better quality seedlings in the required demands.
Therefore this present study examined the effect of thirteen pre-sowing treatments and three
different temperature effects on germination, growth behaviour and biomass production of Quercus
serrata Thunb. For the present study, seeds of Quercus serrata were collected from Champhai
(Mizoram), Ngur (Mizoram) and Senapati (Manipur) and experiment were carried out in College of
Forestry, Ranichauri. Some of these collected seeds were given different pre-sowing treatment i.e.
Scarified, stratified, acid treatment, soaking in cold water, the combination of scarified, and stratified
of different duration and some were kept under control temperature in germinator with 15oC, 20oC
and 25oC to see their effect on seed germination, growth attributes and biomass production.
Among all the pre-sowing treatment given, scarified along with stratification for 20 days
show the highest germination percentage in all the three seed sources while the lowest germination
percentage was observed in control i.e without any treatment. Among the three temperatures
examined, highest germination percent was found in 25o C in all the three seed sources. The present
study concluded that there was no definite relationship between seed sources effect on seed
germination but have significant effect on growth character and biomass production whereas presowing treatment has a direct effect on germination, growth character and biomass production on
seedlings of Quercus serrata.
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