SHAMET, G.S.SECU, VISAKOLIE2017-05-092017-05-092013http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810010829ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Studies on pre-sowing seed treatment on germination and seedling growth of Melia composita Willd” was conducted in nursery and laboratory of the Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan-173230 (HP) during 2011-2012. For experiment the depulped fruits were graded into small (S 1 ), medium (S2 ) and large (S3 ) size on the basis of length and were subjected to nine presowing treatments. Pre-sowing treatment involved both laboratory and nursery experiments laid out in completely randomized design and randomized block design (factorial) respectively, replicated thrice, to determine the most suitable pre-sowing treatments for germination and growth parameters. It was evident that medium sized fruit (S 2 ) excelled all other grades in germinability parameters under laboratory condition. The fruits treated with conc H2SO 4for 20 minutes (T8) registered significantly maximum germination (81.85 %), germination capacity(85.93 %), germination energy (70.37 %) and germination index (4.23) under laboratory condition. Under nursery conditions however, large sized fruit proved to be statistically superior in germination and growth behaviour. The large sized fruit treated with conc H2SO 4 for 20 minutes (S3T8) produced significantly maximum germination (78.89 %), seedling height (135.10 cm), collar diameter (16.52 mm), dry seedling weight (70.05 g), stock quality index (7.37) and survival (73.18 %) in the species. In second experiment the fruits were subjected to four stratification duration and three temperature treatment under nursery conditions in randomized block design (factorial). The experiment revealed that fruits stratified at 0 ± 1 0 C for four weeks (M3D4) produced significantly better germination (67.78 %), seedling height (123.42 cm), collar diameter (16.36 mm), dry seedling weight (61.46 g), stock quality index (6.83) and survival (64.48 %) and hence recommended for production of quality stock in the species.ennullThesis