Do the Seeds Pulp and Storage Time Affects Seedling Emergence in the Indian Bay Leaf (Cinnamomum tamala)?

Abstract

Seeds germination in Cinnamomum tamala is supposed to be a critical phenomenon. Possibly the frugivorous birds play key role in its seed germination through ingesting seeds and digesting seeds pulp. Studies were conducted for finding inhibitory role of seeds pulp and effect of storage time on emergence of seedlings in the Indian bay leaf. Promptly after collection and processing the seeds containing pulp (SP) and de-pulped seeds (SD) were sown under nursery conditions. Similar experiments were repeated at the interval of subsequent 15 days and up to 45 days. None of the seedlings were emerged from the SP. Also, as the storage duration proceeds the emergence of seedlings (%) from the SD decreased significantly. Mean emergence time do not showed any definite trend in relation to storage duration. Satisfactory emergence of seedlings under the nursery conditions is still a major challenge in this species. Therefore, tender seedlings emerging under the trees of C. tamala in its habitat are deracinated and stacked by the nursery growers. Removal of seeds pulp and sowing the seeds promptly after collection and processing may be helpful for efficient emergence of seedlings in the Indian bay leaf.