Influence of Seed Dormancy, Viability and Different Pre-Sowing treatments on Germination and Seedling Vigour of Bauhinia Purpurea Linn.

Abstract

The study aimed at investigating the seed dormancy, viability and effect of pre-sowing treatments on the germination and seedling vigour of Bauhunia purpurea seeds. The pre- sowing treatments were made up hot water treatment, electronic scarification, different concentration of Sulphuric acid, H2O2, KNO3, CaOCl2, Thoiurea along with control. Viability test were conducted after pre-sowing treatment along with control. The treated and control seeds were placed for germination in sand media. Results on viability test revealed that there was no significant difference on viability (96.60-97.70%) between the treatments tried. An twenty one days after sowing the result revealed that seeds soaked with hot water at 80oC for 10 minutes registered highest germination of 81 per cent followed by seed treated with CaOCl2 2% for 12 hrs (78%) and H2SO4 200ml/kg for 25 minutes (78%). The control seeds gave only 48 per cent germination. Vigour index values shows significant differences among the treatments. The highest vigour index values of 925 were recorded in the seeds soaked in hot water 80oC for 15 minutes. The lowest vigour index value of 384 was recorded in control treatment. The results showed that hot water soaking was the most effective, cheapest and environmentally safe pre-sowing treatment for the germination and seedling vigour of Bauhunia purpurea seeds.