Effect of Pre-sowing Treatments on Germination and Initial Growth of Terminalia citrina: A Medicinal Tree Species in Bangladesh

Abstract

Terminalia citrina (Gaertn.) Roxb. ex. Fleming (local name-Hatiyal) is an important medicinal tree species naturally grown in Sal and hill forests of Bangladesh. An experiment was conducted at the Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, to find out the effects of pre-sowing treatments on germination and vigor seedling production capability. Seeds were treated with six pre-sowing treatments, e.g. T0-seeds without any treatment (Control), T1-seeds soaking in normal water for 24 hours and sown in polybags (24º C), T2-seeds soaking in normal water for 48 hours and sown in polybags (24º C), T3-fruits sown in seedbed, T4-seeds soaking in hot water for 1 minute and sown in propagator house (80º C), and T5-seeds sown in propagator house. Highest germination percentage (95.83%), germination energy (37.5%), and germination value (1.0506) were found in T5 treatment (seed sown in propagator house) and significantly (p<0.05) different from other treatments. Collar diameter and leaf number were recorded after three and four months of seed germination. After 3 months of the last germination, maximum shoot height (46.6 cm) was revealed in T2 (seeds immersed in normal water for 48 hours and sown in polybags) treatment. Collar diameter (6.02 mm) and leaf number (12.6) were recorded highest in T2 treatment. The lowest diameter (4.23 mm) and leaf number (5.8) were found in T4 treatment (seeds soaking in hot water for 1 minute and sown in propagator house). Finally, seeds sown in the propagator house (sand media) revealed comparatively better germination behaviour but low growth performance. Seeds treated with normal water for 48 hours treatment revealed appropriate for vigour and quality seedlings production for T. citrina.