Seed extraction from ripe and unripe fruits of Caper tree and effects of different seed treatments and pot mix on their germination and seedling survival

Abstract

Ripe and unripe fruits of Capertree (Capparis decidua)(Forssk,) Edgew) were collected separately from its natural habitat at SirikHarbour in Hormozgan province in 2001 (June) and rubbed and washed in laboratory to remove their fleshy part. Two separate trials were carried out in nursery to examine the seeds germination and their subsequent seedlings survival. The trials were the same in statistical design - (Factorial under completely randomized plots at three replicates). There were two factors as follows: 1- Seed germination at four levels (control or soaking seeds in water for 12 hours, soaking in sulfuric acid for 30 minutes, soaking seeds in sulfuric acid for 45 minutes and sowing the whole fruit. 2- Pot mix (sand, clay, livestock manure and garden soil) at 11 levels, including control (natural habitat soil( and 10 levels of pot mix rate. There were four pots at each plot. Except at control level of seed germination, the effects of the other treatments on seed germination and seedling survival were significant (p

Keywords

• Capparis decidua
• Seed
• Germination
• Seedling
• survival
• fruit
• Soil