Enhancement in Seed Germination through Pre-sowing Treatments in Cinnamomum glaucescens (Nees) Hand.-Mazz., A Native Tree of Eastern Himalaya, India

Abstract

Cinnamomum glaucescens (Nees) Hand.-Mazz. belongs to family Lauraceae, is an aromatic evergreen tree, prized for its scented timber and fruits which are rich in essential oil commercially. The key challenges of forest establishment are indiscriminate collection methods of fruit and poor seed germination. The aim of this study was to enhance the germination response of C. glaucescens seeds to various pre-sowing treatments. The seeds were collected from mature and healthy trees and sixteen different pre-sowing seed treatments, arranged in a randomized complete block design in nursery bed were applied to analyse their effect on germination. Depulped seeds soaked in 4% hydrogen peroxide in dark for 12 hours significantly (P<.05) enhanced the germination percentage (66.67 %), peak value (0.55), germination value (0.31), germination speed (0.66) followed by seeds treated in 8% H2O2 with 60.56% germination, as compared to others. Therefore, it is suggested to use 4% hydrogen peroxide to promote seed germination rates, that could be useful to propagate C. glaucescens seedlings to satisfy the demands of planting stock.