Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

PHYSICAL AND GERMINATION MATURITY INDICES IN SEEDS OF HONEY LOCUST (GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS VARIETY INERMIS)

Shah Asif, K.N. Qaisar and Mushtaq Ali

Abstract

Honey locust a valuable exotic multipurpose broad leaved tree species well suited for temperate condition of Kashmir valley. Since Kashmir valley witnessed an adoptable place for the alien MPTs for a long time. The Propagation of imported species surely depends upon the scientific scale of know – hows in order to florish the nursery crop in such a way to become the permanent flora of Kashmir valley. The present study was taken into work for, arresting the deterioration of our forest resources to maintain the ecological balance and simultaneously meet the ever increasing demands of the people for uninterrupted supply of fuel wood, fodder and mitigate the arising pressure on our traditional forests. The investigation conducted in the faculty of forestry, SKUAST- K Shalimar Srinagar during the year 2009 – 10. The results were manifested upon the mean values of the year 2009 and 2010. The seeds were collected from mid of July till their maturation at an interval of 15 days and were subjected to germination test, specific gravity, moisture content, seed weight, change in seed/ fruit colour and pod dimensions. The physical maturity indices of seeds judged through different collection intervals each at a gape of 15 days. The mean range values of pod length (cm), pod width (cm), specific gravity, seed weight (g/100 seeds) and moisture content (%) were recorded as 22.16 to 39.82 SEm ± 0.38, 2.00 to 3.52 SEm± 0.28, 1.10 to 0.88 SEm ± 0.08, 46.34 to 46.05 SEm± 0.28 and 77.34 to 6.25 SEm±0.38 respectively. The Pod and seed colour changed from green to different colour changes through various developmental stages of collection intervals and turned into dark brown at maturity and remained same for subsequent collection periods. Germination maturity of seeds recorded pertaining to Germination percentage (%), Germination energy (%), Germination speed and Germination value. The mean range values of 1st to last collection period for above attributes were registered as 0.00 to 40.80 SEm ± 0.30, 0.00 to 8.91 SEm ± 0.23, 0.00 to 19.91 SEm±0.19 and 0.00 to 4.43 SEm±0.21, respectively. The best time for seed collection was 1st week of October (6th collection interval) when most of the values of physical and Germination parameters were highest. The colour of pods and seeds were dark brown. The present investigation proved that seeds should be collected at 1st week of October when the colour of pods and seeds are dark brown indicating their maturity.