Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Germination and Vigour of Reetha (Sapindus laurifolius)

Maximum limit for abstract is 200-400words. It should be in Times New Roman, 10 fornt size. An investigation pertaining to "Effect of pre-sowing treatments on germination and vigour of Reetha (Sapindus laurifolius Vahl.)" was carried out during the year 2013-14 at the Nursery, Department of of Forestry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola with objectives to study the suitable pre-sowing seed treatment for enhancing germination and to study the effect of different seed treatment on seedling vigour. In the experiment Sapindus laurifolius seeds were treated with ten different treatments viz. control, mechanical scarification (rubbing of seed coat by sand paper), soaking treatment in cold water for three durations viz., 12, 24 and 48 hours, soaking in hot water at 80 degrees c for 5 minutes, soaking in gibberellic acid (GA(3)) at dual concentration of 200 and 300 ppm for 12 hours, the scarification treatment with 20% H2SO4 for 3 and 6 hours with three replication. The results of investigation indicated that, in the various seed treatments, the seed treated with acid treatment prior to sowing gave maximum germination percentage. In respect of growth parameters viz., root length (cm), shoot length (cm), seedling vigour index, collar diameter (mm) and dry matter content (g) of seedling significantly superior in seed treated with by acid treatment followed by acid treatment (dipping in 20% H2SO4 for 3 hrs) and cold water treatment.