Vol. 8, Issue 8 (2019)

Author(s):
Anshu Dhaka and Pradeep Chaudhary

Abstract:
The seeds of Sapindus trifoliatus showed 100 percent viability as tested with Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TZ test). The electrical conductivity of the seed lechate was also observed to find out the integrity of membranous system of seed. The low ions leakage value (0.045 – 0.067µmho cm-¹) of EC also indicated the high level of intactness of membranous system and viability of the seeds. Sapindus genus usually undergoes physical or physiological dormancy. The seeds of Sapindus trifoliatus exhibited complete dormancy i.e. no germination when placed on wet filter paper under favourable condition showing the high level of seed dormancy. Seed germination increased through various seed treatments such as mechanical scarification, hot water, acid treatment and chipping plus chemical treatments (GA₃, KNO₃ and Thiourea). The exposure of seeds to hot water at 70 ⁰C for 60 minutes recorded 10 - 12% germination, seedling vigour (10.0 – 11.0), vigour index (100-132.0) and speed of germination (1.60 – 1.81) as compared to 10, 30 min. and control. The seeds treated with 25% conc. H₂SO₄ recorded higher germination percentage (70-75) as compared to other scarification treatments. The maximum germination percentage (85-95), vigour index (1394.0-1463) and speed of germination (19.7–20.2) were recorded with 0.5% KNO₃ soaked seeds followed by the mechanical scarification (chipping +200 ppm GA₃ (24 hr soaking).