Germination biology of bauhinia monandra Kurz : effect of chemical and growth performance in different soil types

Abstract

Germination studies on the seeds Bauhinia monandra Kurz were carried out. Seeds were subjected to various treatments like scarification with sand paper, treatment with boiling water, 70% FhSCU, HC1, HNCb, methanol and seed extract. Effect of soil depth, and soil types on germination %, relative growth rate and biomass were also studied. The germination was found to be epigeal. Chemical treatment with methanol and scarification with sand paper resulted in 100% germination. Soil depth of 4 cm and sandy soil with a pH of 7.5 i 0.1 were found to be ideal for high percentage germination of B. monandra (60 ± 9.9 and 60 ± 11.5 respectively). Seedling abnormalities like curled and knotty roots were recorded. There was a definite correlation between pod-length and number of seeds per pod.