Research Article | Published: 01 March 2010

Seed maturity indices for four multipurpose forest tree species of India

Neeraj Khera

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 33 | Issue: 1 | Page No. 41-47 | 2010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2010-X5AW5G | Cite this article

Abstract

The study was carried out to develop maturity indices for seeds of four important multipurpose tree species in North India viz. Acacia catechu Willd., Acacia nilotica Willd., Albizia lebbeck Benth., and Tectona grandis L. We suggest that a composite seed harvest index that combines several fruit and seed parameters may be a useful in predicting better seed germination in the species studied. Thus, for achieving maximum seed quality, seeds of A. catechu should be harvested during the second week of January when the seed and pod moisture is 20-23%, 100-pod weight is approximately 23 g, and the seed colour changes from greenish-brown to light brown. The best period for harvesting good quality seeds of A. nilotica is the second fortnight of June when the pod and seed moisture is 5-6% and 100-pod weight is approximately 6 g. A. lebbeck pods should be collected during the last week of February when the seed and pod moisture is approximately 10%, 100-pod weight is approximately 10 g, the pods have not yet started to split, and the seed colour changes from light brown to dark brown. In T. grandis the suitable period for fruit harvest is the first fortnight of March when the 100-fruit weight is between 35-40 gm, the fruit moisture is approximately 14%, and the fruits become lighter in colour.

Keywords

Multipurpose tree species, Seed parameters, Harvest index, Physiological maturity, Germination, Seeds

Access Options

250/-

Buy Full Access in HTML Format

Instant access to the full article.

Get access to the full version of this article. Buy Full Access in HTML Format

References

1. Abdul-Baki, A. A. and Baker, J. D. (1973). Are changes in cellular organelles or membranes related to vigour loss in seeds. Seed Sci. & Technology, 1: 89-125.

Google Scholar

2. Allen, G. S. (1958). Factors affecting the viability and germination behaviour of coniferous seed maturity Tsuga heterophylla (Rafn.) Sarg.  For. Chronicles, 34: 266-274.  https://doi.org/10.5558/tfc34266-3

3. Bewley, J. D. and Black, M. (1985). Seeds: Physiology of Development and Germination. pp. 367, Plenum Press, New York  https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1747-4

Google Scholar

4. Bedell, P. E. (1989). Preliminary observations on variability of Teak in India. Indian Forester, 115: 72-81.

Google Scholar

5. Bedell, P.E. (1998). Seed Science and Technology: Indian Forestry Species. pp 346, Allied Publishers, New Delhi.

Google Scholar

6. Ching, T. M. (1960). Seed production from individual cones of grand fir (Abies grandis Lindl). Jour. of For., 58: 959-961. 

Google Scholar

7. Cram, W. H., and Worden, H. A. (1957). Maturity of white spruce cones and seed. For. Sci., 3:263-269.

Google Scholar

8. Czabator, F. J. (1962). Germination value: an index combining speed and completeness of Pine seed germination. For. Sci., 8: 386-396.

Google Scholar

9. Edwards, D. G. W. (1980). Maturity and quality of tree seeds: a state-of-the-art review. Seed Sci. and Techno., 8: 625-657.

Google Scholar

10. Ellis, R. H. Hong, T. D. and Roberts, E. H. (1987). Comparison of cumulative germination and rate of germination of dormant and aged barley seed lots at different constant temperatures. Seed Sci. and Techno., 15: 717-725.

Google Scholar

11. Ford-Robertson, F. C. (1971). Terminology of Forest Science and Products. Multilingual Forestry Terminology Series No.1. Society of Amer. For. Washington, D. C.

Google Scholar

12. Fowells, H. D. (1949). An index of ripeness for sugar pine seed. US Forest Service, California. For. and Range Experi. Station Res. Notes, 64: 1-5.

Google Scholar

13. Harrington, J. F. (1972). Seed storage and longevity. In: Seed Biology (ed. T. Kozlowski), pp. 145-245, Academic Press, New York.   https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-395605-7.50009-0

Google Scholar

14. Heit, C. E. (1961). Abnormal germination during laboratory testing in coniferous tree seed. Proc. ISTA, 26: 419-927.

Google Scholar

15. ISTA (1985). International Rules for Seed Testing. Rules and Annexure. International seed Testing Association. Seed Science & Technology, 4: 3-177.

Google Scholar

16. Jacqueline, A., Selvaraj and Ramaswamy, K. R. (1984). Studies on pod and seed maturation in Daincha (Sesbania aculeata Poirs). Seed Res., 12(1): 19-23.

Google Scholar

17. Khera, N and Saxena, A. K. (2008). Effect of presowing treatments on germination and seedling growth of Tectona grandis. Indian Jour. of For., 31(2): 181-186.

Google Scholar

18. Krugman, S. L. (1966). Artificial ripening of sugar pine seeds. U. S. For. Service Res. Paper. PSW, 32: 1-7.

Google Scholar

19. Mahadevan, N. P. (1991). Phenological observations of some forest tree species as an aid to seed collection. Jour. of Tropi. For., 7(3): 243-247.

Google Scholar

20. Maki, T. E. (1940). Significance and applicability of seed maturity indices for ponderosa pine. Jour. of For., 38: 55-60.

Google Scholar

21. Manohar, M. S. and Sachen, S. C. P. (1974). Pod development and germination studies on Pea (Pisum sativum). Vegetable Sci., 1: 22-30.

Google Scholar

22. Matyas, V. C. (1972). Möglichkeiten der Fruhernte in Weisskiefer- Samenplantagen. (The possibility of early harvesting in Scots pine seed orchards.) Silvae Genetica, 21:191-193.

23. Pandit, A., Pant, K., and Jeet Ram (2004). Effect of collection date on capsule moisture content and germination of Populus ciliata Wall. ex Royle from central Himalaya. New Forests, 23(2): 121-130.   https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015694310479

Google Scholar

24. Pogoda, G. (1962). The influence of harvesting time on the germinability of Douglas fir seed. Allgemeine Forstzeitschrift 17:283. (Forestry Abstracts, 23:5061.)

Google Scholar

25. Rediske, J. H. and Nicholson, D. C. (1965). Maturation of noble fir seed - a biochemical study. Weyerhaeuser Forestry Paper, 2: 1-15.

Google Scholar

26. Rediske, J. H. (1969). Effect of cone picking date on Douglas fir seed quality. For. Sci., 15: 404-410.

Google Scholar

27. Schmidt, L. (2000). Guide to Handling of Tropical and Sub-tropical Forest Seed. ISBN 87-982428-6-5, DANIDA Forest Seed Center.

Google Scholar

28. Sharma, D. P., Bhardwaj, S. D. and Natiyal, R. K. (1996). Effect of seed collection time and tree vigour on germination and growth of Acacia catechu Willd seedlings. Range Manag. and Agroforestry, 17(1): 75-80.

Google Scholar

29. Singh, V. and Sah, V.K. (1994). Effect of collection date on germination and seedling growth in West Himalayan Banj Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus). Van Vigyan, 32(4): 75-79.

Google Scholar

30. Singh, V., Singh, O., and Sharma, H. P. (1986). Germination of Silver fir (Abies pindrow) seed as affected by moisture stress. Indian Jour. of For., 9: 293-295.

Google Scholar

31. Troup, R. S. (1986). The Silviculture of Indian Trees. Vol. II, pp 783, International Book Distributors, Dehra Dun

Google Scholar

32. Varnell, R. J. Squillace, A. E. and Bengtoson, G. W. (1967). Variation and heritibility of fruitfulness in Slash pine. Silva Genetica, 16: 125-128.

Google Scholar

33. Willan, R. L. (1985). In A guide to forest seed handling with special reference to the tropics. FAO Forestry Paper, FAO, Rome, 20/2.

About this article

How to cite

Khera, N., 2010. Seed maturity indices for four multipurpose forest tree species of India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 33(1), pp.41-47. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2010-X5AW5G

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 March 2010

Share this article

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: