Effect of different pre-sowing treatments on germination of Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.) in Poly house condition

Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.) is an endangered and endemic tree species that occurs in Southern parts of Eastern Ghats of India. Heartwood of Red Sanders has high demand. The wood demand, restricted distribution, slow regeneration, illegal harvest, trade and habitat destruction and various limitations in propagation of Red Sanders by natural means are prolonged dormancy, low germinability and poor viability of seeds the present investigation was carried out to find out the best presowing treatments in Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L. f.). This experiment was comprised of eleven pre-sowing treatments viz.,T1 (Tap water for 4 days), T2 (Tap water for 8 days), T3 (Lukewarm water for 4 days), T4 (Lukewarm water for 8 days), T5 (GA3 @ 250ppm for 1 day), T6 (GA3 @ 500ppm for 1 day), T7 (10 % sulphuric acid for 1day), T8 (10 % hydrochloric acid for 1day), T9 (10 % nitric acid for 1day), T10 (Separating seeds from pods with a sharp knife or scalpel and sown directly), T11 (Control) and grown in Poly house condition with Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three repetitions. Among different pre-sowing treatments, seeds pre-treated with T6 (GA3 @500ppm for 1 day) registered earlier sprouting (7.67) and higher germination percentage (70.00), collar diameter (5.34 mm), plant height (40.03 cm), number of leaves per plant (19.44), survival percentage (63.33 %), root length (30.43 cm), fresh (30.45 g/plant) and dry (23.48 g/plant) weight of plant. The next best pre-sowing treatment are T5 (GA3 @ 250ppm for 1 day) and T10 (Separating seeds from pods with a sharp knife or scalpel and sown directly). The seeds which were no treated (T11 : control) found poorest for all parameters under study.