Seed dormancy in Caesalpina Bonducella (L) Roxb.

Caesalpinia mainly grown for immense medicinal value. The plant seeds are useful in ethano medicines to treat cancer, eye sores, tuberculosis, asthma, toothaches and fever. The plant seed extract have antioxidant, anti tumor, anti microbial, anti diabetic, anti pynetic activities. In nature the population of caesalpinia bonduc (L) Roxb dwindling due to longer duration of seed dormancy, overutilization of plant for medicinal purpose and destruction of habit at the Coesalpinia bonduc (L) Roxb plant species become threatened. The Plants play a important role in human health care system. C. bonducella shows poor germination and low seedlings, establishment. The information on seed biology and germination behavior and dormancy pattern of this valuable species is lacking therefore it was dicided to investigate the germination behavior of this species one year old seeds were used for laboratory testing at times fail to germinate properly the failure may be due to the state of seed dormancy different treatment were tried to find out the best treatment to break the dormancy. The seeds were pre treated with H₂So₄ 2% for 45 & 60 min, H₂0₂ 1% 10 sec, KNo₃ 0.50% & 0.75%, GA₃ 250ppm & 500 ppm, hot water 24 & 48 hrs and, mechanical scarification gave significant results treatment with sulphuric acid for 60 min, resulted better germination up to 80%. The study proved that seed treatments are necessary to overcome the seed dormancy.