Department of Botany, Meerut College, Meerut (U.P.)
The seed viability of Cassia angustifolia tested by tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test showed high level of viability percentage (96–99). Low values of electrical conductivity of the seed leachates, also indicated the high level of intactness of membranous system and viability of seeds. The seed germination was 8–11% under favourable conditions for germination indicating the seed dormancy. The imbibitious rate was more or less similar in control and hot water treated seeds whereas it was enhanced two to threefold on one day of soaking when mechanically scarified. The mechanically scarified seeds exhibited high germination percentage, vigour index and speed of germination as compared to acid scarification and hot water treatment. The soaking of seeds in KNO3 (1.0%) was found significantly superior in increasing germination percentage vigour index as compated to 0.1% and 0.5% treatments. The synergistic effect of mechanical scarificaton plus chemical treatments were observed In terms of enhanced germination percentage.
Germination, Seedling, Vigour
