Effect of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination and seedling growth of Bahera (Terminalia bellerica Roxb)

Fresh seeds of Bahera (Terminalia bellerica Roxb) were subjected to various pre-sowing seed treatments. Maximum seed germination was observed (85.33% and 85.67%) in 2005 and 2006 respectively with minimum 9 days in 2005 and 11 days in 2006 taken to initiate germination. There was no germination when seeds were given hot water treatment in both the years. Seedlings produced 1.40- 2.91 mg plant−1 biomass within 60 days of seed sowing. Freshly harvested seed pretreated by mechanical breaking gave best seed germination and seedling growth. Hot water treatment was found deleterious for Bahera seed germination.