Effect of Some Pre-sowing Scarification Treatment on Water Uptake and Germination of Abrus precatorius L. (Ratti)

For Correspondence: Department of Crop Improvement, College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture, Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal-249199 (Uttarakhand) ABSTRACT In 90 min. time duration show 26% germination within 5 days while control show 0% the present study entitled “Effect of some pre-sowing scarification treatment on water uptake and germination of Abrus precatorius L. (Fabaceae) has been carried out at seed physiology lab. Department of seed science and technology (College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture, Ranichuari Tehri Garhwal) with an aim to enhance the germination percentage of seeds of A. precatorius by breaking dormancy with different scarified methods. Seed collected local forest area, there was found that there was very less germination in A. precatorius L. in control condition, so that was need of some treatment which help to break dormancy with mechanical scarification (scarification at micropyler end, chazal end & hylum cavity.) and chemical scarification (Con H2SO4. At different time duration). The highly germination was found in chalazal end and hylum cavity Scarification (79.5 & 74.5) respectively while control show lowest (6.5%) germination and in chemical scarification with H2SO4 the maximum germination was recorded in 135 min. time duration which show 90 % germination within 5 days. And minimum germination. Root and hypocolyle length was also measured to check seedling growth. Maximum root length 4.85cm observed in 120 min soaking duration and minimum 3.40 cm in 150 min soaking duration. Water uptake was also recorded in various treated seed increasing intensity acid scarification (longer duration in acid treatment) the percentage of unlimbered seed decrease rapidly within 24 hrs of the imbibitions both hot water treated and flam exposed seed which were mechanically scarified. Heat induced water permeability of the herbs with intermittent/periodic brush fire. Seed health testing of seed borne fungal spores indicated the presence of seed born fungal spores which germinate and produce mycelium under favorable conditions. The mycelia growth becomes clearly visible on the seed surface when freshly collected seeds were incubated for even days at 250c temperature under moist conditions. It is worth mentioning that except for flame exposed seeds, in all other treatments, germinated seedlings were found to be highly impregnated fungal growth. Interestingly seed directly exposed to the flame produced rather health seedlings with very low amount of fungal mycelia growth. The results clearly indicate the seed born nature of the fungal pathogen. In acid scarification treatment the mycelia growth was no seen. This could be of great use for raising disease free seedlings of A. precatorius L.