Very interesting information indeed. Thanks for sharing.
On Dec 2, 2011 12:41 PM, "Giby Kuriakose" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> I am not clear what actually happens with the seeds after sowing. Is it
get damaged by predation or infection or still intact in soil without signs
of germination?
>
> I like the way Devi ji experimented with seeds of Strychnos nuxvomica and
Melia dubia. As she pointed out, most of the tropical seeds do have
dormancy (Quiet and inactive , but viable) period. Such seeds need a
minimum period to initiate the sprouting .
> I will tell you one incident, My friend wanted to raise 1000 seedlings of
Garcinia indica as a part of his research. I made fresh seeds available
from Karnataka and transported them to Kerala. They had kept it for
germination in polythene bags. After about 8 months, out of curiosity, I
enquired about the progress of germination. To my surprise he said there is
no sign of germination so far and he thought all of them had damaged or
predated. I told him to wait for another 4-5 months before discard the
same. He let it as such and they got several seedlings after 13 months!
> If you refer some silviculture books you may get information about the
dormancy of several species.
>
> Another incident, happened long back, we use to preserve fruits in 40%
formalin for display in Salim Ali bird Sanctuary Thattekad (Kerala). Once I
kept some Vatteria indica seeds in 40% formalin solution. To my surprise
after 7 days they started germinate within the solution and I taken out
those seedlings and planted them in the nursery. One of that seedlings
became a tree and is growing next to the Range office of the sanctuary.
>
> There are several methods to break the dormancy such as chemical
treatment, burn (teak) to remove the hard outer cover, soaking in cold or
warm water, etc.
>
> Some seeds need to pass through the gut of birds for germination (most of
Loranthaceaen seeds).
>
>
> Regards,
> Giby
>
>
>
>
> Regards
> Giby
>
>
> On 2 December 2011 09:39, Yazdy Palia <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Sheshadri ji,
>> One cause of failure is attack by ants. Once you sow the seeds, the
>> ants may be attacking them from underneath without anyone noticing it
>> even. Hard seeds may be soaked in water and then germinated in a
>> basket hung by a wire so that it is not accessible to ants. Use plenty
>> of dried leaf litter along with topsoil and it should germinate
>> without any problem. These though are the experiences of a novice. I
>> do not claim to have any special knowledge.
>> Regards
>> Yazdy.
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 9:04 AM, Devi <[email protected]> wrote:
>> > Sheshadri'ji,
>> >
>> > I've had some success with difficult seeds like Nux Vomica , Mala
>> > Veppu [ Melia Dubia?] etc. In the case of Nux after much research I
>> > found that new seeds do not sprout well and that they have to be at
>> > least 6 months old. This may be the case with some other seeds too.
>> > Also 'scarification' and soaking of hard seeds also help.
>> >
>> > I have been repeatedly unsuccessful in the case of Delonix Elata
>> > [ Vadhanarayanam]. Would you be having any saplings of this?
>> >
>> > I live in Bangalore too and would like to help with seed germination
>> > if possible.
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> > Devi
>> >
>> > On Dec 1, 3:50 pm, Sheshadri Ramaswamy <[email protected]>
>> > wrote:
>> >> Dear Friends,
>> >>
>> >> I am in an effort to germinate seeds of Tree species for assisting
forest
>> >> dept. nurseries and am not able to geminate some like* Dolichandrone
>> >> atrovirens, Melia dubia , Anogeissus latifolia, Mitragyna parviflora*
etc.
>> >>
>> >> Can I get information on the above about treatments, germination
techniques
>> >> etc. ?
>> >>
>> >> These are some native species of Bangalore. I would be glad to
discuss with
>> >> someone who is doing the above.
>> >>
>> >> Regards.
>
>
>
>
> --
> GIBY KURIAKOSE PhD
> Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE),
> Royal Enclave,
> Jakkur Post, Srirampura
> Bangalore- 560064
> India
> Phone - +91 9448714856 (Mobile)
> visit my pictures @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/giby
