Effect of Scarification and Stratification treatments on Germination and Seedling Vigour of Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f) Drupes

The effect of scarification and stratification treatments on germination and seedling vigour of fresh teak drupes was investigated. The drupes were subjected to the following scarification and stratification treatments viz., control, acid scarification (500 mL/kg of drupe) for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 min. Cold stratification for 30, 40 and 50 days at 5o C. Warm stratification for 30, 40 and 50 days at 40o C. The treated and control drupes were sown in sand filled earthen pots and placed in direct sunlight for assessing the germination. The experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Block Design with ten replications. Germination percentage, number of seedlings/100 drupes, time taken for initial emergence, root length, shoot length, dry matter production and vigour index were recorded 28 days after sowing. Acid scarification for 40 minutes, cold stratification at 50°C for 40 days, and warm stratification at 40°C for 40 days resulted in 23.7, 29.8, and 22.7 percent germination, respectively. From this study it could be concluded that warm stratification of fresh teak drupes at 40 0C for 40 days gave maximum germination (29.8 per cent) and seedling vigour (468).