SEED GERMINATION OF SANDAL (SANTALUM ALBUM LINN.): INFLUENCE OF LIGHT QUALITY AND SEED SCARIFICATION

ABSTRACT: Santalum album is a hemiparasitic tree disseminated rather widely in India. The influence of light quality on germination of sandal ( Santalum album Linn. ) was investigated in College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University during March – July 2014. The literature on how the light environment influences seed germination in Santalum album is contradictory. In our trials, seeds treated with GA, water and fire covered with black, blue red and clear plastic papers and at full light condition where carried to find out impact of distinctive light qualities. Highest germination percentages were acquired under full light condition (50.3%) when treated with GA followed by GA treated seeds covered with clear plastic paper or transparent light (49.3%). Red and blue light treatment indicates most minimal germination rate, virtually few germination occurred in the dark ambience.