Effect of Different Seed Treatments and Growing Media on Cleistanthus collinus Roxb. (Gaja Madara)

Abstract

Gaja Madara (Cleistanthus collinus Roxb.) (Phyllanthaceae) is a specific plant species having medicinal, insecticidal and elephant repellent properties. Pod coat of the species is very hard and therefore, natural resurgence is very poor. Therefore, the present study was carried out to find most suitable seed treatment method and seedling growing media for Cleistanthus collinus. Five different water soaking periods for seeds from mature pods and fully dried pods, different Gibberelic Acid (G A 3) concentrations, hot water in different temperatures were used as different seed treatments in four sub experiments. Top soils with different ratios of coir dust, compost, sand and cow dung were used to find out most suitable growing media for seedlings. Treatments in all sub experiments were arranged in Completely Randomized Design with five replicates and data were analyzed using ANOVA with Statistical Analysis System. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was employed for mean separation at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results revealed that mature pods perform better way than the fully dried pods in terms of early and highest germination. Seeds from mature pods soaked in water for 24 hours period showed significantly higher germination (74%) compared to other water soaking treatments, while seeds treated with 40®C water for 5 minutes had significantly highest germination of 40% followed by 40°C water for 10 min. Out of six G A 3 concentrations and dipping times, the highest germination (68%) was observed in seeds from mature pods treated with 500 ppm G A 3 for 14 hours. In addition, significantly higher number of branches, leaves and plant height was recorded in Cleistanthus collinussztdimgs grown incompost: sand: top soil (1:1:1) compared to other treatments. Overall, significantly higher germination was found in 500 ppm G A 3 for 14 hrs closely followed by water soaking for 24 hours. Since there were no significant difference, water soaking for 24 hours seems to be cost effective treatment to achieve higher seed germination and compost:sand:top soil (1:1:1) could be used as most promizing growing media for Cleistanthus collinus.