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Influence of gibberellic acid and temperature on seed germination in Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana Wall.)

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Abstract

Pinus gerardiana Wall. is an important ecological and economic forestry species having restricted distribution in India. It has been observed that natural regeneration of the species is extremely poor or entirely lacking. This species has erratic and infrequent seed years and dormancy related problems that also reduce regeneration process in natural habitats. Therefore, different treatments of gibberellic acid and temperature were tried to enhance the germination in the species by subjecting seeds to two gibberellic acid concentrations (75 and 150 ppm) along with control, following four soaking periods (Control, 8, 16 and 24 h) and two incubation temperatures (15 and 25 °C) for assessing their impact on seed germination. It was observed that among different gibberellic acid concentrations highest germinability parameters were observed, when seeds were treated with 75 ppm GA3. Among different soaking periods highest germination was observed when seed were soaked for 24 h. The incubation temperature showed better results at 15 °C in comparison to 25 °C. The present study identified gibberellic acid treatment of 75 ppm, seed soaking for 24 h at 15 °C incubation temperature best treatment for enhancing germination.

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Acknowledgments

Authors wish to thank the Associate Director, Regional Horticulture research station, Sharboo, Reckong Peo, for his constant encouragement and help during the study period. Author would also like to thank Kesar Chand, field assistant and Brig. Mohan Negi, Junior research fellow for the help during field survey.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Central Soil and Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, 218, Kulagarh Road, Dehradun, 248195, Uttarakhand, India

    Raj Kumar, Harsh Mehta, N. M. Alam, J. M. S. Tomar & O. P. Chaturvedi

  2. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, 173230, H.P, India

    G. S. Shamet & Neetan Khajuria

  3. CSWCRTI, Research Center, Vasad, Anand, 388308, Gujarat, India

    Raj Kumar

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  1. Raj Kumar
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  2. G. S. Shamet
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  3. Harsh Mehta
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  4. N. M. Alam
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  5. J. M. S. Tomar
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  7. Neetan Khajuria
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Correspondence to Raj Kumar.

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Kumar, R., Shamet, G.S., Mehta, H. et al. Influence of gibberellic acid and temperature on seed germination in Chilgoza pine (Pinus gerardiana Wall.). Ind J Plant Physiol. 19, 363–367 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-014-0119-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-014-0119-2

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