Standardization of germination media for the endangered medicinal tree, bael (Aegle marmelos)

Bael is an endangered medicinal tree, highly propagated through seeds. Either on trade or before sowing evaluation of seed germination is essential. International rules for seed testing recommended different techniques for seed quality evaluation. One such requirement is the selection of media for germination to assure actual germination as media provide proper platform for full expression of seedling emergence and growth. Hence, the studies were conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, on standardization of media and methodologies for germination test under germination room conditions in line with ISTA for Bael seeds. The results revealed that, either river sand or paper media could be used for obtaining reproducible and complete expression of germination of seed. In river sand, in-sand method (seed are to be sown at depth of 2 cm) and in paper, between paper (Roll towel) method had better expression for germination (83 and 78%) respectively, recommending it as the best media for evaluation of germination percentage of Bael seeds in seed testing.   Key words: Bael, endangered, sand or paper media, seedling emergence, germination.