Effect of pre sowing seed treatments on seed germination and seedling growth in Rakta Chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus L.): An Endangered medicinal plant

Rakta Chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) is important tree medicinal plant grown in tropical region of the world and it is endemic to India. The inner bark when injured or cut or damaged, it oozes red colored ‘santolin’ dye. The IUCN listed this Rakta Chandana as an endangered species due to over exploitation. Natural regeneration is less due to low germination percent. Hence, the present study entitled “Effect of pre sowing seed treatment on seed germination and growth in Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. An Endangered medicinal plant which belongs to Fabaceae has been carried out at College of Horticulture, Mudigere with an aim to enhance the germination and seedling growth by different scarification methods. The per cent germination in P. santalinus is very less in control condition. Hence, this experiment was planned to treat the seeds which helps to break dormancy with acid scarification (KNO3, HCL, H2SO4) and chemical scarification (GA3, NAA, Cytokinin) and soaking of seeds in organic solutions (cow urine, cow dung slurry, hot water treatment). It was found that, the higher germination percentage (47.50), seedling length (32.45 cm), collar girth (3.24 mm) and seedling dry weight (6.57 g) was found in seed treatment with cow dung slurry while control showed poor germination and growth. The results clearly indicate that soaking P. santalinus seeds for 48 hours in cow dung slurry results in good germination and better seedling growth. This could be of great use for raising quality seedlings of P. santalinus.