THE EFFECT OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY SEPARATION ON GERMINATION AND BIOCHEMICAL POTENTIAL OF <em>CASUARINA</em> <em>EQUISETIFOLIA</em> SEEDS

Abstract

Empty seeds and dormancy are the two factors that prohibit germination of live seeds. Casuarina equisetifolia shows only 40 to 45% germination even when they are freshly collected. To see if seed filling can be a cause for this dismal record of germination, an attempt was made to separate the seeds based on the weight of the individual seed using a specific gravity separator. The results revealed that seed germination recorded by A grade seed was significantly higher than B and C grades as well as ungraded bulk seeds. D and E grades did not germinate at all. The estimation of storage reserves revealed that variation existed among the grades separated by the specific gravity separator. The A grade seeds recorded higher protein, oil and carbohydrate contents, which substantiated the higher germination and vigour recorded by this grade of seeds.