THE EFFECT OF SPECIFIC GRAVITY SEPARATION ON GERMINATION AND BIOCHEMICAL POTENTIAL OF CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA 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.