INFLUENCE OF DEGREE OF FRUIT MATURITY ON SEED GERMINATION, SEEDLING VIGOUR AND STORABILITY OF SANDAL (<em>SANTALUM</em> <em>ALBUM</em>)

Abstract

Sandal (Santalum album) is an important tree in India both economically and culturally. The study was aimed at deciphering the differences in germinability, seedling vigour and storability of seed obtained from fruits harvested at different stages of maturity. The fruit characteristics, namely, 100 fruit weight, fruit moisture content, 100 seed weight, seed length and seed breadth were closely related to the level of fruit maturity. The green fruits were not able to germinate while 29.0, 68.2 and 73.2% of greenish red, reddish brown and black fruits germinated. The brown fruits recorded the lowest percentage of reduction in germination after 14 months of storage. Seedling length, dry matter production, vigour index and oil content were also highest for the black
fruits. The results strongly support the collection of sandal fruits when they are black in colour.