EFFECT OF SEED SIZE GRADING ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF TEAK (<em>TECTONA</em> <em>GRANDIS</em>) SEEDLINGS

Abstract

The effect of size grading of teak seeds on seedling production and growth was studied in detail at the Kerala Forest Research Institute at Palapilly, Thrissur, India. The fruit (seed) characters were also studied. It was observed that most fruits belonged to the 9-12 mm grade and that 98% of the total seeds were of size from 9 mm up to 18 mm and more. The nursery experiments showed that fruit size did not have any influence on the survival and seedling growth. However, fruits with less than 9 mm diameter had low germination percentage leading to less number of seedlings.