EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENTS ON STORAGE LIFE OF <em>CASUARINA</em> <em>EQUISETIFOLIA</em>

Abstract

Seeds of Casuarina equisetifolia were treated with leaf powders of arappu (Albizia amara), neem (Azadirachta indica) and notchi (Vitex negundo), and neem oil, Captan, Thiram, Carbaryl, Captan + Carbaryl, and Thiram + Carbaryl. The dosage per 100 g of seed for each of the leaf powders was 10 g; neem oil, 1 ml; Captan, 2 g; Thiram, 2 g; Carbaryl, 200 mg; Captan + Carbaryl, 1 g + 100 mg; and Thiram + Carbaryl, 1 g + 100 mg. They were stored in polythene and paper bags for seven months and then subjected to germination test. Measurements were made of percentage germination, root and shoot lengths, dry matter production and vigour index. Although seed viability and vigour decreased with increase in period of storage, the arappu treatment followed by that of Captan and Carbaryl recorded higher values compared to the rest of the treatments and control. For example, from an initial percentage germination of 70%, the value dropped to 22% in the control after seven months storage. However, treatments with arappu leaf powder and Captan + Carbaryl resulted in values of 88% and 31% respectively after the same period of storage. Germination and vigour were maintained better in polythene than paper containers.