Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatment on Seed Germination of Baheda (Terminalia bellirica Roxb)

Abstract

This current study investigated the effectiveness of various pre-sowing treatments on the germination of Terminalia bellirica (Baheda) seeds, is a very important tree species and valuable tree for the timber and medicinal value. That is belongs to Combretaceae family.  A species facing decline due to overexploitation and poor natural regeneration. The research was conducted in Charama, Kanker District, Chhattisgarh, from March to June 2025. The study employed a completely randomized design with five treatments, including a control (T0), and three replications. The treatments included soaking seeds in cold water for 24 hours (T1), cold water for 48 hours (T2), cow dung slurry for 24 hours (T3), and seed pelleting (With adhesive gum and clay powder) (T4). Results showed that pre-sowing treatments significantly improved germination. Soaking seeds in cold water for 48 hours (T2) resulted in the fastest seedling emergence (17 days after sowing - DAS) and the highest germination percentage (75%), mean daily germination (0.50%), peak value (4.23), and germination value (2.1). Soaking in cow dung slurry for 24 hours (T3) also showed positive effects, with seedling emergence at 20 DAS and a germination percentage of 61.6%. The control group (T0) exhibited the slowest emergence (35 DAS) and the lowest germination percentage (41.6%).  can effectively overcome the natural dormancy of Terminalia bellirica seeds, promoting faster and more uniform germination, which is crucial for conservation and sustainable utilization of this valuable medicinal plant.