Seed germination treatments of some rare tree species for forest restoration in Northern Thailand (Thai)

Abstract

This study developed ways to grow  rare or threatened forest tree species which were listed as rare in

the CMU Herbarium database and which had previously proved difficult to propagate in the nursery : Calophyllum polyanthum Wall. ex Choisy., Aglaia lawii (Wight) Sald. & Rama., Anthocephalus chinensis (Lmk.) A.Rich.exWalp., Mesua ferrea L., Gardenia sootepensis Hutch., Scleropyrum pentandrum (Dennst.) Mabb., Rothmannia sootepensis (Craib) Bremek, Acer laurinium Hassk., Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Serr. and Ormosia sumatrana (Miq.) Prain etc. Treatments included soaking in water (at ambient temperature) for 1 or 2 nights; soaking in 80 ˚C hot water for 30 minutes; soaking in 50 % sulphuric acid for 3 or 10 minutes and scarification. Scarification by hand was the best treatment for Calophyllum polyanthum, Scleropyrum pentandrum, Mesua ferrea and Ormosia sumatrana seeds, resulting in germination percent of 72%, 21.7%, 20% and 16% respectively. No seed treatment (control) result in highest germination per cent for Aglaia lawii (96.7%) and Anthocephalus chinensis (33.7%).