Effect of Pre-treatments and Sowing Depths on Germination and Early Growth of Leucaena leucocephala seeds.

Abstract

Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de wit is an evergreen shrub or tree with a fairly open, rounded crown; it can grow from 5 -20 meters tall. The tree species used for several agricultural purposes in the Mediterranean region. The seeds of this species exhibit dormancy due to presence hard seed coat, causing delayed germination. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of seed pre-treatments, seeding depths and their interaction on the germination, growth and biomass parameters of L. leucocephala. This study was conducted in the glass-house. The seeds were exposed to three pre-treatments: control (T1), scarification (T2), and soaking in hot water for 12 hours (T3), then the seeds were sown in 1cm and 2cm deep. Germination percentage (%) and growth performance were measured. The results showed that soaking in hot water and sowing in 1 cm deep had a great effect on the germination and early growth of L. leucocephala. Thus, for maximum germination and initial vigorous seedlings growth of L. leucocephala, the present study suggests that the seeds should be immersed in hot water and left for 12 hours and then planted in 1 cm deep.