A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
The paper deals with seed germination behavior and seedling growth performance of Calamus latifolius Roxb; with 5 pre-sowing treatments in the nursery and field conditions. The pre-treatments of seeds were i) seeds soaked in tap water for 24 hours, ii) soaked in tap water for 48 hours iii) soaked in 20% H2SO4 for 10 minutes iv) scarification with wire net and v) control (Seeds were sown without any treatment). Pre-treated seeds were sown in the seed bed filled with soil and decomposed cow dung at 3:1 ratio. The growth performance of the seedlings were determined by transferring 30-35 days old seedlings (having 2-3 leaves) from germination bed to the polybags filled with soil and decomposed cow dung media. Plantation in the field was made with one year old seedling. Germination percentage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced with pre-sowing treatments and maximum germination percentage (70) was recorded in seed scarified by wire net and the lowest (44%) was in control. Growth performance was also influenced by pre-sowing treatments in the nursery and highest (1008) vigor index was found in seed scarified by wire net and lowest (475) in control. Seedlings survival percentage was over 92% after one year of plantation in the field. Average height was recorded 123.1 cm after two years of planting. Thus, seeds scarified by wire net can be suggested for nursery raising and one-year old seedlings may be out planted at 2m ×2m spacing for successful plantations of the species.