Abstract

Acacia mangium seeds were subjected to 6 presowing treatments and their effects on germination and seed deterioration in the germination medium were studied under laboratory conditions. The pretreatments were soaking the seeds (with and without the funicle) (a) in tap water (25 degree C) for 3 h, (b) in boiled water (immediately after removing from heat source) for 1 h, (c) in boiling water for 30 s, and (d) treating with 95 sulfuric acid for 2 min. Hot and boiling water treatments produced maximum germination, and at the same time maximum damage to seeds also. Other treatments had little effect on germination. A dry-weight analysis of seed parts recorded 21 percent funicle, 30 percent seed coat, 47 percent cotyledon and 2 percent embryo