Abstract

Seeds of E. grandis of 3 viabilities (good, 95 percent and poor - 35, 55 and 75 percent) were sown at 3 rates (2. 8, 5. 6 and 7. 0 g/m2) in experimental nursery beds in Kerala. The beds were shaded by coir mat and watered daily with 10 litre water/square meter. Seedling density was estimated at 3-wk-old. Seedlings of 10 cm tall were pricked out weekly from 65 to 122 days after emergence, and numbers of prickable seedlings estimated. The data are tabulated. Cumulative numbers of prickable seedlings and seedling density increased with increasing sowing rate and increased seed viability. The percentage of prickable seedlings decreased with increasing sowing rate (because of the increasing density) but was low (22. 1 maximum) . Considering the wastage of seedlings involved in the nursery bed method of raising seedlings, and the disease implications of high-density seedling beds, it is suggested that use of the polyurethane foam (as a substratum for germination) technique or direct