Effect of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination and seedling growth of Enterolobium cyclocarpum under nursery condition

The ear pod tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is a multipurpose tree species (MPT), native to tropical America and is an essential tree for sustainable land use practices. There are a wide range of goods and services that they offer. It is widely grown for its rapid growth, fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and for the large number of the diverse uses to which it is put, such as soil amendment and fodder production. Improving seed germination for the nursery propagation of Enterolobium cyclocarpum was studied at the Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Seed structure and germination traits; and seedling growth were studied. Produce of different sources exhibited a significant variation of the seed weights. The best methods to increase germination rates were hot water exposures of 12 hrs followed by acid scarification for only 10 minutes. Enterolobium cyclocarpum is a potential useful MPT for agroforestry, based on it’s potential to environmentally sustainable and economically viable for farmers in nutrient deficient or degraded soils. The results underscore the importance of MPTs to the adoption of sustainable methods of farming and food and feed production considering shortage.