The role of fruit coat in germination of pterocarpus marsupium seeds

Pterocarpus marsupium belonging to the family Fabaceae is distributed in deciduous forest throughout the India. Germination of fresh seeds was reported to be low due to their hard fruit coat. Experiments were conducted on the role of fruit coat in restriction of germination and to test whether the seeds have any physical dormancy. Imbibition test was performed to determine water uptake of seeds with intact fruit coat, scarified fruits, and extracted seeds. No significant difference in percentage increase in mass was observed between scarified and non-scarified fruits. Moisture content of fruit coat and seed of intact fruit and scarified fruit was determined during imbibition. Difference in moisture content of fruit coat and seed between intact and scarified fruits were found negligible. Therefore, the fruit coat is water-permeable and makes requisite water available to the seed for germination. However, highest germination of 100% was observed in extracted seeds, whereas 76.7% and 72.9% seeds germinated in scarified and intact fruit coat. The cause of variation in germination and ecological significance of hard fruit coat in regeneration of seeds in natural condition have been discussed.