Effect of Time of Pod Collection on Seed and Seedling Characteristics in Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia Linn.) in Garhwal Himalayas

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of time of pod collection on pod, seed and seedling characteristics in Robinia pseudoacacia Linn. in Garhwal Himalayas. The pods were collected fortnightly from 15^th June to 15^th August, comprising of a total of five collections. The pods and seeds were red-purple and yellow-green in colour, respectively at the early stage and turned brown at maturity. The results revealed that the pod width and pod dry weight were maximum on 15^th July collection date, however, maximum pod length was obtained from the collection date of 30^th July. Similarly, maximum seed thickness, dry weight of seeds and germination per cent were also obtained from 15^th July collection. The maximum seed length and seed width was observed in collection of 30^th July. The seedling length, collar diameter, seedling dry weight and seedling vigour index were also maximum for 15^th July collection date. The results revealed that there was no significant difference beyond 15^th July collections in most of the seed and seedling parameters studied. It is, therefore, suggested that the pods of Robinia pseudoacacia may be collected after 15^th July to get quality seeds and seedlings.