Seed germination of selected economically important indigenous fruit trees

Eljohn Dulay; Dennis Marvin Santiago; Pastor Malabrigo; Cristino Tiburan; Analyn Codilan; Bernadeth Balonga; Marco Galang

Eljohn D. Dulay Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Dennis Marvin O. Santiago Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Pastor L. Malabrigo, Jr. Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Cristino L. Tiburan, Jr. Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Analyn L. Codilan Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Bernadeth P. Balonga Institute of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines
Marco A. Galang Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna, Philippines

Keywords: indigenous fruit trees, germination, acid treatment, hot water treatment, seed dormancy, tree propagation

Abstract

Indigenous fruit trees are important as they serve as food, nutrition, and income sources for local communities. However, out of more than 300 edible fruit-tree species in the country, only a few are cultivated commercially and considered economically important, and many are underutilized. Hence, this study aimed to determine effective pre-germination treatments for the germination of selected indigenous fruit trees, specifically kalumpit [Terminalia microcarpa (Decne.)], tibig [Ficus nota (Blanco) Merr], and libas [Spondias pinnata (L.f.) Kurz]. Seeds of these species were collected and subjected to 11 different pre-sowing treatments, which include acid treatment and hot water treatment at various concentrations, temperatures, and duration of exposure. All three (3) indigenous species generally achieved more than 50% germination involving HCl acid treatment. The highest germination percentage is observed for Terminalia microcarpa seeds soaked in 5% HCl solution, Ficus nota in seeds soaked in 10% HCl solution, and Spondias pinnata showed a 100% germination in treatments involving extreme conditions, such as higher acid concentrations, longer periods of soaking, and higher water temperature. Hot water treatment hastened germination (31, 46, and 50 days) for Terminalia microcarpa, while germination started for most treatments (9 and 13 days) for Ficus nota and Spondias pinnata (34, 39, and 46 days). Study results can be used as a reference in the mass propagation of these species for plantation and reforestation purposes.