Effects of Pre-Sowing Treatments on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Attributes of the Endangered (Anisoptera scaphula Roxb.) Species

Abstract

Anisoptera scaphula (Boilam), one of Bangladesh's tallest native tree species, plays a vital role in the Asian forest ecosystem. It is critically endangered and at high risk of extinction. This research, conducted from April 2022 to February 2023, examined the effects of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination and seedling growth. Seeds collected from a mother tree in Cox’s Bazar were subjected to four treatments: untreated (T0), soaked in water for 12h (T1), soaked and air-dried for 12h (T2), and soaked and air-dried for 24h (T3). Results showed T2 had the highest germination rate (84.2%) and fastest germination, while T0 had the lowest (52.3%). Seedlings from T2 also exhibited the greatest height (46.4 cm) and collar diameter (0.76 cm). Around 2000 seedlings are now ready for planting. These findings support large-scale seed production and regeneration efforts to mitigate the extinction risk of A. scaphula and restore its ecological role.