STORAGE AND PRE-SOWING TREATMENT AFFECT SEED GERMINATION OF Cinnamomum balansae H. LEC TREE

Cinnamomum balansae H. Lec. is an endemic forest tree species of Vietnam. The species has valuable essential oil and timber used for furniture. Growing this species has a high potential for poverty reduction in mountainous areas. Therefore, the effects of storage and pre-sowing treatment on seed germination of C. balansae were studied. Three treatments of seed storage included in a refrigerator at 5oC, room condition, and moisture sand. Three temperature levels for pre-sowing treatment included 30oC, 40oC, and 50oC waters. The results indicated that seeds stored in a refrigerator at 5oC had the highest germination rate of 75.7% after 15 days. However, the rate was still lower than the control (84.3%) by sowing seeds immediately after collecting from mother trees. The longer storage duration led to a lower seed germination rate in all three treatments. Seeds treated in 30oC water for 6 hours had the highest germination rate (84%). While seed germination reduced with increased temperature. In conclusion, seeds of C. balansae must be sown right after collecting from mother trees. Before sowing to the sand bed, seeds should be treated by soaking in 30oC water for 6 hours.