Abstract

Erythrina stricta Roxb. (Leguminosae) contains alkaloids of insecticidal properties. Seeds were collected in May and stored in mud pot, plastic bottle, polythene bags with different gauges and in gada cloth bag. Seeds mixed with cowdung powder, leaf powders of neem and Vitex individually in storage, the higher percentage of germination was with neem leaf stored seeds (90%). Seed germination was upto 85-90% in 7-10 days when sown at a depth of 2-3 cm; in a mixture of sand+soil+humus (1:1:1) followed by other media. The root and shoot length of the seedlings was higher in neem leaf stored seeds followed by that in the control and in the mixture of Vitex and cowding. Seedling biomass was the highest (2.31 g/plant) with neem stored seeds.

Keywords: Seed collection, Containers, Biocides, Biomass