Effect of Fruit Mass on Germination and Seedling Characteristics of a Tropical Climbing Bamboo Melocalamus compactiflorus (Kurz) Benth

Fruit mass plays an important role in germination and establishment of bamboo species in forest ecosystems. Melocalamus compactiflorus (Kurz) Benth, a tropical climbing bamboo naturally distributed in forests of North East India (NEI) flowered gregariously, set seed and died in 2011-2012. The reported flowering cycle of the species is ~45 yrs. Therefore, present study is an opportunity to explore: (i) effect of fruit mass on germination and growth of seedlings, and (ii) effect of fruit age on viability and germination. Study revealed negative correlation between fruit mass and germination time (r=0.65; p<0.05; N=300). Statistically positive significant effect of fruit mass on seedling survival and seedling attributes (mean seedling height, diameter of seedling, total leaf number and leaf area) was observed. Increase in fruit age decreased the moisture content, germination rate (%), Mean Germination Time (MGT) and Seed Vigour Index (SVI) of the seedlings. Present study suggests heavy weight fruits promote germination rate and therefore set-in-motion for successful establishment of regenerating stands.