In the present study, chemical treatment
was found to be necessary for enhancing
seed germination rather than depending on
temperature difference alone. Only a slight
increase of germination (maximum of
45%) was observed when tap water was
used at different temperatures.
Various workers have reported the low
seed germination percentage (40-60%) of
P. tetragonolobus [4,7]. Increase in
hardness of the seed coat as well as hard
binding of the seed coat to the cotyledons
has been observed in seeds as storage
progressed. In the present study, increase
in the percentage of seed germination
observed while on chemical and
temperature treatment may be due to the
increased penetration of water into the
seeds, and consequently triggering of the
physiological processes in the seeds
leading to germination