There are two types of seed within each pod – reddish-dark and dark (black). The ratio between these seeds varies from 1:20 to 1:5, with darker seeds outnumbering lighter seeds. Reddish-dark seeds have a thinner coat and they germinate earlier than black seeds that haven’t first been acid treated. “Dark seeds have a harder seed coat and require various pretreatments to ensure good germination rates.”[14]
Although the seeds’ usual germination rate has been reported at 75%, germination can be improved by scalding for about 7 minutes, then soaking seeds in hot water overnight prior to planting.[15] Locust tree seedlings “can be established vegetatively in nursery beds by grafting or budding, or by rooting adult cuttings.”[16] These methods have shown good results in 11- to 25-year-old trees in Burkina Faso and Nigeria.[17]