Effectiveness of Different Seed Extraction Methods on Seed Value from the Cones of Pinus radiata

Cones of radiata pine or Pinus radiata are serotinous. The cone scales are stuck together by resin making natural seed release impossible for many years. In the present study cones were subjected to various heat treatments viz. Heated in a kiln at 65°C for 8 hours, heated in a microwave oven set at high poser for 60 seconds or submerged in boiling water of 120 seconds. Subsequent rate and extent of seed release was observed on day 1,3,6 and 7. Maximum and quickest seed release was observed following the kiln treatment. Seed viability assessed by Tetrazolium Test (TZ) and relative seed vigour assessed by Accelerated Aging (AA) test both showed that seed extracted by the kiln method was superior to that obtained by either of the other two methods. The effectiveness of suitable methods of extraction of seeds from cones of P. radiata in the light of economic importance is discussed.