Sesbania grandiflora, (Linn.) Pers. |
Family : Leguminosae - Papilionioideae |
Common Name : Sesban, Swamp-pea |
Telugu Name : Avisa |
General : |
It is a native of Malaysia but now extensively grown in many parts of A.P. as a support for betel-vine. It is commonly seen growing on the bunds between the fields and in backyard vegetable gardens. Identified by straight, cylindrical, deeply furrowed bole and a light spreading crown with feeathery leaves. Recommended for afforestation on eroded, grassy waste lands and B.C. soils. The tree is short-lived and is harvested on a 3 year rotation. |
Flowering : |
The pink, handsome, large flowers are produced profusely in December to January. |
Fruiting : |
Pods ripen in April to May. |
Morphology of the Fruit / Seed : |
Pods 25 to 30 cms long, 1.5 to 2 cms broad, compressed, four-angled, containing 30 to 40 seeds. |
Seed Collection and Storage : |
Seeds should be collected when ripe (i.e., April to May) from trees of best form. No particular precaution is necessary for storing the seeds. Viability remains upto one year. |
Seed Biology : |
No. of seeds per Kg. |
Germination percentage |
Plant percent |
No. of seedlings per Kg. of seed |
16,000 |
90 |
80 |
13,000 |
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Pretreatment : |
Not required. |
Nursery Technique : |
Seeds are sown in polypots soon after collection in May and watered regularly. Seedlings growth is very rapid. Seedlings are fit for planting within one month.
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