An Attempt to Hasten the Germination of Matai and Miro Seed using Concentrated Sulphuric Acid

Authors: D.S. Preest
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 1959, Issue N.Z.J.For. 8(5) 1963, pp 826-828, Dec 1963
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

Abstract: Seeds of matai (Podocarpus spicatus R.Br.) and miro (P. ferrugineus D. Don) were soaked for up to 72 hours in concentrated sulphuric acid at room temperature and then stratified for 82 days. Soaking for longer than 72 hours destroyed most of the seed. The treatments did not stimulate any germination of miro but the 72 hour treatment did result in an 11% first season germination of matai as compared with approximately 1% for the untreated seed. Subsequent germination of untreated matai in the second season was 32%. There was little or no germination of treated seed in the second season.