Republic of the Philippines

North Eastern Mindanao State University

Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

SEED GERMINATION STUDIES OF HARDWOOD TREE SPECIES:

MANGKONO (Xanthostemon verdugonianus Naves)

A Thesis Proposal Submitted to

The Faculty of Bachelor of Science in Forestry of

NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY - SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS

San Miguel Surigao Del Sur

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement

For the Degree of

Bachelor of Science in Forestry

CATRINA B. UMBA

AUGUST 2023
 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

INTRODUCTION
In our current era, technology plays an important role in the lives of our society.

Yet, little did they know that nature is being forgotten and neglected. It is because the

country is trying to cope with the development of the technological era. One of the

backfires is that the Philippines as one of the most severely deforested countries in the

tropics, according to an article published by Environmental Science for Social Change

(ESSC). Thus, the Philippines is paying a high price for the destruction of its forests and

several major problems confronting the nation can be traced directly to deforestation

(Walpole, 2011).

These problems as cited in the study of Walpole (2011) are as follows: the

country faces food insecurity due to soil erosion, which means depleted nutrients and

low crop yield. In many provinces, at least 50% of the topsoil has been lost, and 70% of

all croplands are vulnerable to erosion. The country’s climatic conditions are such that

typhoons sweep the country an average of 19 times a year. The topography is mainly

uplands with a slope equal to or greater than 18% and these areas make up 52% of

total land area. In the absence of forest cover and with frequent heavy typhoon rains,

soil erosion, mass wasting, and landslides are induced. On the other hand, if these

problems on the destruction of forest are continued, the outcome will be the national

degradation of our resources.

 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

In that case, one of the steps to take to decline the phenomenon that is

happening in our country is to look for a solution based on the best practices in planting

forest trees. Therefore, this study will focus on experimenting on how to plant a forest

tree, specifically Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus), with a pre-germination

treatment.

Purpose of the Study

this study aims to see the germination of Mangkono and Kamagong
seeds in different seed treatment methods.
Specifically, here are the following studies:
1. To determine the best treatment that hastens the germination of Mangkono
seeds based on germination test:
2. To determine the economic significance between Mangkono

Statement of the Problem

This study will assess germination performance of Mangkono (Xanthostemon
verdugonianus) seeds. More specifically, it aims to determine the following:
In a span of thirty (30) days, the seeds will be germinate using different treatments and
will be describe in terms of:
a. Germination Percentage
b. Germination Capacity
c. Germination Energy
 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

Hypothesis of the Study

Hypothetically, there is no significant difference in the germination performance
of Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus) seeds as affected by different pre-
germination
treatments.
Time and Place of the Study
This study is to be conducted at NEMSU Nursery Campus

Scope and Limitation

 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature
The naturally rare “magkono” (Xanthostemon verdugonianus), otherwise called
Philippine ironwood, is known to be found in Samar, Leyte, Palawan and Surigao.

Highly prized for its durability and rot-resisting characteristic, it is has been assessed as
vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (and Natural
Resources) under its Red List of Threatened Species.

The Asean Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation has also declared the
magkono as rare and endangered because of extensive loss of its habitat.

However, according to Alcoseba, a retired agricultural engineer, magkono can also be

found in Mt. Malindang along the Usugan and Lantawan rivers.

Magkono wood is heavy and one of the densest in the world. Alcoseba refers to it is as
a “sinker” so it is usually submerged in water, buried under sand or rocks, and
sometimes found in between boulders.

When floodwaters carry it along the river, weathering brought about by abrasion results
in unique textures and colors such as black, brown, and shades of gray.
 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

CHAPTER III
MATERIALS AND METHODS
For this experimental research, the researcher will use two separate methods for

the germination performance and initial growth of Mangkono (Xanthostemon

verdugonianus) seeds under different shading conditions

Experimental Plant
The plant to be utilized in this study is Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus).

Collection of Seed
The Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus) seeds were ordered online

Experimental Design and Treatments

The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with
five (5) treatments namely,
T1 – No treatment (Control)
T2 – Alternate wet and air- dry treatment for two (2) days. (Water from 6 pm to 6
am and air-dry from 6 am to 6 pm.)
T3 –Soaking in tap water for twenty-four (24) hours.
T4 – Soaking in hot water (100 degrees C) for 3 seconds.
T5 – Nicking
The treatments were replicated three (3) times. Fifty (50) seeds were used in every
treatment. A total of 750 Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus) seeds.

Experimental Layout
 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

B1 B2 B3
T5 T1 T3
T2 T4 T1
T1 T3 T5
T4 T2 T4
T3 T5 T2

Experimental Layout
Sowing of Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus) Seeds
Sterilized tap soil mixed with coco peat will be used. The mixture was in 3:1 ratio.
The seeds will be applied with the different pre-treatment of the study. The pre-treated
seeds were sown in 4 cm x 8.5 cm x 14.3 cm Tupperware.
Care and Maintenance of the Study
A manual mist sprayer will be used to prevent dislodging of the Mangkono
(Xanthostemon verdugonianus) seeds from the germination tray. Watering was done as
required.

Materials and methods

Seeds of Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus (Plate 1.a) were collected from
School.
To carry out seed germination studies of these species, the substrates utilized were,
cocopeat,
cocopeat:sand(1:1), sand, filter paper and MS Basal medium.
150 gms of cocopeat (dry weight) was soaked in distilled
water (4 times of dry weight) overnight. Except sand, individual cocopeat, a mixture of
cocopeat and sand (1:1), petriplates with filter paper and MS basal medium were
autoclaved at 15 psi for 25 min. Seed germination in three different planting substrates
under aseptic conditions
Seeds were soaked overnight in distilled water (control), treated with 0.1% HgCl2 for 2
minutes and were washed 3 times with sterile water. All the manipulations for
 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

germinating the seeds were carried out in the Laminar air flow cabinet for the following
substrates:
Cocopeat and Cocopeat: Sand
The seeds were germinated singly in each well of the root
trainer containing a specific type of substrate. Bavistin
(200mg/l) was added on to the substrate and the root trainers
were kept in culture room at 25 ± 2o
C.
MS Basal Medium
5 seeds were kept per flask containing basal medium and
these were kept in culture room at 25 ± 2o
C.
Filter paper
5-10 ml sterile water was added in each petridish with filter
paper. Thereafter 5 seeds were inoculated in ten petridishes
and were sealed with parafilm. All the petridish were kept in
culture room at 25 ± 2o
C.
In vivo seed germination in sand
Sand (2.2Kg) was filled in polybags and single seeds
(overnight soaked in distilled water) were planted in each
bag. Fifty polybags were used for the experimental studies
and daily watered to keep the substrate moist.
Seed germination and growth in cocopeat
Seeds were soaked in GA3 (5µM and 10µM) solution
overnight and were germinated in cocopeat substrate filled in
 Republic of the Philippines
North Eastern Mindanao State University
Formerly Surigao del Sur State University
SAN MIGUEL CAMPUS
Carromata San Miguel, Surigao del Sur

root trainers. These root trainers were kept in culture room at

25 ± 2o
C. After seedling emergence, 5 seedlings from each
treatment as well as control (seeds soaked in distilled water)
were randomly selected and observations for percent germination and growth
parameters like seedling length (shoot and
root length), fresh weight, dry weight and collar diameter were
recorded after 20 days Mangkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus.
Data Analysis
The cumulative germination was computed to determine the germination percentage
and other parameters in each treatment. A one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was
carried out to analyze the data.