Babul, Black Babool, Indian Gum, Arabic Tree

9,000 seeds/kg

Seeds shelf life: 2 years

USDA zone: 9-12

Acacia nilotica, commonly known as Babul in the Indian subcontinent, is a medium sized tree, growing to about 7-13 m in height, with bark approximately 20-30 cm thick. The crown is more or less spherical, but can be flattened, as per the climatic conditions. The thorns are generally straight, while the leaves are bipinnate. Acacia nilotica flowers are golden yellow, scented and spherical in shape. Pods are slightly curved and strongly constricted to resemble beaded necklaces. On maturation, pods break transversely into different segments containing one Acacia nilotica seed per segment. Acacia nilotica is very drought resistant, and can be grown on almost all types of soils. Acacia nilotica seeds require little scarification or boiling in water for successful germination, and the seeds must be sown separate from each other as they quickly develop the taproot.

A study shows;

The effects of extended water soaking, soil burial and shade placement on seeds and pods were studied. Pods, clean-seeds and unclean-seeds were soaked in water for periods up to 24 weeks in two sites with or without forest soil. The seeds were sampled for germination every 3 weeks. The results showed that factors similar to that of the natural habitat had significant effect in breaking the seed dormancy. The length of soaking period of seeds in water was the most critical factor. Germination increased with the length of soaking time up to 18 weeks and then decreased. The 18 weeks is close to the average length of natural flooding period. Water treatment of seeds was suggested as alternative for the sulfuric acid treatment, which is expensive and hazardous.