Effect of Acid Pretreatment of Seeds on the Germination and Early Growth of Albizia lebbek (L) Benth in Makurdi, Benue State-Nigeria

Dachung, G. and Amonum, J. I. and Chenge, I. B. and Adeka, P. (2023) Effect of Acid Pretreatment of Seeds on the Germination and Early Growth of Albizia lebbek (L) Benth in Makurdi, Benue State-Nigeria. Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry, 9 (3). pp. 27-35. ISSN 2581-7418

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Abstract

The seeds of A. lebbeck exhibit physical dormancy, which leads to poor seed germination due to a tough seed coat, which has prevented the species from being domesticated in the study area. Pre-sowing treatments are therefore necessary to increase seed germination and reduce germination period. This study aims at the evaluation of the impact of acid pretreatment on seed dormancy and growing seedlings of A. lebbeck for the establishment of plantations in Benue state, Nigeria, where it is lacking. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with six pretreatments (soaked) with the used of acids. The pretreatments include: sulphuric acid (70 % H2SO4) for 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes; nitric acid (70 % HNO3) for 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes; and untreated seeds (control); and replicated thrice. Two seeds were sown in each plastic pot and later thinned to one seed per pot after germination. A total of 144 plastic pots were used. The immersion in 70 % nitric acid for 5 minutes as pretreatment of A. lebbeckyielded the highest germination percentage (50%) and immersion in nitric acid for 2 minutes had the highest emergence index (38). According to the study's findings, pre-treating A. lebbeck with 70 % nitric acid breaks dormancy better and promotes faster growth. Thus, it is recommended that pretreatment of A. lebbeck seeds with 70% nitric acid for five minutes before sowing should be adopted to grow the species faster in the study area.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: Afro Asian Archive > Agricultural and Food Science
Depositing User: Unnamed user with email support@afroasianarchive.com
Date Deposited: 26 Apr 2023 04:16
Last Modified: 28 Aug 2024 14:09
URI: http://info.stmdigitallibrary.com/id/eprint/568

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