Effect of Different Pre-sowing Treatment on Ziziphus mauritiana (Indian jujube plum) Seed Germination and Seedlings Growth Performance in Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted in Kebbi state University of Science and Technology, Aleiro at tree seedling nursery, Forestry Department to determine the effect of different pre sowing treatment methods on ziziphus mauritiana. seeds germination and seedling growth performance, using six treatment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with six replicates. The result showed that the untreated seed recorded the highest germination percentage (66.6%), followed by scarification (61.1%) then hot water (50%), cold water (16.6%). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between treatments on plant height. Plant treated with scarification recorded the highest collar diameter mean value (2.56mm) while hot water (0.70mm) and sulphuric acid (0.55mm) recorded the least. Similarly untreated seeds recorded the highest number of leaves per plant (11.66) and the least number of leaves per plant was recorded in the hot water (4.21) and sulphuric acid (3.00). Scarification should be used to produce best early seedling growth performance. Further research should be conducted to explore the used of other pre-sowing treatments on Ziziphus mauritiana. seed germination and early growth performance.

Keywords

References