Effect of Pre-Sowing Treatment on Seed Germination and Seedling Early Growth Performance of Faidhaerbia albida (GAWO)

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the Department of Forestry and Fisheries at tree seedlings Nursery, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aleiro and Viable seeds of Faidherbia albida were obtained from the Department of Forestry and Fisheries, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aleiro. The treatments were carried out in the field using Randomize Complete Block Design (RCBD), replicated six times treatment combinations used are H 2 SO 4 , HCL, and cold and hot water respectively. The best germination percentage was observed in sulphuric acid (88.8%) followed by hydrochloric acid (78.8%) and cold water- treated seeds produced the lowest germination percentage of (55.5%). The result for pre- sowing on several leaves differs significantly (P<0.05) between all the treatments. Hydrochloric Acid treatment produces the highest number of leaves (13.00) which is similar (P>0.05) to the sulphuric acid result (12.00) but differs significantly (P<0.05) from all other treatments. While hot water treatment produced the least number of leaves. The result for collar diameter revealed significant (P<0.05) decreases in scarified seeds (0.87mm) and hot water treatment (0.30mm) compared with control (1.85mm). However, plant height revealed significant (P<0.05) increases in sulphuric (22.70) and hydrochloric acid treatment (19.27) compared to control (8.33). Hence this study validates the use of sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid and further supports the use of these methods as an alternative in propagating and preservation Faidherbia albida

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