EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PRE-SOWING TREATMENT ON THE EMERGENCE OF DIALIUM GUINEENSE (WILD)

Abstract

The experiments were conducted in the Forestry laboratory of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Kebbi State. The studies were conducted from February 2020− March 2020 to assess the most effective method of breaking seed dormancy in Dialium guineense seeds. The seeds were subjected to four (4) pre-treatment methods (sulphuric acid, hot water, cold water and mechanical scarification) with untreated seeds as control, the experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated three (3) times. Final germination percentage (FGP), germination mean time (GMT), germination index (GRI), Coefficient Velocity of Germination (CVG) and Germination rate index (GRI) were calculated and the data was subjected to the analysis of the variance (ANOVA). Seed treated with cold water for 48 hours (Trt 1) started germination at two (2) days after sowing (DAS) and ended germination at 5 DAS, control and three of the treatments (Trt 2, Trt 5& Trt 7) started germination at 3 DAS while Trt 4 and Trt 8 started at 4 and 5 DAS respectively. FGP 100% was obtained from Control and Trt 5 and they finished Germination at 9 and 21 DAS respectively. Highest GI, GRI and CVG and lowest MGT were recorded from Trt 1. The result analysis of findings at 5% level of statistics showed that there is nosignificant difference between the treatments. Similarly, no germination on seeds in Trt 3 and Trt 6. Seeds of Dialium guineense are not limited by dormancy therefore can be sown without any pre-treatment, but for large scale production of Dialium seedlings it can be treated in cold water at room temperature for 48 hours due to availability and low cost with less risks.