Abstract
Acacia auriculiformis Cunn. Ex. Benth is a multipurpose wattle tree with diverse environmental and ecological significance. However, seeds dormancy and low germination percentage are problems for its use in agro-forestry practices. Investigations were carried out on the effect of pre - treatment on the germination and early seedlings growth of A. auriculiformis. Germination were observed in seeds pre-treated with sulphuric acid at 7days after sowing (DAS) while seeds under the nitric acid and control treatment germinated at 8 and 9 DAS respectively. Results, shown that pre - sowing treatments have positive influence on seed germination; seeds treated with Conc. H2SO4 for 5 to 10 min had the highest percentage germination of 92 - 96% compared with 42% for the control treatment. The effect of different pre-treatment test, their interaction and time of exposure significantly (P < 0.05) influenced seedlings growth parameters. The highest mean shoot length and stem diameter values of 5.92 cm and 0.29 mm respectively were recorded among seedlings that originated from seeds pre - treated with sulphuric acid for 5 and 10 min. Hence, dormancy in A. auriculiformis seeds can be removed by pre - treatment with sulphuric acid (5 and10 min) with enhanced percentage germination and growth performances. Key words: A. auriculiformis, seeds, pre-treatment, germination, growth.
Highlights
New initiatives in agro forestry are seeking to promote poverty alleviation and environmental rehabilitation in developing countries through the integration of indigenous trees whose products have been gathered from natural forests into tropical farming system (Hossner and Juo, 1999)
Germination were observed in seeds pre - treated with sulphuric acid (2-10 min) and NaClO for 10 min at 7 days after sowing (DAS) while seeds under the nitric acid treatment (2-10 min) and NaClO for 5 min sprouted at 8 DAS
A. auriculiformis seeds treated with concentrated sulphuric acid treatment produced the highest percentage germination among the acid pre – treatment test
Summary
New initiatives in agro forestry are seeking to promote poverty alleviation and environmental rehabilitation in developing countries through the integration of indigenous trees whose products have been gathered from natural forests into tropical farming system (Hossner and Juo, 1999). These forest resources are being depleted owing to the increasing demand for forest products (Kayode, 2006). Chandel and Shulka (2002) reported that the unprecedented demand for productive land for agriculture use has reduced plant species availability. Deforestation reduces species diversity and erodes the genetic base of the tropical trees, including those vital for the survival of the present generation. Leakey (1998) suggested that deforestation may leads to disruption of the closed nutrient recycle and severe degradation of natural resources base of the environment
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