The effects of Light Intensity on Seedling Growth of Annona muricata Linn.

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate seedlings growth performance of Annona muricata Linn. as influenced by different light intensities. Seedlings of A. muricata were subjected to three (3) treatments via; growth in direct sunlight (control), in single layered mesh net and in double layered mesh net. Each of the experiment was replicated three (3) times in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The variables assessed were plant height, number of leaves, stem girth and leaf area. The data collected were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that there were significant differences among the treatments at 5% level of probability. Seedlings under direct sunlight had the highest mean height of 13.63cm, number of leaves (17.50cm), stem girth of 1.20cm and had the least leaf area of 11.30cm2 at three month after transplantation. This was followed by the seedlings under single layered mesh net with mean height of 11.05cm, number of leaves (7.00), stem girth (0.78cm) and highest leaf area of 17.06cm2 while the least plant height, number of leaves and stem girth was recorded in seedlings under double layered mesh net with mean values of 10.03cm, 5.83 and 0.68cm respectively. It is concluded that seedlings of Annona muricata under direct sunlight has better growth performance than those under single and double layered mesh net. Though, it had the least leaf area, it recorded the highest mean values in other parameters considered. Therefore, direct sunlight might be required in raising seedlings of this species.