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IJWESC Abstract

Pre-Sowing Treatments for Improved Germination and Growth Performance of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) in Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria

1Maiguru A.A., 1*Chinweuba E.C., and 1Zaku S.S.

1Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University Wukari, P.M.B. 1020, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.

Authors Email Addresses ✉: Chinweuba E.C. [cestherchinweuba@gmail.com; chinweubaesther27@gmail.com]; Zaku S.S. [sszaku@yahoo.com]; Maiguru A.A. [ngamuabel@gmail.com]

Accepted January 11, 2020

Seed germination of tree species is important for development of plant growth to achieve the aim of regeneration programme. The study was conducted to determine the effect of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) to pre-germination seed treatments and growth performance in the nursery. In this study, twenty four (24) replicas of Tamarindus indica seeds were subjected into five pre-treatments: mechanical scarification, soaking in 97% concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) for 15 minutes, soaking in cold water for 24 hours, soaking in hot water for 30 minutes and untreated (control) seeds. Seeds were sown in poly pots under normal environmental condition for germination. The highest germination percentage was recorded in seeds treated by mechanical scarification (87.50%) at day 8, followed by 97% sulphuric acid (H2SO4) (79.16%) concentration within fifteen (15) minutes soaking period at day 10 and the least was hot water (41.66%) with 30 minutes soaking period at day 15. Germination was observed to be enhanced by the effect of mechanical scarification on disrupting the seed coats of Tamarind, followed by sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and the least was by hot water. The results were tested at 5% significant level and it showed that the pre-germination treatments have a significant effect on germination and growth performance (height, stem diameter and number of leaves) of Tamarindus indica. Therefore, the study recommended mechanical scarification and concentrated Sulphuric acid for 15 minutes for seed germination, although care must be taken in handling the acid considering the risk. Results of this study can serve as useful information in the production, improvement and regeneration of the economic tree species, as basic knowledge on seed germination requirements is an important factor in seedlings production.

Key words: Tamarindus indica, germination, treatments, growth performance.

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