ABSTRACT
Seed germination rates, types and
early seedling growth rates of some tropical plant species were studied at
Umudike, Nigeria. A reconnaissance survey was carried out to know the location
of each plant species. Each of the plant species was marked with a numbered
plastic tag. The mature fruits that dropped from the trees were collected from
the fruiting plant and processed manually. Seed viability test was conducted
using the floatation method. Except the seed of Garcinia kola, a total of 400
viable seeds of each plant species were used for the germination test. Four
germination boxes each measuring 50 x SO x 10 cm were used for each plant
species. Cotton wool was used to fill the germination box to 5.0 cm level
before the seed broadcast was made. Watering of the broadcast seeds was done
every morning and evening. Germinated seeds were counted every week and
recorded. Each seedling was picked and transplanted in a polythene bag filled
with a mixture of top forest soil and poultry droppings at equal ratio. Five
treatments were assigned to Garcinia kola seeds. A total of 400 viable seeds
were initially soaked in a bucket filled with water. A total of 100 seeds were
removed from the water after 24; 48; 72 and 168 hours and were broadcast in a
separate germination box. Another 400 viable seeds were scarified and soaked in
another bucket filled with water. A total of 100 seeds were X removed after 24;
48; 72; 168 hours and were broadcast in separate germination box. Another set
of 400 viable seeds were kept in an oven set at a temperature of 70 °C. A total
of 100 seeds were removed after 01; 02; 03; 04 hours and were broadcast.
Another set of 400 viable seeds were chilled at a temperature of below 04 C. A
total of 100 seeds were removed after 24; 48; 72; 168 hours and were broadcast.
Another set of 400 viable seeds were kept at a temperature range of between 20
and 30 ®C. A total of 100 seeds were removed after 24; 48; 72; 168 hours and
were broadcast. Watering was done once in two days. The broadcast seeds were
observed for 300 days and the seeds that germinated after each 30 days were
recorded. The seedlings were planted at the Department of Forestry and
Environmental Management Nursery at espacement of 4.0 x 4.0 m. Measurement of
the height growth of each of the seedlings was done every two weeks using a
tape. It was observed that 11 plant species studied exhibited phanerocotylar
epigeal foliaceous germination type, 14 exhibited phanerocotylar epigeal fleshy
germination type, 7 exhibited phanerocotylar hypogeal germination type, 2
exhibited cryptocotylar epigeal germination type and 2 exhibited cryptocotylar
hypogeal germination type. It was observed that Nauclea diderrichii seeds had
exogenous dormancy while seeds of Garcinia kola had both endogenous and
exogenous dormancy. Others had rapid germination type. The xi growth of tree
species was affected by attacks on the apical shoot by larvae of insects. Only
Pentaclethra macrophylla and Cola acuminata seedlings that were not affected by
insect attacks. All the studied plant seedlings had periodical apical shoot
growth more especially a week after rainfall.
NELSON, E (2023). Seed Germination And Seedling Growth Of Three Tropical Tree Species. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Dec 23, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seed-germination-and-seedling-growth-of-three-tropical-tree-species-7-2
ERE, NELSON. "Seed Germination And Seedling Growth Of Three Tropical Tree Species" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 11 Oct. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seed-germination-and-seedling-growth-of-three-tropical-tree-species-7-2. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
ERE, NELSON. "Seed Germination And Seedling Growth Of Three Tropical Tree Species". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 11 Oct. 2023. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seed-germination-and-seedling-growth-of-three-tropical-tree-species-7-2 >.
ERE, NELSON. "Seed Germination And Seedling Growth Of Three Tropical Tree Species" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2023). Accessed 23 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seed-germination-and-seedling-growth-of-three-tropical-tree-species-7-2