Influence of Pre-sowing Treatments on the Germination of Prosopis africana (Guill. and Perr.) Taub. Seeds

Aims: The application of pre-sowing treatment has greatly improved the germination of seeds of tree species used in afforestation programmes all over the world. This study aimed to determine the effect of different pre-sowing treatments on the germination of Prosopis africana seeds.

Study Design: The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out from 11th November to 30th December 2019atthe Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Ten seeds each were soaked in ten treatments: tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid (H2SO4) for 10, 20 and 30 minutes; hot water for 6, 12 and 24 hours; and cold water for 3, 5 and 7 days. Ten seeds from each of the treatments were sown in a germination box containing sterilized river bank sand and each replicated five (5) times. Percentage germinations for each treatment were arcsine transformed, subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan multiple range test at 5% probability level.

Results: The results revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in germination. The seeds treated with acid for 30 minutes had the highest mean (51.405) and standard deviation (8.983), seeds soaked in cold water for 3 days and 7 days had no germination.

Conclusion: The study concluded that soaking Prosopis africana seeds for 30 minutes in H2SO4 breaks its dormancy, hence, was recommended for improved seed germination.