Effects of Seed Pre-Treatment and Media on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Iroko

The effects of seeds pre-treatment and media, on germination of the seeds and seedling development of Iroko, Milicia excelsa, an important but threatened timber yielding species, were assessed. M. excelsa seeds extracted from the fruits that dropped from the trees were subjected to various pre-treat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African journal of agricultural research 2013-05, Vol.8 (18), p.2057-2063
Main Authors: Nzekwe, U, Ubani, C S, Ajuziogu, G C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Germination
Science and Technology
Seeds
Timber industry
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Summary:The effects of seeds pre-treatment and media, on germination of the seeds and seedling development of Iroko, Milicia excelsa, an important but threatened timber yielding species, were assessed. M. excelsa seeds extracted from the fruits that dropped from the trees were subjected to various pre-treatments [(washing in tap water, (SB1), washing in water and soaking for 15 min in hot water, 50° and 60°C, respectively (SB3 and SB4), washing in water, soaking in hot water 50 and 60°C, respectively, then left till hot water cooled (SB4 and SB6) and SB1, is the control,] before sowing in 6 different media; (garden soil (GS), sawdust (SD), 1:1 mixtute of GS + SD, GS + PD (Poultry droppings), SD + PD and 1:2:1 mixture of GS + PD + SD). Pre-treated seeds; SB2, SB3, SB5 germinated within 2 weeks after sowing, the control, SB1 germinated within 3weeks while SB4 and SB6 failed to germinate. GS + PD + SD medium consistently influenced the highest percentage germination responses. Within the pre-treated seeds SB3 gave the highest percentage germination (92%) and the control, the least 63%, while SB4 and SB6 failed to germinate. Variations shown by mean values of some seedling aerial growth parameters showed that the best values were consistently obtained with seedling grown in GS + PD + SD medium. The study has shown that M. excelsa can be propagated by the seeds. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1991-637X