Research Article

Effect of Seed Pre- Germination Treatment and Light Regimes on The Germination and Growth of Myrianthus Arboreus (P. Beauv) Seedlings

E. G. Oboho
University of Benin, Nigeria
* Corresponding author
F. F. Omaku
University of Benin, Nigeria
E. L. Anozie
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
DOI icon 10.24018/ejfood.2020.2.6.113

Read Counter
369

Downloads
386

Citations

Share

Article Sidebar

Submitted 2020-09-08
Published 2020-11-17

Read counter = 369 times

Table of Contents

Article Main Content

The effects of seed pre-treatment methods on the germination and growth of Myrianthus arboreus under two light regimes was conducted in the nursery of the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, University of Benin, Benin City. The seed pre-treatment methods were 24 hours soaking in water (T1), 12 hours soaking in water (T2), seeds tied in black nylon (T3), control no treatment (T4) and repeated under two light regimes which were open light regime and medium light regime. Experiment was set up in Completely Randomized Design manner (CRD.) Analysis of variance was used to analyze the results of germination and growth parameters measured.

Germination percentages in the open light regime were 52, 56, 52 and 56% for T1, T2,T3, and T4 respectively while germination percentage in the medium light regime were 100, 64, 0 and 32% for T1, T2, T3, and T4 respectively. The mean shoot heights (cm) were 10.22 and 5.36 in the open light regime and medium light regime respectively. Collar girths (mm) were 1.99 and 1.11 number of leaves were 3.39 and 2.23 while the mean shoot to root ratio was 1.01 and 0.99 for the open light regime and the medium light regime respectively.

Therefore, it is recommended that the seeds of Myrianthus arboreus be soaked in water for 24 hours, sown under medium transferred at the 2-leaf stage to the open light regime (or shading removed) where they will grow until planting out time.

Keywords: Growth, light, Myrianthus arboreus, pre-germination treatment, seeds

References

  1. L. Nwoboshi, “Tropical silviculture. Principles and techniques”. Ibadan University Press. pp. 333 1982.
     Google Scholar
  2. E. G. Oboho, “Silviculture for beginners.” Uniben Press. University of Beni, Ekewan Campus, Benin City, Nigeria, pp217. 2014.
     Google Scholar
  3. J. C. Okafor, “Edible indigenous woody plants in rural economy of the Nigerian forest zone In”: Okali, D. U. U. Ed. The Nigerian rainforest ecosystems, University of Ibadan, pp. 262-300, 1980.
     Google Scholar
  4. H. M. Burkill, “The useful plants of West Africa” 2nd Edition, Volume 1, Families A-D. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. PP 960. 1985.
     Google Scholar
  5. D. K. Abbiw, “Useful plants of Ghana: West African uses of wild and cultivated plants”. Intermediate Technology Publications, London and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom, pp 337. 1990.
     Google Scholar
  6. Master Plan. “Master Plan, University of Benin”. University of Benin Printing Press pp 306, 1993.
     Google Scholar
  7. J.J., Gedroe, K.D.M. McConnaughay, and J. S. Coleman, “Plasticity in root/shoot partitioning: Optimal ontogenetic, or both?” Functional ecology. British Ecology Society, vol. 10. pp. 45-50, 1996.
     Google Scholar
  8. AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemist’s) “Official methods of analysis of the association of analytical chemist’s international,” 18th Ed. Gaithersburg, MD U.S.A Official methods, 2005.08.
     Google Scholar
  9. FAO, “ A guide to forest seed handling”, R.L Willan ed. FAO forestry Paper 20/2, 1985 ch. 8 pp. 1- 14
     Google Scholar
  10. R.A. Montgomenry,. and R. I. Chazdon, “Light gradient partitioning by tropical tree seedlings in the absence of canopy gaps”. Oecologia 131: pp 165-174, 2002.
     Google Scholar
  11. D. E. Murray, and R. Nicols, “Light, shade and growth in some tropical plants. In (R. Bainbridge et al. ed) Light as an ecological factor”. Blackwell, Oxford and Edinburgh pp. 61 – 87, 1966.
     Google Scholar