Germination ecology of the woody herb Uraria picta, from southern Nigeria

Abstract

The germination response of Uraria picta to five environmental factors was investigated. It germinated both in light and dark but germination in the light was significantly better than in the dark; there was further germination when seeds first placed in the dark were later brought into the light. It germinated well in the three soil types used but germination in humus and sand was significantly better than in red earth. There was an increase in germination with an increase in burial up to 1.5 cm, thereafter germination levelled off. There was no germination in water-logged conditions and there was an increase in germination as soil moisture decreased. Alternating temperatures of 31/21°C and 31/15°C favoured germination while 21/15°C inhibited germination. The results are discussed in relation to the phenology and distribution of the species.

Some aspects of wild robusta coffee seedling growth in Kibale National Park, Uganda

“…Crawford (1989) suggested that large seeded species especially of forest climax trees in rain forests can germinate rapidly in the dark and are able to sustain growth on their own resources until they receive adequate illumination. Other observations on responses of seeds of some forest trees to light showed a general agreement that light in forest gaps promoted seed germination (Raich & Khoon, 1990; Flores, 1992; Okusanya, Lakanmi & Oyesiku, 1993; ter Steege et al ., 1994). These same authors also agree that seedling survival on the forest floor was strongly promoted by light.…”

Morphological and anatomical investigations into the mechanism of leaf pair unrolling in <i>Uraria picta</i> (jacq.) desv. ex dc. (papilionaceae), a medicinal plant in Nigeria

“…Ecologically, the transition from simple 'youth' leaves to 'adult' odd-pinnate compound leaves is associated with availability of nutrients and duration of light intensity, natural habitat and its ability to trap light (Okusanya, et al, 1991;Njoku, 1956). The inflorescence is elongated, spike-like, terminal racemes (30 cm long x 2 cm wide) with small pink flowers.…”

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“…usually known as Prishnaparni belonging to the family Fabaceae, is one of the important ingredients of 10 herb formulation called Dashmula. [1] U. picta is reported to be a perennial erect woody herb [2][3][4][5][6][7] reaching about 1-2.5 m height. U. picta, though widely distributed throughout the India, [8] is increasingly becoming rare and endemic.…”