Provenance and pretreatment effect on seed germination of six provenances of Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev

Abstract

A nursery experiment was conducted to determine the effects of seed pretreatment methods on the germination of Faidherbia albida at ICRAF, Nairobi from six provenances consisting of Awassa, Taveta, Lake Koka, Maseno, Chinzombo and Wagingombe. Seeds were subjected to five pretreatment methods namely nicking, soaking in acid, hot water, cold water and control. Germination percentages (GP), mean germination time (MGT) and germination index (GI) were calculated and the data was subjected to ANOVA. The study revealed significant (p B 0.05) differences in seed treatments among provenances in all studied parameters. Highest germination among pretreatments in Awassa (99 %) and Wagingombe (80 %) was observed in nicked seeds, Chinzombo (81 %) in nicked and acid treated seeds, Lake Koka (90 %) in acid treated seeds and Taveta (28 %) and Maseno (64 %) in cold water treated seeds. Nicking gave the highest cumulative GP (69.67) while lowest GP was observed in hot water treated seeds (23.17). Acid treatment exhibited lowest MGT (8.85 days) and highest GI (2.29) while highest MGT (24.35 days) and lowest GI (0.31) were observed in control and hot water treatment respectively. Although acid treatment gave a high GP and lowest MGT and GI, nicking and soaking in cold water for 24 h is being recommended as cheaper and less hazardous pretreatment methods to improve germination in F. albida since sulphuric acid is expensive and requires proper handling techniques. Significant correlation between geo-climatic data and germination parameters of seeds subjected to different pretreatments indicates that provenances are as important as pretreatments in germination of the species.

Effects of Diverse Pretreatments on Seed Germination in Cleome gynandra L. (Capparidaceae) - A Threatened Species, Collected from Different Agro-Ecological Zones in Benin

“…Ahoton et al (2009) showed various tendencies on the seed germination rate and speed of Prosopis africana collected in Benin when submitted to four treatments having implied hot water, sulphuric acid, tap water and/or their combinations. Of these different works, germination rates of 90-100% were observed (Fredrick et al, 2016 in Faidherbia albida; Ahoton et al, 2009 in Prosopis africana; Moussa et al, 1998 in Hyphaenae thebaica; Njoukam, 1997 in Canarium schweinfurthii).…”

“…These accessions (seeds) have been harvested in the localities of Dogbo (2013and 2016), and Tanguiéta (2014. The seeds of Dogbo constitute accessions Pop 16 and Sud 13, whereas those of Tanguiéta represent accession Nord 14, respectively.…”

“…The atmospheric oxygen is provided by the pores of soil, and is used often in the aerobic respiration for energy supply until the beginning of the photosynthesis. Seeds belonging to numerous species how difficulties to germination, and indeed their propagation is affected by dormancy, which results in a weak growth potential (Fredrick et al, 2016;Falemara et al, 2014). Botsheleng et al (2014) noted that the seeds of most species of trees of the arid and semi-arid regions cannot germinate rapidly whenever they are submitted to ideal conditions to the accomplishment of the physiological phenomenon due to their impervious tegument to water (Fredrick et al, 2016;Aref et al, 2011;Walters et al, 2004).…”

“…Seeds belonging to numerous species how difficulties to germination, and indeed their propagation is affected by dormancy, which results in a weak growth potential (Fredrick et al, 2016;Falemara et al, 2014). Botsheleng et al (2014) noted that the seeds of most species of trees of the arid and semi-arid regions cannot germinate rapidly whenever they are submitted to ideal conditions to the accomplishment of the physiological phenomenon due to their impervious tegument to water (Fredrick et al, 2016;Aref et al, 2011;Walters et al, 2004). Seed dormancy varies according to species (Botsheleng et al, 2014) and necessary conditions for its levee and germination can therefore be similarly very variable in relationship with the given species or provenance (accession) producing the seed material (Fredrick et al, 2016;Luna et al, 2009).…”

“…Botsheleng et al (2014) noted that the seeds of most species of trees of the arid and semi-arid regions cannot germinate rapidly whenever they are submitted to ideal conditions to the accomplishment of the physiological phenomenon due to their impervious tegument to water (Fredrick et al, 2016;Aref et al, 2011;Walters et al, 2004). Seed dormancy varies according to species (Botsheleng et al, 2014) and necessary conditions for its levee and germination can therefore be similarly very variable in relationship with the given species or provenance (accession) producing the seed material (Fredrick et al, 2016;Luna et al, 2009). Several studies showed that importance of pretreatments in improving considerably seed germination of various tree species (Hossain et al, 2005, cited by Fredrick et al, 2016.…”