Abstract:
Groundnut is considered one of the major oil seed crops, widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Its multiple uses make it as an excellent cash crop for domestic market and for foreign trade as well. The low germination level and poor growth of the crop in some conditions due to plant pathogens and other causal agents is one of the factors behind low productivity. Considering the irrational use of synthetic pesticides to control various pests and diseases of the crops and their adverse effects on environment, natural habitats through their residual toxicity, this study which was conducted under laboratory conditions of College of Agricultural Studies “Shambat”, Sudan University of Science and Technology, aimed to investigate the effect of bee glue (Propolis) powder aqueous extract, potassium nitrate and their mixture on seed germination and some growth parameter of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Three concentrations of aqueous extract of Propolis powder, potassium nitrate solution and their mixing up, each of 5, 10 and 15% were used in addition to untreated control. The assessment of their effect on seed germination and plant health was recorded through the percentage of germination and their influence on growth parameters. The results revealed that all concentrations of the aqueous extracts of bee glue powder, potassium nitrate and their mixture increased invariably the seed germination and growth parameters compared to control. The increase in germination percent ranging from 33.33% due to 5% potassium nitrate concentration to 80% due to 15% aqueous extracts bee glue powder concentration compared to 6.67% untreated control. The highest concentration of bee glue powder extract (15%), mixture of Propolis and KNO3 (7.5+7.5%) and the KNO3 alone (10 and 15%), gave the highest increase in germination percent (80.00, 66.67 and 40.0%) respectively compared to the untreated control (6,67%) in day three after inoculation. Among the treatments tested that of Propolis at all concentration (5, 10 and 15%) was generally the most effective in increasing the germination of seeds and gave significantly the highest percent germination, 80.00, 73.33 and 66.67 % respectively than its equivalents potassium nitrate and their mixture. Also the results showed that application of all treatments gave pronounced increase in number of leaves and fresh and dry weight compared to control. Moreover, concentration of each Propolis powder aqueous extract as well as that of potassium nitrate and their mixture reacted differently regarding their effect on germination and growth parameters. Generally, the results showed that the treatments activity increase with increase in concentration. Likewise, the test crop differs in its response to the different concentrations of treatments. To my knowledge, the current results were considered the first of its kind in the Sudan and hence it is promising and encouraging using Propolis for enhancing germination and growth parameters in other crops.
