Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Performance of Adansonia Digitata L. Tree

Abstract

The study was conducted on Adansonia digitata (L.) tree (Baobab tree) seeds that have hard coats and, germination usually less than 20%. Effect of seeds dormancy had been attributed to eco-physiological and biological seeds characters. The objective of the study was to carry out germination trials to launch a feasible package for seed germination and seedling growth performance in nursery. Seeds were collected from Al-Abassya Region South Kordofan State and the work was carried out at Soba Forest and gum Arabic Research Centre. Five treatments were applied to seeds associated with seasons of sowing; autumn, winter and summer. One seed lot per treatment, date and season was assigned randomly for following treatments; sulphuric acid of 96% and 50% concentrations were applied for 30 and 5 min., boiled water and control. After the germination count the germinated seeds were sown in polythene bags of size 30×20 cm, filled with 2/3 sand and 1/3clay soils in three replicates to establish seedlings stock in nursery. The results showed that concentrated H2SO4 soaked for 30 minutes had a high significant effect (P > 0.001) which gave (34%) seed germination compared with all other treatments during summer season. No significant differences were obtained by both treatments of H2SO4 and boiled water, but highest values were obtained with boiled water (44%) and concentrated H2SO4 for 5 min (41%) during autumn. Seedling growth parameters measured of different treatments, showed direct correlation with increasing ages of seedling. It is recommended that autumn season and treatments with H2SO4 conc.5m and boiled water for sowing seeds of A. digitata, and H2SO4 soaked for 30 minutes during summer season