This study was carried out with the aim of providing basic information on the best pre-treatments in breaking dormancy experienced by Albizia zygia seeds and seedling growth. 120 seeds of Albizia zigia were subjected to mechanical scarification (at three selected points namely: around the circumference, distal and micropyle ends). 120 seeds were pre-treated with hot water at three temperature regimes (20 0 C, 40 0 C, 60 0 C) for 5, 10 and 15 minutes and sulphuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) at three levels of concentrations (10%, 30%, and 50%) respectively. Data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics (both one and two ways analysis of variance). Highest germination percentages were recorded in seeds scarified around the circumference, hot water at 60 0 C for 5 min and 50% sulphuric acid for 15 min (36.7%, 53.3% and 50%) respectively.Circumference scarification, degree of water (20 0 C and 60 0 C) duration (5 and 15 min respectively) had significant (p<0.05) effect on the seedling height (16.03cm, 13.85 cm and 12.87cm) respectively. Scarification along the circumference had significant (p<0.05) effect on the fresh and turgid weights (7.65g and 7.67g) respectively while, 20 0 C and 40 0 C for 5 minutes had significantly (p<0.05) higher turgid weights (4.97g and 5.40g) respectively. © JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem/v19i3.8

ABSTRACT:The effects of mycorrhiza on growth and growth components of Faidherbia albida (Del.) A. Chev. was investigated in the semi arid environment of Sokoto State, Nigeria. A complete randomized block design with five replications and factorial combination of three watering regimes (daily for unstressed plant, twice weekly for partially stressed plants and once a week for moisture stressed plants) and three mycorrhizal treatments namely; endomycorrhizal plants, ectomycorrhizal plants and non mycorrhizal plants were used. Both the ecto and endo mycorrhizae enhanced morphological features of the plant including height, basal diameter, leaf number, leaf area, root length and dry weights as well as its moisture utilization efficiency. Therefore, the use of mycorrhiza is recommended for sustained production of high-grade seedlings of the apple ring acacia in the semi arid environment.

This study determined the influence of land management practices on the light fraction of soil organic matter in a derived savanna ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from Tectona grandis, Eucalyptus camadulensis, Musa paradisiaca plantations and the Natural forest in the Soil samples were collected randomly under each land practices at 0-10 cm and 10-15 cm depths. Microbial identification, total heterotrophic (THC), light fraction organic matter (LFOM) were determined. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and correlation analysis, means were separated using Duncan Multiple range Test. Actinomycetes, Bacillus enterobacter, Staphylococcus, Flavobacterium, Escherichia coli, Serratia, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium spp, Penicillum spp and Aspergillus flavis were identified in the four land management practices. Significantly (P<0.05) highest THC was observed in the Musa paradisiaca plantation while Euclayptus had the least. Significantly (p<0.05) higher LFOM was observed in plantain and teak plantation. There was positive correlation between THC and LFOM. Conclusive, the study revealed that light fraction contents provide a sensitive and reasonably precise measure of organic matter indices.

No abstract

The effects of moisture and mycorrhizal inoculation on stomatal conductance and xylem pressure potential of Faidherbia albida (Del.) A. Chev. were investigated in the semi arid environment of Sokoto, Nigeria. A complete randomized block design with five replications and factorical combination of three watering regimes (daily for unstressed plant, twice weekly for partially stressed plants and once a week for moisture stressed plants) and three mycorrhizal treatments namely; endomycorrhizal plants, ectomycorrhizal plants and non mycorrhizal plants were used. Both the ecto and endo mycorrhizae significantly (P<0.05)affected the Stomatal Conductance and Xylem Pressure Potential of the plant even under stressed conditions. The use of mycorrhiza is thus recommended as a strategy for efficient water utilization and water conservation.