The purpose of this research was to determine the appropriate methods of breaking seed dormancy, level of water uptake, and the influence of gibberellic acid on the early growth of Tamarindus indica seedlings. The scarification methods used included: concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4), manual scarification, flaming, hot and cold water treatments. The experiments were conducted in the laboratory on Petri dishes and in potting media. GA3 was used to optimize the production of seedlings by spraying the solution on the foliage. The treatment for 10 minutes with concentrated H2SO4 gave the maximum germination percentage and water uptake (80.41%). GA3 enhances the growth of the seedlings by increasing the height, the number of leaves and stem girth at eight weeks after sowing. In conclusion, all the scarification treatments applied to the seeds of T. indica proved effective. The ten minutes treatment with concentrated H2SO4 was the best treatment for breaking seed dormancy of T. indica. And gibberellic acid enhanced early and fast seedling growth as it increase height, number of leaves and stem girth of T. indica.
The fruit of Carica papaya (pawpaw) is an important crop widely grown around the world. Isolation and control of fungi associated with spoiled pawpaw in the Mubi main market were carried out. A total of twenty (20) pawpaw fruits were collected from four locations, the isolation and characterization were done using standard procedure. The result revealed that four fungi cause pawpaw spoilage in the study area (Aspergillus niger, Penicillium expansum, Mucos spp and Rhizopus stolonifer) and were confirmed through a pathogenicity test. Location3 of the main market showed the highest disease incidence of 50%; location 2 the least with 20%. The efficacy of leaf extract of S. acuta was tested for antifungal activities against the four isolates and was positive as the zone of inhibition by the extract increases with an increase in concentration. It can be concluded that A. niger, P. expansum, Mucos spp and R. stolonifer were pathogens responsible for C. papaya fruit rot in Mubi main market. S. acuta leaf extract was able to restrain the growth of the pathogens. Further research should be carried out to determine the phytochemical present in the leaf extract of S. acuta and also to identify the active components in the plants.
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