Germination response of Treculia africana (Dacne) seeds in relation to moisture content, storage method and its duration

Abstract

Edible seeds of forest tree crop may be unavailable in sufficient quantity for tree planting projects and so there is need for storage. The germination response of Treculia africana seeds to storage method, duration and moisture content was investigated. Three storage methods were used namely; open basket, jute bag and air-right bottle. Moisture content over time under the storage regimes was investigated for five weeks while the storage aspect was monitored for 20 weeks. The experimental layout was completely Randomized design with threetreatments and three replications. Data was analysed using one way ANOVA at 5% level of significance. Fresh seeds had 100% germination. After first week of storage, this valued decreased to 73.3% and 83.3%, and drastically reduced to 3.3% and 13.3% for seeds stored in the open basket and jute bag respectively. The air-tight bottle maintained values of between 93.3-100% throughout the investigation period. There was statistical difference between storage method and duration. The moisture content of freshly extracted seeds was 36.95% and air-tight bottle maintained steady values were between 35.95 – 35.98%; the values for the open basket and jute bag dropped to 18.97 and 20.13% respectively within five weeks and the critical moisture content of < 24.16% was attained in three weeks after which there was no further germination. It is recommended that fresh seeds of T. africana be sown and where long term storage is needed, the air-tight bottle should be used, but resource poor farmers may employ the jute bag to store the seeds for only two weeks if seeds are meant for sowing. Further research is needed in getting appropriate storage devices for large scale storage of seeds for this important crop.

Effect of storage materials on viability and proximate composition of <i>Garcinia kola</i> Heckel

“…Evidence in support of this assertion is observed in hundred per cent viability recorded in polyethylene that has the highest moisture content. Oboho and Ngalum (2014) had observed that storing seeds of Treculia africana in air-tight container retained the moisture enough to sustain the viability of the seeds for long time compared to those stores in jute bag and open basket. Similarly, Nwoboshi (1982) had observed that seeds which do not possess hard impervious seed coat like G. cola and Gliricida sepium lose their viability rapidly as they were subjected to temperature and humidity fluctuations.This goes further to say that highest percentage seeds viability recoded in polyethylene is due to ability of this material to protect G. kola seeds from temperature and humidity.…”

Evaluating the Effects of Biochar and Organic Soil Amendments on Seedling Development of Annona muricata. Linn

“…The fruit were depulped and about 60 seeds were extracted and used for seedling germination. The handling of seeds, germination and seedling transplanting were carefully carried out according to the recommendations of [16,17].…”

The Effect of Seed Source and Pre-sowing Treatment on Germination of Canarium schweinfurthii [Engl] Seeds

“…Despite the apparent economic importance of Canarium schweinfurthii in Nigeria, the existence of this species is threatened by increased deforestation, urbanization and other infrastructural developments. The growth of any tree begins with the germination of its most important propagule, the seed [7]. Lots of seeds are lost annually due to low germination status after free fruit fall from the mother tree; the seed coat dormancy being partly responsible, thereby threatening the existence of the species.…”