Effect of seed pretreatment on germination of Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.) J.H. Kirkbr & Wiersema

Abstract

Knowledge of the method of seed germination is an important step of the domestication of crop plants. The objective of this study was to test the aptitude of germination of Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.) using pretreatment condition. Eight batches of seeds were evaluated in two distinct substrates; namely sandy soil and ferralitic soil: (i) soaking of seed in cold water for 24 hours; (ii) soaking in hot water at 100 o C for 5 mm followed by in immersion into tap water for 24 hours, and (iii) scarification with razor blade. For each substrate, the treatments were compared to untreated controls. Results showed that seeds sown after scarification recorded the highest germination percentage (77.78%) with sandy soil (P < 0.05). Sandy soil also reduced the waiting time of germination (11.00 ± 0.00 days) and germination time (5.00 ± 0.5 days). Results of this study may serve as useful information for domestication of Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.).