Transplantation and direct sowing as methods of propagation of Cordeauxia edulis hemsley (yeheb) in glasshouse and in the field

Abstract

The establishment of Cordeauxia edulis Hemsley (yeheb) was assessed using two methods of propagation in glasshouse and in the field in 2006 and 2007 at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. In experiment 1, seedlings were transplanted into the field, with and without shade, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days after germination. In experiment 2, seeds with and without pericarp were sown at four depths in pots or in the field. Seedlings transplanted 50 days after germination had the highest survival rate. ca. 75% of the seedlings transplanted at this age were viable 36 weeks
later. Shade had no significant effect on survival but reduced shoot and root diameter as well as total aboveground dry weight. Emergence was strongly dependent on sowing depth and pericarp. Emergence from peeled seeds sown on the surface or at 4 cm depth reached 65 to 85%, but was reduced with sowing depth. Emergence was strongly inhibited in seeds with an intact pericarp. Sowing deeply significantly increased plant height both in the glasshouse and in the field, and reduced biomass dry weight in the glasshouse. Age of transplanted seedlings, sowing depth and removal of the pericarp were the determinant factors in establishment and growth of C. edulis.

Keywords: Cordeauxia edulis; glasshouse, seeds, pericarp, sowing depth, Ethiopia