Germination Biology of Bell (Passifloria burifolia L.) and Sugar Apple Seeds (Annona squamosal L.) in Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Germination biology of two species of the apple – Bell apple (Passifloria burifolia L.) and Sugar apple (Annona squamosal L.) was undertaking to determine the possibility of growing apple in Southern Nigeria. Some seeds were sown directly in a garden soil in polythene bags, while other seeds were subjected to different treatments like scarification with sand paper, in boiling water for 1 minute, placing in 10% H₂SO₄, puncturing seeds with needle and soaking seeds in tap water for 24 hours. Seedlings of Bell apple and Sugar apple were planted directly in garden soil using the square system method of planting. Effects of different treatments on seed germination and growing of seeds and seedlings were investigated. Seedling growth parameters such as number of leaves, measurement of stem girth, leaf area and plant height for both seedlings grown from seeds and seedlings planted directly into the garden soil were studied at a 7day (weekly) interval. The water holding capacity of soil, nutrients availability, soil conductivity and pH were also investigated. Observations revealed that seeds soaking enhanced the rate of germination of the seeds of sugar apple, and the garden soil enhanced the growth rate of seedlings of Bell apple.