Effect of Hours of Priming in Coconut Water and Seed Weight on the Juvenile Growth Phase of Soursop (Annona Muricata) in the Nursery

Abstract

Priming in coconut water and seed weight are important nursery techniques for seedling emergence and vigorous juvenile growth phase in the nursery. Two hundred and ten (210) observational stands of soursop seedlings were gotten  from five (5) seeds of 0.6 - 0.8 g and 0.3 - 0.5 g weights which were primed in coconut water at 0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours and replicated three times. Findings showed that heavy seed had higher percentage emergence (92.90 %) than light seed (78.60 %). Priming in coconut water at 60 hours (83.30 %) increased percentage emergence while unprimed seed had low percentage emergence (75.00 %). Juvenile growth phase showed a linear increase as hours of priming in coconut water increased, peaked at 60 hours of priming and dropped at 72 hours of priming. Dry matter content of heavy seed primed at 60 hours (4.20 g) was higher than dry matter content of light seed primed at 72 hours (1.55 g). Dry matter content correlates positively (p < 0.05) with growth parameters measured. These results showed that hours of priming in coconut water and seed weight played crucial roles in juvenile growth phase of soursop in the nursery.