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Nov 12, 2015Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Seed germination and seedling vigour attributes of gmelina (Gmelina Arborea) seeds affected by fruit maturity levels and pre-storage invigoration treatments under ambient tropical conditions
Abstract
Seed invigoration treatment, fruit maturity and storage period effects on seed germination and seedling vigour attributes of gmelina (Gmelina arborea L.) were investigated. The five fruit colour index of maturity (green, yellow, yellow brown, black and brown), five seed invigoration treatments (three organic materials (crude plant powders of scent (Ocimum.gratissium) leaves, red chili (Capsicum frutescens) fruits and black pepper (Piper.guineense) fruits and one inorganic chemical (apron plustrade name) powder, a synthetic formulation) and control. Seed lots were treated with seed treatments recommended doses, packaged inside polyethylene bags and then stored under natural (ambient) conditions (temp 290C, Rh. 75 %) for 180 days (6 months). Seed lots at 60 days interval were assessed for seed germination and seedling vigour attributes. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA and treatment means were statistically seperated. Seeds derived from yellow brown and brown fruits were superior in storage for germination, seedling vigour and characteristics. Treatments with powders of scent leaf, red chilli fruits and black pepper fruits resulted in superior seed germination and seedling vigour attributes over control and apron plus treatments, irrespective of fruit maturity colour and storage periods. The superiority gain in germination, seedling vigour, seedling shoot length and number of leaves of seeds from yellow brown and brown fruits across storage was 42, 82, 89 and 82 %, respectively over seeds from black fruits. Seeds of yellow brown and brown fruits dressed with any of the three organic materials at 10 g/100 g seed and stored for 60 to 120 days showed superiority in germinative performance with robust seedling vigour attributes and is thereby advocated. Apron plus proved deleterious as a seed invigoration material. Use of these three organic crude plant materials as a pre-storage treatments in gmelina seeds hold promise and is recommended as a short-term storage strategy.
Keywords: Seed treatment, seed quality, gmelina seed and seed storability
