Effects of pre-sowing treatment and seed source on the emergence of Cassia Alata

Abstract

Studies were conducted at National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State in 2009 and 2010 to determine the most efficient pre-sowing treatments to accelerate the germination and emergence of Cassia alata. The trial involved four seed sources Dagwom farm (DA), Dermatophilosis Department (DD), Chugwi village (CHV) and Kuru village (KUV)) and four pre-sowing treatments (Control, Scarification, 24- and 48 hours immersion in tap water) in a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement fitted into randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. It was observed that scarified seeds had the highest percentage emergence (30.4 %) and immersion in tap water for 48 hours had the least percentage emergence (5.8 %) among the substantive pre-sowing treatments. Among the seed sources , DF had the highest percentage emergence (19.4 %) which was however at par with DD (18.3 %) while KUV had the least percentage emergence (I.6 %). Scarified seeds from DF had the highest percentage emergence (58.3%).