TITLE:
Seed Germination and Effects of Three Watering Regimes on the Growth of Dialium guineense (Wild) Seedlings
AUTHORS:
O. Olajide, A. A. Oyedeji, G. S. Tom, J. Kayode
KEYWORDS:
Dialium guineense, Seeds, Dormancy, Pre-Germination, Seedlings Growth, Watering Regimes
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.5 No.20,
September
29,
2014
ABSTRACT: The effectiveness of three pre-germination treatments in breaking
dormancy of the seeds of Dialum guineense and effects of three watering regimes on the growth performance of the
seedlings were investigated. The pre-germination treatments were: soaking in
hot water for 10 seconds and cooling down in cold water (T1),
soaking in cold water for 24 hours (T2), soaking in running water
for 48 hours (T3) and control (T4), while watering
regimes include: watering once daily in the morning (W1), watering
once every two days in the morning (W2) and watering once every
three days in the morning (W3). The results showed that germination
occurred first at 5 days after sowing (5 DAS) among the seeds soaked in cold
water for 24 hours before sowing (T2), while the untreated seeds
(control) took the longest period of 12 days before germination occurred. T1 had the highest germination value of 49.6% while T3 had the least of
31.2%. The effects of watering regimes were found to be significantly different
on stem-collar diameter, leaf area and total dry weight (P 2 and W3 supported the best growth performance. It is concluded from the results that T2 should be adopted for breaking the dormancy of Dialium guineense seeds and watering interval of three days would
not dispose the seedlings to water-stress.