Authors: Ajiboye A. A.; Ebofin A. O.; Atayese M. S.; Adedire; M. O. and Agboola D. A.
Abstract
Studies were made on the effect of presowing treatments on seed germination and the effect of ectomycorrhiza on seed germination and seedling growth of Prosopis Africana (Guid and Perr) Taub and Dialium guineensis (wild), two multipurpose savanna tree legumes in Nigeria.
Their selection was based on the role they play in the economy of the savanna. The presowing treatments employed include acide, gravel, emery cloth, dry and wet heat treatment. The seeds of the two species exhibited physical dormancy due to hard seed coat. Experiments on Mycorrhiza dependency was also carried out on the seedling growth of the two species. Dormancy in D. guineensis and P. Africana was terminated by soaking seeds in concentrated sulphuric acid for 5-15 minutes, emery cloth treatments and wet heat treatment. There was high significant effect (P<0.05) of ectomycorrhiza on seedling growth of both D. guineensis and P. Africana. The ectomycorrhiza enhanced petiole length growth, stem girth and leaf area in D. guineesis seedlings while it did not enhance petiole length and leaf area in P. Africana seedlings. The relative field mycorrhizal dependency (RFMD) was higher in P. Africana and very low in D. guineensis seedlings.
Keywords: Seed germination, seedling, savanna trees, presowing treatments, ectomycorrhiza, legumes