Effects of source, water conditioning and thermal treatment on germination of <em>Ricinodendron heudelotii</em> (baill.) seeds

Abstract

A study was undertaken to identify suitable source and appropriate treatment methods of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) seeds to improve germination on large scale. The experimental methods of treatment were burning of dry grass on the seeds and soaking the seeds in water. Burning of 5 kg of Panicum maximum (Jacq.) at 15 % moisture content amounting to 61.3 MJ was the optimum thermal treatment for achieving germination of 69 %. R. heudelotii seeds soaked in water for 15 days at moisture content of 24 % over dry weight followed by thermal treatment improved germination by 22 %. The highest germination of 79 % was obtained for seeds collected from Daaso (within the dry semi-deciduous forest inner zone) on which 5 kg of Panicum maximum (Jacq.) at 15 % moisture content was burnt. To promote high germination rates, Ricinodendron heudelotii seeds should be collected from Daaso area and the seeds should be soaked in water for 21 days followed by burning of 5 kg of Panicum maximum (Jacq.) at 15 % moisture content on the seeds.