Seed germination and seedling growth of <i>Ceiba Pentandra</i> (L) as influenced by different soil types in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Ceiba pentandra is a fast growing multipurpose tree with great socio-economic potentials. It is known to be used majorly for timber and its fibre. Lately, it has been documented to have medicinal properties as it has been used to treat leprosy, conjunctivitis, fever, trypanosomiasis among others. Its high value in plywood manufacturing has caused its increased rate harvesting. Natural regeneration efforts have been found to be insufficient and minimal information is available on its nursery requirements. This study was conducted to evaluate the effort of sowing media on its germination and early seedling development. Viable C. Pentandra seeds were sown in polythene bags filled with 5kg each of topsoil (TS), Clay soil, Humus Soil (HS) and Sterilized river sand (RS). The sterilized river sand (RS) served as control. Four weeks after sowing (4WAS), thinning was done and data taken up to a period of 6 months. Pots filled with sterilized River Sand (RS) showed the first radical emergence 3 days after sowing (DAS) followed by the topsoil (TS) which emerged on the 4^th day. The first 1radical emergence occurred in clay soil (CS) 7 days after sowing (DAS) while it occurred in humus soil (HS) on the eighth day. All the sowing media gave 100% germination at the end of 14 days. This study showed that both humus and top soils are the best media to use in the nursery establishment of C. pentandra. 

Keywords: seed germination, sowing media, effect, nursery