Effect of storage methods on the germination and early growth performance of African bread fruits (<i>Treculia africana</i>)

Abstract

Inadequate drying and storage devices, large volumes of high quality seeds are lost for planting as well as for eating, and so there is a need in getting appropriate storage methods. The study is set to evaluate effect of storage methods on germination and early growth performances of African breadfruits were investigated. A total of 360 seeds in three replications of 60 seeds were subjected to six storage media clay pot, open basket, jute bag, wooden boxes, Jerrican and control (fresh seed) the storage aspect was monitored for 4 weeks. The seedlings produced were thereafter transplanted into the nursery bed with poly bags in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). The seedlings were assessed for plant height, number of leaves, number of branches and leaf area. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Germination percentage across the storage methods revealed that seeds without storage (control) recorded the highest germination percentage of (96%) closely followed by wooden box (93%) while Jute bags (78%). The least percentage germination (63%) was recorded for Seed stored in open basket. Plant height recorded the highest mean value (98.5cm) from seed without storage; the control closely followed by seed stored in Wooden Box (95.6cm) open basket recorded the least value (33.4cm). There was significant increase in the number of leaves (P> 0.05).The control recorded the highest number of leaves (40.3) followed by wooden box (35.4) while seeds planted in open basket obtained the least leaves count (10.5). The mean number of branches was higher for T. africana seed without storage (Control) which recorded (30) branches, while the least numbers of branches was obtained from seed stored in clay pot 9 branches. Leave area was significantly higher (P>0.05) (65.5cm²) from the control, wooden box closely followed (54.6cm²) with the Jerrican device recording the least leave area (25.3cm²). It is therefore recommended that fresh seeds of T. africana be sown fresh. Where long term storage is needed, wooden boxes should be used, but the local farmers may employ the use of jute bag to store T. africana seed meant for planting.

Keywords: Storage Methods, Germination, Growth Performance, Wooden box, African breadfruits