Effect of sources and periods of organo-priming on the germination of <i>Vitex doniana</i> sweet seeds

Abstract

There is paucity of quantified information on the simple, safe and natural methods of breaking the dormancy of Vitex doniana seeds. In this light, investigation was conducted on organo-priming which is the use of organic materials in priming in order to break the dormancy of V. doniana seeds, at the screen house of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Kaduna State, Nigeria during 2018 dry season. The solutions of the leaves of nitrogen fixing trees are sources of organic materials used in organo-priming. Effect of sources (Prosopis africana, Jacaranda mimosifolia, Pentaclethra micropylla, Vitex doniana, Enterelobium cyclocarpum, Casuarina equisetifolia) and periods (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hrs) of organo-priming on the germination of V. doniana seeds was laid down in split-plot experimental design with five replicates. A significant germination percentage value of 64 % was recorded in seed organo-primed in J. mimosifolia and P. microphylla. The least mean germination time of 3.2 days was recorded in seeds soaked in E. cyclocarpum. A significant germination percentage value of 100% was recorded in seeds organo-primed in J. mimosifolia for 18 hours. Organo-priming significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the germination of V. doniana seeds. The research therefore recommends organo-priming of V. doniana seeds in solution of leaf litter of J. mimosifolia for 18 hours.

Keywords: Soaked, Primed, Dormancy, Natural, Germination