Abstract

Boiled water pre-sowing treatment regime for improvement of germination, survival and early growth performance of Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev. Seeds.The study was conducted in Savannah Forestry Research nursery at Bomo, Zaria.  Matured seeds of F. albida were harvested, dried and cleaned, each treatment replicate, one hundred (100) F. albida seeds were immersed in boiled water (100ºC) for 0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 150 seconds and then, soaked in water at room temperature for 24 hours as control. Seeds were then sown in drills on well prepared seed beds, watering was done to keep the soil moist in the morning and late evening and then observed for germination. The experiment was laid down using Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD). The results revealed that Germination index (P= 0.72), Mean Germination Time (P = 0.77), Days to Final Germination (P= 0.34), and Number of leaves (<0.001)   were not significantly influenced by pre-sowing treatment. While, pre-sowing treatment significantly influenced Final Germination percentage (<0.001), Germination Rate (<0.001), Survival Percentage (P =0.05), Seedling height (<0.003), Root length (<0.004), Total seedling length (<0.001) and Collar diameter (P=0.0014). Boiled water pre-sowing treatment was found to be effective in enhancing the seed germination and growth of F. albida seedlings at varying degrees in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savannah Ecological zone. However, it is recommended that for easy multiplication of seedlings of Faidherbia albida for plantations establishment in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone, immersing seeds in boiled water at 100⁰C for 15seconds or 150 seconds before soaking in tap water for 24 hours T3(15/24) and T7(150/24) were effective and recommended for nursery workers.

Key Words: Savannah, Boiled water, Growth, Germination, Kaduna, Dormancy, Inhibition