Abstract

An experiment was conducted on enhancement of germination of Pentaclethra macrophylla seed at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. Seeds were subjected to three different mechanical scarification treatments, three water treatments and a control to break the seed dormancy. The experiment was a complete randomized design replicated three times. Seedling emergence was observed daily. Number of days to first seedling emergence, interval between first and last emergence, duration of emergence, germination count and percentage germination were assessed.  Germination indices: SG, MGT, MDG, PV and GV were calculated using the method of Czabator (1962). Mean germination count was also analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and separated with Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability. From the result, T1 (73.33%) and T2 (60%) performed better than other treatments and control (20%). Days to seedling emergence and interval between germination were considerably lower at T1 (8; 9) and T2 (7; 9) compared to other treatments including control (19; 18). The SG was lowest at T4 and control (0.09, 0.12) while the PV and GV were highest at T1 (0.33, 0.215) andT2 (0.29, 0.168) respectively, the least value of PV and GV (0.05, 0.004) were observed on control. The result from mean separation showed that T1 (3.67) and T2 (3.00) were significantly higher compared to control and better than other treatments. To enhance the improvement of the species, seeds of Pentaclethra macrophylla should be mechanically scarified preferably at the hilum point as this will prompt germination and facilitate uniformity in seedlings growth.

Key Words: Indigenous Species, Pentaclethra. macrophylla, Pre-treatment, Plant improvement, Seed dormancy