Abstract

Water is a fundamental requirement for plant growth, playing a crucial role in food production and nutrient transportation. This study evaluates the effects of water stress on the germination and growth performance of Adansonia digitata seedlings. The experiment was carried out at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, using mature fruits sourced from Federal Department of Forestry, Ibadan. Germination trials were conducted with twenty seeds per treatment, replicated three times. Fifty robust two-month-old seedlings were transplanted into polythene pots, with 10 replicates per treatment. The watering treatments consisted of five watering regime, arranged in CRD. Seedling height, collar diameter, leaf area, and number of leaves were recorded fortnightly over a twelve-week. Biomass measurements were taken at weeks six and twelve, with calculations for RGR, NAR and AGR. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and mean differences were determined using LSD. The results revealed that seeds subjected to daily watering achieved the highest germination percentage (75.4%), whereas the lowest germination rate (10.0%) was observed under the seven-day watering interval. Although no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected among treatments for growth parameters, seedlings under daily watering consistently exhibited the highest values for height, collar diameter, leaf area, and leaf production, while those subjected to the longest watering interval (T5) showed the lowest values. Water stress negatively affected biomass production and other physiological parameters. The study underscores the importance of adequate water availability during the nursery stage to promote the successful establishment of healthy A. digitata seedlings.

Key Words: Water stress, Growth performance, Adansonia digitata, Seed germination