PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS OF SOME FACTORS AFFECTING GERMINATION IN SEEDS OF PILIOSTIGMA RETICULATUM Hochst. L.

Abstract

Investigations were conducted into the effects of pretreatment, stage of maturity and mode of storage on germination in seeds of Piliostigma reticulatum. Dry seeds had the highest germination of 48 per cent. Germination increased with treatment time, lower seed weight to acid ratio and increased acid concentration. Highest germination percentage of 80 was recorded when 20g of seed was treated with 2 litres of hot water. Acid treatment recorded highest germination percentage of 76 when seeds were treated with 98% of HCI acid 90 minutes. Result indicated no significant difference (P>0.0.5) in germination value among the three storage options. After 3 months of storage, germination values in acid treated seeds, irrespective of storage option averaged 62%. Irrespective of mode and time of storage, mechanically scarified seeds recorded higher germination percentage  average at 80%.