EFFECT OF SOME GROWTH HORMONES ON SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF SOME SAVANNA TREE LEGUMES

Abstract

Studies were made on the effect of some growth hormones including Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), Indole Butyric Acid (IBA), Kinetin and Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) on seed germination and seedling growth of four savanna tree legumes. The tree species include Prosopis africa ( Guil & Perr) Taub (Mimosoidae); Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) r. Br. Ex G. Don (Mimosodiae); Albizia lebbeck (linn) Benth (Mimosoidae) and senna siamea (Lam) Irwin Barneby (Caesalpinoidae), 0.01-0.04ppm IAA enhanced germination in P. africana and S. siamea. 0.01-0..05ppm kinetin retarded germination in P.biglobosa, P. africana and S. siamea. 0.01-0.05ppm –GA₃ enhanced germination in A. lebbeck and P. africana. 0.01-0.03ppm IBA enhanced plant height and dry weight in S. siamea and only plant height and dry weight in S. siamea and only plant height only in P.biglobosa. IBA (0.03-0.04ppm) enhanced leaf number in P. biglobosa and A. lebbeck. Kinetin (0.01-0.05ppm) enhanced leaf number in P.biglobosa. GA₃ enhanced leaf number and plant height in P.biglobosa and plant height in A. lebbeck