ISSN: 2578-4994
Authors: Olayode OO* and Adebeshin AM
Monodora myristica is an important indigenous tree species with seeds that do not readily germinate. This study therefore examined seed germination of Monodora myristica progenies in Ekiti State at the nursery and laboratory. Matured pods of M. myristica were obtained from Otun-Ekiti (7.9903oN and longitude 5.1249oE), Ayegbaju-Ekiti (latitude 7.7930oN and longitude 5.2920oE) and Ise-Ekiti (7.4563oN and longitude 5.4332oE). Seeds were extracted from the pods after they were allowed to ferment for about a week. Weight of 30 seeds in three replicates was determined from each location. One hundred and twenty seeds from each location were sown in germination trays filled with topsoil in four replicates at the nursery. Seeds were subjected to germination in the laboratory using four treatments thus: control (T1), hot water (T2), water at room temperature (T3) and scarification (T4) under both light and dark conditions. Data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) which revealed significant difference (p≤0.05) for mean seed weight among the locations and pretreatments. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was used to separate the means that were significantly different. Mean seed weight differed among locations with Otun-Ekiti having highest value of 44.06g followed by Ise-Ekiti (36.98g) and Ayegbaju-Ekiti with a value of 31.12g. Nursery experiment produced highest mean germination of 91.7% from Ayegbaju, followed by 90% from Otun while Ise had least value of 80.8%. From laboratory experiment, Ise seeds under light condition started germinating at 17 DAS, 10 DAS and 9 DAS under T1, T3 and T4 respectively whereas seeds under T2 did not germinate till end of experiment. Cumulative germination of 53.3%, 40% and 80% were obtained from T1, T3 and T4 respectively. Seeds subjected to different pretreatments but placed under dark condition did not germinate at all. Appreciable germination percentage can be obtained in M. myristica seeds sown soon after extraction with or without pretreatment although soaking in hot water should be totally avoided.
Keywords: Seeds; Pretreatments; Light Condition; Dark Condition
