Germination and seedling growth of flame of the forest (Delonix regia) as affected by scarification method and dipping duration.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Horticultural nursery of Federal University of Technology, Minna to investigate the influence of scarification method and dipping duration on the germination and seedling growth of flame of the forest (Delonix regia). The treatments consisted of two factors (i) Scarification methods used in breaking dormancy: H2SO4 (70 %): Gibberellic acid (0.2 g/L) and untreated (control) (ii) Dipping duration of 10, 20 and 30 minutes. The treatments were arranged in 2x4 factorial in a completely Randomised Design with five replications. Data collected on germination parameters, were subjected to Analysis of variance and treated means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at p<0.05. Scarification method had a significant effect on Delonix regia seeds treated with H2SO4 at 30 minutes dipping had the highest germination percentages (88 %) at (9 – 30 Days After Sowing) followed by seeds dipped for 20 minutes (65 %) and 10 minutes (50 %). Seeds of Delonix regia treated with GA3 had the highest number of branches per plant at dipping duration of 30 minutes, while seeds treated with GA3 had the broadest leaf area (268.4 cm2) at dipping duration of 30 minutes. Seeds treated with GA3 at 30 minutes dipping had the tallest plant height of (52.0 cm) followed by those dipped for 20 minutes (49.0 cm) and 10 minute (46.0 cm). Control (untreated) seeds recorded the lowest number of branches (15), with the least plant height of (27.6 cm).