Optimal Fruit Collection and Seeding Date, Seedling Growth of Baobab in West Kordofan, Sudan
[1]
Yahia Ibrahim Mohammed Abutaba, Department of Forestry & Range Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan, El Obied, Sudan.
[2]
Muneer Elyas Siddig Eltahir, Department of Extension, Training and Documentation, Institute of Gum Arabic Research and Desertification Studies, University of Kordofan, El Obied, Sudan.
The study investigated the effect of fruit collection date, seed planting date and seed pre-germination treatment on seed germination and seedling growth at the nursery, beside the effect of grazing control for seedling and seed germination and survival at the site. Seed pre germination treatments (sulfuric acid (96%), electric burner, dry heat and control) were applied for seed collected in October, November, December and January of the following year and weighed. Treated seeds were dried in January, April and July. Seed germination was recorded and seedling growth was measured weekly from week 5 to week 13 and leaves number per seedling was recorded at week 13. The results showed that the seeds collection date, planting date and scarification treatment showed significant effect on seed germination and to some extent on seedling height and leaves number. Seeds collected in January, had significantly higher germination percent than those collected in October, indicating importance of seed maturity and suitable fruit collection date. Seeds planted in July showed higher germination percentages and longer seedlings and more leaves than earlier planting (January and April). These results also, showed the importance of seed maturity. The effect of seed treatments was significant on seeds planted in January and April. Seed coat scarification using electric burner or concentrated sulphuric acid gave higher germination percentage, especially for seeds planted in January and April. The field study showed significantly higher survival percentage for transplanted and germinating seedlings in protected site compared to unprotected one. This indicates the importance of protection from animals grazing. Accordingly, the study recommends protection of Baobab sites in the state.
Baobab, Seed Collection, West Kordofan, Regeneration, Germination
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