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ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted between December 2023 and April 2024 at the Department of Crop Science screen house, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Ugbowo Campus, Benin City to evaluate the effect of hot soaking time and topsoil/cattle dung potting mixture on the seedlings growth of soursop. The trial involved three topsoil (TS) and cattle dung manure (CD) potting mixture (TS+CD 1:1, TS+CD 1:2 and TS+CD 2:1) and three Soaking time (0,5 and 10 seconds) laid out in a 3×3 factorial arrangement fitted into a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. Data were collected on growth parameters (plant height, stem girth, number of leaves and leaf area) taken at 8 ,12 and 14 weeks after sowing (WAS). Results showed that growth and dry weight of soursop seedlings were significantly influenced by topsoil/cattle dung manure potting media and soaking time. However, soaking time had no effect on shoot dry weight, total dry weight and root: shoot ration. Plants grown in TS+CD media had the tallest plant (29.90cm), thickest stems (2.03cm), highest number of leaves (11.73) and largest leaf area (293). Leaf area was larger in plant grown from seed soaked in hot water for 10 seconds (261cm²). Plant grown in TS+CD 1:1 media had the highest shoot dry weight (2.16g), dry root weight (0.60g) and total dry weight (2.75g). Dry root weight was highest in plants without soaking (0.60g). This study suggest the use of TS+CD 1:1 potting media without hot water for raising of soursop seedlings.
