GERMINATION STUDY ON NAUCLEA DIDERRICHII (DE WILD & TH.DUR.) MERRIL

ABSTRACT

Germination study on Nauclea diderrichii was conducted at a nursery in Ekosodin, Ovia NorthEast Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. Matured fruits of N diderrichii were collected under a mother tree and the seeds extracted by crushing. Two germination bowls were used for broadcasting the processed seeds of N. diderrichii and then covered with transparent cellophane. Data collected for germination include germination type, number of germinant per day (GPD) and total germinant per day (TGPD). The parameters used to compare the germination data for representation and accuracy were: Final Germination Percentage (FGP), Mean Germination Time (MGT), Coefficient of Velocity of Germination (CVG), Germination Rate Index (GRI), First Day of Germination (FDG), Last Day of Germination (LDG), and Time Spread of Germination (TSG). Germination data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while calculations for germination parameters were done using commands from the Excel Program 2010. Result of germination and subsequent calculations of seeds of Nauclea diderrichii reveals that FDG occurred 14 days after sowing (DAS) exhibiting epigeal germination and ended 45 DAS. 20.62% germinability was recorded over MGT of 28.86 days with 4.77 uncertainty level of germination process. The low germinability obtain in this study may be due to climatic conditions at the time of this study while the high value of TSG (31 days) recorded is an indication of the difference in germination speed between the fast and slow germinating members. The use of germination data analysis methods is prone to mis-interpretation if germination percentage, speed, spread and concentration are not taken into account in one measurement.