Abstract

The germination requirements of seeds of four savanna tree species, Burkea africana, Detarium microcarpum, Entada africana and Pterocarpus erinaceus, were investigated. Seeds of all species except P erinaceus were subjected to mechanical scarification, sulphuric acid or hot water treatments. Seeds of all four species were incubated under different constant temperatures of 20 degrees C to 40 degrees C, in light or darkness, or exposed to various dry heat treatments. The results show that mechanical scarification and exposure to sulphuric acid for 15 and 20 minutes resulted in significantly higher germination of B. africana seeds. Scarified and non-scarified seeds of D. microcarpum and E. africana germinated close to 100%; confirming that seeds of these species are not dormant and dispersed seeds can readily germinate provided that favorable germination conditions exist. Seeds of all species germinated equally well in light and darkness and the optimal germination temperature ranged between 25 and 35 degrees C except E. africana seeds that germinated well at all temperature regimes. For all dry heat treatments, germination was high for E. africana followed by D. microcarpum, P. erinaceus and the lowest being for B. africana seeds. High temperature heat shock (90 and 100 degrees C) was found detrimental to the germination of seeds of all species.

Published in

Seed Science and Technology
2005, Volume: 33, number: 3, pages: 581-593
Publisher: ISTA-INT SEED TESTING ASSOC

SLU Authors

• Zida, Didier

  • Department of Silviculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Tigabu, Mulualem

  • Department of Silviculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Oden, Per

  • Department of Silviculture, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15258/sst.2005.33.3.06

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/43869