Abstract

Aman Abeje* and Endalkachew Esayas

The study was conducted to explore the effects of different seed treatments on germination and seedling growth performance of Balanites aegyptiaca L., Cordia africana (Lam.) and Annona muricata L. at Arba Minch district, southern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with 6 treatments for each species. The treatments were control, soaking in hot water for 5 minutes, soaking in cold water for 24 hours, soaking hot-cold water for 2-1 minutes, abrasion with sand paper and Nicking with seed clipper. Each treatment was replicated four times. A total of 1800 treated seeds were sown comprising of 600 seeds per species and 150 seeds per replication. The analysis of variance revealed that almost all germination and growth parameters of Cordia africana, Balanites aegyptiaca and Annona muricata were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by seed pretreatments. Among all seed pretreatments, abrasion showed maximum value of Cordia africana and Balanites aegyptiaca. While, socking seeds in cold water for 24 hours was more effective in germination and growth parameters of Annona muricata. The study recommended further studies required on other parameters such as germination energy, germination energy index and seedling vigor .