GERMINATION CHARACTERISTICS OF Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) DEL. SEEDS UNDER VARYING LIGHT AND SOWING ORIENTATIONS IN A SUDANO-SAHELIAN ZONE OF NIGERIA

Öz

Balanites aegyptiaca trees have multiple benefits to people in the arid/semi arid regions of Nigeria. Despite the importance of this species, it is still found in the wild. In order to encourage the domestication of this tree species, this study was conducted to determine the optimum light requirement and best sowing position of B. aegyptiaca seeds that would enhance germination. The experiment was laid out in a 4×3 factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD) and replicated 4 times. Factor A (light) has four levels: 100% (L1) (Control), 75% (L2), 50% (L3) and 25% (L4). Factor B (sowing orientation) has 3 levels: seeds sown vertically with stalk upward (SO1), seeds sown vertically with stalk downward (SO2) and seeds sown horizontally (SO3). Germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (MGT days) and germination speed (GS) were the variables assessed. The results show that, light intensity and the interaction between light did not significantly influence the germination indices assessed. However, exposure to high light intensity (100%) resulted in better GP (13.81±7.18) and GS (2.85±1.84). Sowing orientation was also found not to affect GP and MGT significantly. However, it affects GS significantly. Sowing seed vertically with stalk upward gave better GP (15.79±6.02) but early completion of germination (11.29±7.17 days) was observed when seed were sown horizontally. Seeds sown vertically with stalk upward germinate faster (3.44±1.85). Balanites aegyptiaca seeds should be sown in a vertical position with their stalk upward under moderate light exposure.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Balanites aegyptiaca
• Desert date
• Germination percentage
• Mean germination time

Kaynakça

1. Ahn, J., Song, I., Kim, D., Lee, J.C., Moon, S., Myoung, S and Ko, K., 2017. Effect of Peanut Seed Orientation on Germination, Seedling Biomass, and Morphology in an Oak Tree Sawdust Cultivation System. Horticultural Science and Technology 35(4):402-409. https://doi.org/10.12972/kjhst.20170043
2. Akinyemi, T.E and Sakpere, A.M. 2015. Effect of light regime and water stress on Germination and seedling growth of moringa oleifera Lam. FUTA Journal of Research in Sciences, 2015 (2): 369-377
3. Al-Malki, A.L., Barbour, E.K., Abulnaja, K.O. Moselhy, S.S., Kumosani, T.A and Choudhry, H. 2016. B. aegyptiaca protection against proliferation of different cancer cell Line. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 13(2):25-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajtcam.v13i2.2 25
4. Aref, I.M. 2014. The Effects of Light Intensity on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Of Cassia fistula (Linn.), Enterolobium saman (Jacq.) Prain ex King. and Delonix regia (Boj) Raf
5. Aviara, N.A., Mamman, E. and Umar, B. 2005. Some physical properties of B. aegyptiaca nuts. Biosystems Engineering 92(3) 325- 334. doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2005.07.011
6. Borthwick, H.A. 1957. Light effects on tree growth and Seed germination. Light effects on tree growth and Seed germination. The ohio journal of science 57(6): 357-364
7. Bowers S.A. and Hayden C.W. 1972. Influence of seed Orientation on bean seedling emergence. Agron. J., 64, 736-738 Corbineau, F., Kante, M. and Come, D. 1986. Seed germination and seedling development in the mango (Mangifera indica L.). Tree Physio. 1:151–160.
8. Drake, D. R. 1993. Germination Requirements of Metrosideros polymorp ha, the dominant tree of Hawaiian Lava Flows and Rain Forests. Biotropica, 25(4): 461 - 467.

9. Eberle, C.A., Forcella, F., Gesch, R., Peterson, D and Eklund, J. (2014). Seed germination of calendula in response to temperature. Ind. Crops Prod. 52:199–204.
10. Egli, D.B. and Rucker, M. 2012. Seed vigor and the uniformity of emergence of corn seedlings. Crop Science 52:2774-2782. doi:10.2135/cropsci2012.01.0064.
11. Elfeel, A.A. 2012. Effect of seed pre-treatment and sowing orientation on germination of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. seeds. Am-Euras. J. Agr. and Environ. Sci. 12:897–900.
12. El-Nour, M. and Kalislo, M. 1995. Effect of Pulp and Positioning of Seeds on Germination and Juvenile Development of Heglig (Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del.) Journal of Agricultural Sciences, University of Khartoum, 3(1): 87-97.
13. Fankhauser, C and Chory, J. 1997. Light control of plant developmeot. Annual Review of Cell Developmental Biology, 13:203-29.
14. Fenner, M. l 980. Germination tests of thirty-two East African weed species. Weed Research, 20: 135-138.
15. Hall, J.B. and Walker, D.H. 1991. Balanites aegyptiaca; A monograph. School of Agricultural and Forest Sciences Publication, University of Wales, pp: 3.
16. Kevin, K.K., Bernard, N.K., Laurent, K.K., Ignace, K.K., Pierre, B.J and Arsène, Z.B. 2015. Effects of seed orientation and sowing depths on germination, seedling vigor and yield in oleaginous type of bottle gourd, Lagenaria siceraria (Molina Standl). Int Res J Biol Sci 4(12):46-53
17. Kubmarawa, D., Andenyang, I. F. H. and Magomya, A. M. 2008. Amino acid profile of two non-convetional leafy vegetables, Sesamum indicum and B. aegyptiaca. African Journal of Biotechnology 7 (19):3502 -3504
18. Maguire, J.D. 1962. Speed of germination - aid in selection and evaluation for seedling emergence and vigor. Crop Science 2:176-177
19. Menegaes, J.F., Arbieri, G.F., Belle, R.A., Nunes, U.R. 2018. Photoblastic and temperatures in the germination of cockscomb seeds. Ornam hortic (campinas) 24(4):408-414 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14295/oh.v24i4.1233
20. Morsya, A.M., Ahmad, I.A and Kame, A.M. 2010. Some biomedical applications of Balanites aegyptiaca grown naturally in radioactive area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt. Journal of Hazardous Materials 178:725–728
21. Muhanguzi, H,D., Obua, J and Oryeni-origa, H. 2002. Influence of light quality on germination characteristics of seeds of selected pioneer, understorey and canopy tree species in Kalinzu forest reserve, Uganda. Ugandan Journal of Agricultiral Sciences 70:23-30.
22. National Research Council. (NRC 2008). Lost Crops of Africa. Volume III: Fruits, Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press. Download from http://nap.edu/11879 on 28/11/2016
23. Ojo, O.O., Nadro, M.S., Tella, I.O. 2006. Protection of rats by extracts of some common Nigerian trees against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. African Journal of Biotechnology 5, 755–760.
24. Okia, C.A., Ager, J.G., J., Kwetegyeka, Okiror, J., Kimondo Z., Teklehaimanot and Obua J. 2013. Nutritional value of commonly consumed desert date tree products. African Crop Science 21(3): 657 – 667
25. Onyekwelu, J.C., Stimm, B., Mosandl, R. and Olusola J.A. 2012. Effects of light intensities on seed germination and early growth of Chrysophyllum albidum and lrvingia gabonensis seedlings. Nigerian Journal of Forestry 42: 58-67
26. Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R. , Jamnadass, R. and Anthony, S. 2009. Agroforestry database: A tree reference and selection guide version 4.0. Retrieved January, 03, 2018 from http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/treedbs/treedatabases.asp
27. Pons, T.L. 2000. Secd responses to ligbt. ln: Fenner M. (ed). Seeds: the eco1ogy of regeneration in plant communities. New Yorlt, NY: CAB International
28. Sarvas, R. 1950. Effect of Light on the Germination of Forest Tree Seeds. Oikos, 2(1):109-119. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3564665 Accessed: 27-06-2016 03:18 UTC
29. Sayda, M., 2002. Studies on the physiological, environmental and biochemical factors affecting the germinability of some forest tree species seeds. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Khartoum.
30. Souza, M.L. and Fagundes M. 2017. Seed predation of Copaifera langsdorffii (Fabaceae): a tropical tree with supra-annual fruiting. Plant Species Biology 32: 66-73
31. Tabakovic, M., Simic, M., Stanisavljevic, R., Milivojevic, M., Secanski1, M and Postic, D. 2020. Effects of shape and size of hybrid maize seed on germination and vigour of different genotypes. Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research 80(3):381- 392 doi:10.4067/S0718-58392020000300381
32. Varshney, A. and Anis, M. 2014: Trees: Propagation and Conservation Biotechnological Approaches for Propagation of a Multipurpose Tree, Balanites aegyptiaca. Del. Springer New Delhi Dordrecht Heidelberg London New York Pp. 116
33. Vasquez-Yanes, C. and Orozco-Segovia, A. 1993. Seed doimancy in the tropical rainforest. In: Reproductive ecology of tropical forest plants, K.S. Bawa and M. Hadley (Eds). UNESCO and Panthenon Publishing, London, pp. 247-259.
34. Wakawa, L.D and Akinyele, A.O. 2016. Effects of pretreatment on the germination response of old seed of Tetrapleura tetraptera (schum. and thonn.) taub. J. For. Sci. Env. 1(2): 81 – 86
35. Ya’ua, J., Abdulmalika, U.N., Yarob, A.H., Chindoa, B.A., Anukaa, J.A and Hussaini, I.M. 2011. Behavioral properties of B. aegyptiaca in rodents. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 135:725–729
36. Zhang,C., Wu, F., Fu, D., Wang, L., Chen, J., Cai, C. and Ou, L. 2015. Soaking, Temperature, and Seed Placement Affect Seed Germination and Seedling Emergence of Litchi chinensis. Hortscience 50(4):628–632. 2015.