Influence of Seed Treatments on Germination and Seedling Growth of Soursop Annona Muricata

Abstract

At the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, study was carried out in the screenhouse of College of Plant Science and Crop Production (COLPLANT) to determine the germination of seeds and seedling growth of Annona muricata as affected by different seed treatments.  The seeds that were extracted from fruit, depulped, washed, air dried for 48 hours and stored for 38 days were subjected to the following seed treatments prior to sowing: soaking in cold water for 72 hours, soaking in cold water for 96 hours, scarified and control. The result indicated significant effect only at 22 days after sowing (DAS) in seeds soaked for 72 hours with 13 % germination compared to all other treatment that has no germinated seed. However at 25 DAS higher germination percent was recorded in the seeds soaked in water with 96 hour soaking (40%) and trend was consistent until 43 DAS with 67 % which was similar to untreated seeds. It was observed that scarification resulted in consistently lowest values (27 -50 %). The seedling growth was enhanced by seed treatment especially soaking in cold water compared to untreated seeds that gave abnormal seedlings. The seedlings from 96 hours soaking had the tallest seedling (14 cm) 71 DAS while other treatment had values in the range of 11 - 11.7 cm. Earlier leaf formation was encouraged by soaking in cold water compared to scarification and control.

Key words: Soursop, seed treatment, germination, seedling, growth, abnormal seedlings