Effect of Watering Frequency and Growth Media on Seed Germination and Subsequent Seedling of Cardamom (Elleteria Cardamom) at Tepi South-Western Part of Ethiopia

Cardamom ( Elettaria cardamomum Maton - small ) is the queen of spices, in the home land for spices. Production is much lower mainly due to constraints such as lack of improved variety, Poor agronomic practices. The long duration taken for seed germination is considered as one of the major issues in the propagation of this crop. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the objective of determining growth media and watering frequency on seed germination and subsequent seedling growth of cardamom. The experiment was conducted at Tepi National Spices Research Center. A split plot design with three replications, Growth media seven levels (Forest soil; Top soil; Forest soil: Top soil; Forest soil: Compost; Top soil: Compost; Forest soil: Top soil : compost; Top soil: Compost) and four levels of watering frequency (every day , two , three & four days interval) were assigned as main and sub-plot, respectively. The interaction effect was highly significant (p < 0.05) for emergence of seedling. The highest seed germination percentage and speed of germination (85% and 2.94) respectively, were obtained under seeds sown in mixed forest and compost media combination in (2:1) ratio with watering frequency a day interval. It can be concluded that watering frequency every one day and media of a (2:1) forest soil and compost combinations improved both seed germination and growth of subsequent seedlings.

is located in Southwest of Ethiopia, SNNP Regional State at an elevation of 1200 m.a.s.l and it situated at Latitude of 7 0 10' 54.5'' N and with a Longitude of 35 0 25' 04.3-28.2'' E of Ethiopia. The research station receives average rainfall of 1559 mm annually with maximum and minimum temperatures of 29.7 0 cand 15.5 0 c, respectively.
A split plot design of three replication was employed with media(forest soil alone, top soil alone, mixture of forest and top soil in 1:1 ratio, forest soil and compost in 2:1 ratio, top soil and compost in 2:1, forest soil, top soil and compost in 2:2:1 ratio , and top soil and compost in 2:1 ratio) and watering frequency treatments (every day, every two days, every three days and every four days interval) were assigned as main plot and subplots, respectively. The seven planting growth growth media consisting of forest soil, top soil and well decomposed compost were filled in to black polythene bag of 16 cm wide and 22 cm length. A single experimental unit (plot) consisted of 12 pots. These were arranged in rectangle fashion (3 x 4) on nursery bed with 15 cm spacing between experimental units and 20cm between replications.
Fully ripened red capsules of released Gene variety of cardamom seeds were harvested and seeds were extracted from the capsules and immediately washed with tap water to remove mucilage. Then, uniform and healthy seeds were selected and prepared for sowing. Three seeds were sown in each pot (polythene bag). Watering frequency treatments were applied for each plot every day, two-day, three-day and four-day interval at field capacity level. When it rains, experimental units (plots) were covered by white plastic sheet. After seedlings emerge thinning to one seedling in a bag was done. All recommended nursery management practices, were implemented uniformly to all experimental units. Germinated seedling count was made for each experimental unit when just it was started (14 days after sowing) every a day interval. This count was extended up to 55 days after sowing. Three months after sowing seedling length (cm) was measured by taking ten seedlings for each experimental unit. Seedlings dry (g) were weighed using sensitive balance. Ten seedlings randomly selected from each replicate were cut free from their cotyledons and placed in envelopes and dried in an oven at 80 ± 1 °C for 24 hours. The dried seedlings were calculated to the nearest decimal using sensitive balance and the dry matter yield recorded in (g).

Standard germination (%):
Standard Germination test was setup with four replications (100 seeds on in each replication on plastic bag) as per ISTA working guide.
Speed of germination Speed of germination test was determined with a similar procedure to the standard germination test but the number of germinated seeds were counted and removed every day until there was no further germination (ISTA, 2016) working guide.

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Where: 1… are the number of seed germinated on day 1 to day 1…… is the number of days. Seedling Vigor Test:-Seed vigor index I and II were determined as per (ISTA, 2016) by taking 10 randomly selected normal seedlings at the final counting date from each treatment in the standard germination test. The seedling length of the samples (shoot and root length) was measured using a standard ruler. Dry weight (after oven dried 80 o C for 24 and cooled down for 30 minutes on silica gel) was weighted on a sensitive balance. Vigor Index I and II was then determined by the following formulae (Fiala, 1987). Seed vigor index I = GP x SL and Vigor index II = GP x SDW (g). Where: GP germination percentage, Sl-seedling length, SWD-seedling dry weight

Data analysis
The collected data were processed and analyzed using SAS computer software Version 9.2 (SAS, 2009). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed for each parameters in order to identify the difference among the factors of storage method and period. The significant differences among the treatments were compared using Fisher's Least Significance Difference (LSD) at < 5 % probability level.

Interaction effects of growth media and watering frequency on germination percentage and Speed of germination
The interaction effect of growth media and watering frequency was highly significant (P < 0.05) for both seed germination speed of germination. Highest value of seed germination and speed of germination (85% and 2.94), respectively, were revealed, seeds sown in a mixture of forest and compost (2:1 ratio) and watering frequency every day interval (Table1 and 2), in contrast, the lowest value (56% and 0.85), respectively, were revealed for seeds sown in top soil with watering frequency every four days interval. The results obtained from this study Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol.10, No.7, 2020 3 indicate that cardamom did respond to growth media and level of watering frequency. The lowest germination percentage and speed were observed may be due to the poor ability of moisture holding capacity of the soil for initiating of seedling germination. Okunomo et al.(2009) who obtained a higher germination percentage in top soil with Dacryodes edulis and Persea americana respectively, citing the presence of adequate nutrients for germination and growth in top soil. The assertion contrasted the effect of growth media on germination observed in this study may be explained by Cernac et al. (2006) who stated that germination and seedling emergence is independent of soil nutrient status, but rather depends totally on the cotyledons still attached to the seedling which are rich in stored food reserves until the seedling becomes autotrophic and the ability of the seedlings to utilize these food reserves.

Interaction effects of growth media and watering frequency on seedling length (cm)
Seedling length significantly affected by interaction of growth media and watering frequency. The highest mean values of seedling length (34.52 cm) was recorded for seeds sown in forest soil and compost (2F:1C) mixture and watering frequency once every day interval. Whereas, the lowest value recorded for seedling length was (23.00 cm), for seeds sown in top soil and watering frequency every four days interval. The responses of cardamom seed to growth media types and watering frequency could be associated with the variations in physical and chemical characteristics of the media mixture used in this experiment. The observed variations hence indicate the intolerance of cardamom seed to moisture stress and confirm their requirement for a growth medium possessing a relatively higher water holding capacity. From this study the lowest value observed due to less days of watering frequency than growth media This is consistent with the finding of  application of water frequency every day or every two days increase height, survival rate and root volume of the seedling (Table 2).

Effects of growth media and watering frequency interaction on mean value of days to germination
The interaction effects of growth media and watering frequency was significant (P < 0.05) for mean day of seedling Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol.10, No.7, 2020 4 emergency. The highest mean values of days to emergence (51) were recorded for seeds sown in top soil and watering frequency every four days interval. The results indicate late emergence percentage which takes more time and cost. In contrast, seeds sown in mixture of forest and compost soil mixture with (2:1) ratio with watering frequency every day's interval gave minimum days (25) or results early emergence. On the other hand, daily water application reduced the number of mean day's emergence (Table 4). This result similar with result obtained by Mhango et al. (2008) regular watering is necessary to produce good quality seedlings at economic rate. This is because any stagnation in seedling growth or subsequent mortality may bring about huge economic loss to the grower, as seedlings take long to reach an appropriate size for grafting and transplanting or for sale.

Interaction effects of growth media and watering frequency on seedling vigor index I and II
The results of the present study indicated that, interaction effects of growth media and watering frequency was highly significant (P < 0.01) for both seedling vigor index I and II. Highest value of seedling vigor index I and II (2080 and 79.57), respectively, were recorded for seeds sown in a mixture of forest soil and compost (2:1 ratio) and watering frequency every day interval (Table 5 and 6). While the lowest value (687 and 66.33), respectively, were revealed for seeds sown in top soil and watering frequency every four days interval. The results obtained from this study indicate that cardamom did respond to media and watering frequency treatments. The lowest seedling vigor index I and II were observed may be due to the poor ability of moisture holding capacity of the soil for initiating of seedling germination. The vigorous and fast growth of seedlings may be attributed to better water holding capacity and availability of nutrients for plant growth in mixture of forest soil and compost in (2:1 ratio) and watering frequency every one day interval. While poor growth top soil and watering frequency every four days may be due to low nutritional status for plant growth offered by the medium. The finding similar with work of Tesfaye et al. (2013) frequent watering resulted in higher rate of shoot growth with greater leaf area, stem diameter, leaf and stem weight and height of seedlings.  Vol.10, No.7, 2020 4.0. CONCLUSION Based on the current finding, the results obtained, cardamom seeds sown in mixed forest soil and compost media in 2:1 ratios and watering frequency every day are advised to be used for early and high percentage of emergence. According to the present results of this study it can be concluded that soil media and watering frequency improved both seed germination, rate of emergency and growth of cardamom seedlings.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to thanks Tepi National spices Research Center and Technology Multiplication and Seed Research Directorate, EIAR, for the financial and unreserved moral support during research work. Finally we would like to thank the publishers as well.