EFFECTS OF WATER SOAKING AND LIGHT ON THE DORMANCY OF GARCINIA KOLA (HECKEL) SEEDS (Published)
Freshly collected fruits were extracted for the seeds and air dried for 3 days. The coat of the seeds were removed and subjected to 5 treatments namely: no soaking (T1), soaking for 24 hours (T2), 48 hours (T3), 72 hours (T4) and 96 hours (T5). The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 10 seeds per treatment inside polythene bags. Germination commenced on the 2nd week for seeds soaked for 72 hours (T4) and 96 hours (T5) respectively. Germination was delayed and scanty in T1 and T2 compared to other treatments. The germination period ranged between 12 to 62 days. Duration of soaking significantly affected the cumulative germination, complete dormancy period, number of radicle, length of radicle, height of plumule and number of primary leaves at (p≤0.05). Germination of G. kola seeds can be done based on the information given in this study.
Keywords: Dormancy Breaking, Garcinia Kola, Germination, Light, Seed, Soaking Period