Advanced search

Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions ›› 2019, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (5): 350-359.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1226.2019.00350.

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Seed germination and seedling growth of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb., African false nutmeg

Sakpere A.M.A.   

  1. Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State 230103, Nigeria
  • Received:2019-08-09 Accepted:2019-09-28 Online:2019-10-31 Published:2019-11-12

RichHTML

30944

PDF (PC)

720

Abstract:

This study investigated the germination behavior and seedling growth of Pycnanthus angolensis seeds. The germination study was carried out in the laboratory and included pretreatment studies and observation of the seed-germination process. For each treatment, three replications of 20 seeds were sown in a transparent plastic germination box (12cm × 22cm × 5cm) lined with moistened filter paper at room temperature. To monitor seedling growth, seedlings were transplanted into pots filled with topsoil and laid out in a completely randomized design. Ten seedlings replicated thrice were measured monthly; and the shoot height, leaf area, and root length, as well as the fresh and dry weights of the seedlings, were recorded. Results showed that mechanically scarified seeds exhibited the significantly highest germination percent (83.33%, P <0.005), followed by control seeds (70.83%), whereas seeds treated with 98% sulphuric acid (H2SO4) displayed the lowest germination percent (1.67). The endospermous seeds exhibited cryptogeal germination, while seeds stored for a month (with or without arils) failed to germinate. During seed germination, radicle protrusion continued with a pseudo-opening of the root, through which the brownish cotyledonary petiole was emitted, thus releasing the plumule at the posterior position. Moreover, P. angolensis exhibited a slow growth rate, attaining a shoot height of 73 cm within a year. The highest positive change in leaf number and area was recorded in the fourth month, a period during which the least change in shoot height occurred. The study concluded that mechanical scarification of the seeds ensured significant and faster germination than chemical scarification or no treatment at all. Additionally, P. angolensis displayed a cryptogeal germination, with the seedling growth of the tree species observed to be slow.

Key words: cryptogeal germination, cotyledonary petiole, pretreatment, tree

Figure 1

Pycnanthus angolensis: (a) dehiscent drupe; (b) hard, thin-coated seeds with reddish arils; and (c) hard, thin-coated seeds without arils"

Table 1

Effect of different seed pretreatments on germination of fresh Pycnanthus angolensis seed"

Treatment Germination rate Peak germination (days) Germination percent
Control (untreated) 2.53 28 70.83%±0.40b%
Mech. scarified 2.97 28 83.33%±2.36a%
H2SO4 (50%), 40 min 0.27 28 7.50%±0.35d%
H2SO4 (50%), 20 min 0.45 24 10.84%±0.341c%
H2SO4 (98%), 2 min 0.075 22 1.67%±0.00e%

Figure 2

The longitudinal section of Pycnanthus angolensis seeds: (a) before germination; both (b) and (c), after germination"

Figure 3

Germinating seeds of Pycnanthus angolensis shown at (a) day 4, (b) day 6, (c) day 7, (d) day 8, (e) day 21, (f) day 23, (g) day 25, and (h) day 30"

Figure 4

Germinating seeds of Pycnanthus angolensis shown at (a) day 32, (b) day 34, (c) day 38, and (d) before transplanting, respectively"

Figure 5

Five-month-old seedlings from freshly collected Pycnanthus angolensis seeds"

Figure 6

Growth rate of Pycnanthus angolensis seedlings (a) with respect to the number of leaves and the total leaf area and (b) the change in growth rate with respect to the number of leaves and the leaf area"

Figure 7

Change in the growth rate of Pycnanthus angolensis seedlings with respect to shoot height and root length from the first month to the twelfth"

Figure 8

Change in the growth rate of Pycnanthus angolensis seedlings with respect to the fresh shoot weight, root weight, and total plant weight from the first month to the twelfth"

Figure 9

(a) Growth rate of Pycnanthus angolensis seedlings with respect to dry matter (shoot weight, root weight, and total plant weight) from the first month to the twelfth; (b) Change in growth rate with respect to dry matter (shoot weight, root weight, and total plant weight) from the first month to the twelfth"

Ancolio C , Azas N , Mahiou V , et al. , 2002. Antimalarial activity of extracts and alkaloids isolated from six plants used in traditional medicine in Mali and Sao Tome. Phytother Reserves, 16: 646-649. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1025 .
doi: 10.1002/ptr.1025
Ayisire BE , 2014. Seedling growth and propagation of some Economic tree species via Tissue culture Techniques. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis, pp. 6-18.
Babalola FD , 2006. Sustainable management strategies for recruitment of economic timber species in a degraded natural tropical lowland rainforest. Nigerian Journal of Forestry, 36 (2): 79-90.
Baes PO , Viana M , Silvia S , 2002. Germination in Prosopis ferox seeds: effects of mechanical, chemical and biological scarificators. Journal of Arid Environment, 50: 185-189. DOI: 10.1006/jare.2001.0859 .
doi: 10.1006/jare.2001.0859
Baskin CC , Baskin JM , 2005. Seed dormancy in trees of climax tropical vegetation type. Tropical Ecology, 46(1): 17-28.
Bello OA , Akinyele AO , 2016. In vitro seed germination of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw).African Journal of Agriculture, Technology and Environment, 5(2): 40-50.
Berjak P , Pammenter NW , 2004. Recalcitrant seeds. Application to Agriculture, pp. 305-345.
Brahman M , 1996. Effects of presowing treatments for hastening the germination of E . cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Gruseb and Hemenaea courberil L., The Indian Forester, 122(8): 740-745.
Burkill HM , 2000. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, pp. 235-238.
Burrows GE , 1986. Axillary meristem Ontogeny in Araucaria cunninghamii Aiton ex. D. Don, Australian Journal of Botany, 34: 357-375. DOI: 10.1071/bt9860357 .
doi: 10.1071/bt9860357
Burrows GE, Boag TS , Stockey R , 1992. A Morphological Investigation of the Unusual Cryptogeal Germination Strategy of Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) An Australian Rain Forest Conifer. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 153. DOI: 10.1086/297056 .
doi: 10.1086/297056
Chimsah F , 2015. Growing of shea; principles and practice for plantation developments. A presentation at the 2015 Global Shea alliance Conference, Burkina Faso, pp. 23-25. (In press)
Clarkson JR , Clifford HT , 1987. Germination of Jedda multicaulis . J.R. Clarkson (Thymelaeceae): an example of Cryptogeal germination in the Australian Flora. Australian Journal of Botany, 35: 715-720. DOI: 10.1071/bt9870715 .
doi: 10.1071/bt9870715
Denny C , Zacharias ME , Ruiz AL , et al. , 2008. Antiproliferative properties of polyketides isolated from Virola sebifera leaves. Phytother Reserves, 22: 127-130. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2251 .
doi: 10.1002/ptr.2251
Dike MC , Aguguom AC , 2010. Fruits/seeds weights, flight patterns and dispersal distances of some Nigerian rainforest tree species. ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 5(3): 56-64.
Duncan DB , 1955. Multiple ranges and multiple F-test Biometrics. International Biometric Society, 11: 1-24. DOI: 10.2307/2527799 .
doi: 10.2307/2527799
Fang S , Wang J , Wei Z , et al. , 2006. Methods to break seed dormancy in Cyclocarya paliurus (Batal) Iljinskaja. Scientia Horticulturae, 110: 205-309. DOI:10.1016/ j.scienta.2006. 06.031 .
doi: 10.1016/ j.scienta.2006. 06.031
Germplasm Resources Information Network: GRIN . (2008). Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. In Notizbl. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 1:100. 1895.
Hoyt P , Bradfield R , 1962. Effects of leaf area by defoliation and plant density on dry matter production of corn. Agronomy Journal, 58: 523-533. DOI: 10.2134/agronj1962.0002 1962005400060017x .
doi: 10.2134/agronj1962.0002 1962005400060017x
International institute for Tropical Agricuture (IITA)-www.reforest-iita.org (2012), PMB 5320, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Jackson G , 1974. Cryptogeal germination and other seedling adaptations to the burning of vegetation in the savanna regions: the origin of the pyrophytic habit. New Phytology, 73: 771-780. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1974.tb01305.x .
doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1974.tb01305.x
Katende AB , Birnie A , Tengnas B , 1995. Useful trees and shrubs for Uganda. Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA).
La Frankie JV , 2010. Trees of Tropical Asia. An Illustrated Guide to Diversity. The Gardens's Bulletin, Singapore, 62(4): 329-330. DOI: 10.1600/036364411x605119 .
doi: 10.1600/036364411x605119
Mansoor TA , Ramalho RM , Luo X , et al. , 2011. Isoflavones as Apoptosis Inducers in Human Hepatoma HuH-7 Cells. Phytother Revision, 20: 63-72. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2007. 01.001 .
doi: 10.1016/j.sajb.2007. 01.001
Mng'omba SA , Du Toit , Akinnifesi FK , et al. , 2007. Repeated exposure of jacket plum (Pappea capensis) micro-cuttings to indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) improved in vitro rooting capacity. South African Journal of Botany, 73: 230-235. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3498 .
doi: 10.1002/ptr.3498
Mapongmetsem PM , 2007. Pycnanthus angolensis . (Welw.) Warb In Vossen HAMvd, Mkamilo GS (eds.PROTA 14: Vegetable oils/Oléagineux. Wageningen, Netherlands.
Mapongmetsem PM , Duguma B , Nkongmeneck BA, et al. , 1999. The effect of various seed pretrements to improve germination in eight indigenous tree Species in the forests of Cameroon. Annals of Forestry Science, 56: 679-684. DOI: 10.1051/forest:19990805 .
doi: 10.1051/forest:19990805
Naidu CV , Rajendrudu G , Swamy PM , 1999. Effect of temperature and acid scarification on seed germination of Sapindus trifolitus vahl. Seed Science and Technology, 27: 885-892.
Oboho EG , Igharo B , 2017. Effect of Pre-Germination Treatments on Germination and watering regime on early growth of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw)Warb. Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, 10(3-2): 62-68. DOI: 10.9790/2380-1003026268 .
doi: 10.9790/2380-1003026268
Onefeli AO, Akinyele AO , 2013. Effect of Hormone and Nodal positions on Stem cuttings of P . angolensis Welw. and Z. xanthoxyloides Lam. Agriculture and Forestry, 59(2): 127-135. DOI: 10.17707/AgricultForest .
doi: 10.17707/AgricultForest
Onefeli AO, Akinyele AO , 2014. Macropropagation of Dennettia tripetala Baker. South-east European forestry, 5(2): 135-144. DOI: 10.15177/seefor.14-09 .
doi: 10.15177/seefor.14-09
Orwa C , Mutua A , Kindt R , et al. , 2009. Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0. In World Agroforestry Centre ICRAF.
Pitto D , Montagnini J , Kannien M , et al. , 2004. Forest plantation in Costa Rica and Nicaragua: performance of species and reference of farmers. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 18: 59-77. DOI: 10.1300/j091v18n04_04 .
doi: 10.1300/j091v18n04_04
Purohit S , Nandi SK , Palni MS , et al. , 2015. Effect of sulfuric acid treatment on breaking of seed dormancy and subsequent seedling establishment in Zanthoxylum armatum DC: An endangered medicinal plant of the Himalayan region, National Academu Science letters, 38(4): 301-304. DOI: 10.1007/s40009-015-0349-5 .
doi: 10.1007/s40009-015-0349-5
SAS Institute 2004. System Analysis Software 9.1.2 Qualification Tools User's Guide. Institute Inc. SAS , Cary, NC, USA .
Swai REA , Maduka SM , Mbwanbo L , et al. , 2004. Domestication of indigenous fruit and medicinal tree species of Tanzania: A synthesis. In Rao MR,Kwesiga FR (eds.) proceedings of regional Agroforestry Conference on Agroforestry Impacts on Livelihoods in Southern Africa: Putting Research into practices, World Agroforestry Centre, pp. 59-65.
Tsaassi VB , Hussain H , Tamboue H , et al. , 2010. Pycnangloside: a new cerebroside from bark of Pycnanthus angolensis . Natural Product Communique, 5: 1795-1798. DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1000501121 .
doi: 10.1177/1934578x1000501121
Ugese FD , Ojo AA , Bello LL , 2005. Effect of presowing treatment and nut orientation on emergence and seedling growth of seeds of shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). Nigerian Journal of Botany, 18: 294-304.
[1] ShengChun Xiao,XiaoMei Peng,QuanYan Tian,Gong Zhu. Stem radial growth indicate the options of species, topography and stand management for artificial forests in the western Loess Plateau, China [J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2019, 11(3): 226-238.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Mohan Bahadur Chand,Rijan Bhakta Kayastha. Study of thermal properties of supraglacial debris and degree-day factors on Lirung Glacier, Nepal[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 357 -368 .
[2] AiHong Xie,ShiMeng Wang,YiCheng Wang,ChuanJin Li. Comparison of temperature extremes between Zhongshan Station and Great Wall Station in Antarctica[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 369 -378 .
[3] YanZai Wang,YongQiu Wu,MeiHui Pan,RuiJie Lu. Comparison of two classification methods to identify grain size fractions of aeolian sediment[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 413 -420 .
[4] YinHuan Ao,ShiHua Lyu,ZhaoGuo Li,LiJuan Wen,Lin Zhao. Numerical simulation of the climate effect of high-altitude lakes on the Tibetan Plateau[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 379 -391 .
[5] Zhuo Ga,Za Dui,Duodian Luozhu,Jun Du. Comparison of precipitation products to observations in Tibet during the rainy season[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 392 -403 .
[6] Rong Yang,JunQia Kong,ZeYu Du,YongZhong Su. Altitude pattern of carbon stocks in desert grasslands of an arid land region[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 404 -412 .
[7] Yang Qiu,ZhongKui Xie,XinPing Wang,YaJun Wang,YuBao Zhang,YuHui He,WenMei Li,WenCong Lv. Effect of slow-release iron fertilizer on iron-deficiency chlorosis, yield and quality of Lilium davidii var. unicolor in a two-year field experiment[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 421 -427 .
[8] Ololade A. Oyedapo,Joseph M. Agbedahunsi,H. C Illoh,Akinwumi J. Akinloye. Comparative foliar anatomy of three Khaya species (Meliaceae) used in Nigeria as antisickling agent[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(4): 279 -285 .
[9] YuMing Wei,XiaoFei Ma,PengShan Zhao. Transcriptomic comparison to identify rapidly evolving genes in Braya humilis[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 428 -435 .
[10] FangLei Zhong,AiJun Guo,XiaoJuan Yin,JinFeng Cui,Xiao Yang,YanQiong Zhang. Sociodemographic characteristics, cultural biases, and environmental attitudes: An empirical application of grid-group cultural theory in Northwestern China[J]. Sciences in Cold and Arid Regions, 2018, 10(5): 436 -446 .