Abstract:
Albizia lebbeck is a
multipurpose tree that has many benefits for
the environment and the end user. The extent
to which this tree species is cultivated is very
low due to seed coat dormancy, which
causes a longer germination period and late
seedling growth. This research was done at
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology, located in Kumasi, Ghana, at
the Department of Horticulture, to ascertain
the effect of seed pretreatment on germination
and early seedling growth. Germination was
observed in seeds pretreated with hot water
(100º) for 1 minute (T1), dry heat (90º) for
2 minutes (T2), in 6% hydrogen peroxide
solution for 30 minutes (T3), cold water at
room temperature for 24 hours (T4) and
untreated seed (T5) as the control. The
experiment was conducted using a
randomised complete block design (RCBD)
with three replications. The data obtained for
seed germination percentage were
statistically analysed using one-way analysis
of variance in Statistix 7.0 software, and the
least significant difference at 5% probability
level was used to separate the means of
height, collar diameter and number of leaves.
A comparison between the pretreated and
control seeds showed no significant difference
(P > 0.05) on germination percentage,
germination rate, and root and shoot dry
weights of Albizia lebbeck. However, it had
a positive influence (P < 0.05) on early
growth characteristics. Seeds soaked in cold
water (T4) had maximum early seedling
growth. Hydrogen peroxide treatment (T3)
yielded the highest collar diameter growth.
Hot water treatment (T1) had the lowest
height, collar diameter and number of leaves.
Cold water at room temperature should be
encouraged as a pretreatment method for the
early growth of Albizia lebbeck seedlings.
