ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF TAMARIND (Tamarindus indica L) SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS
ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF TAMARIND (Tamarindus indica L) SEEDS AND SEEDLINGS
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Date
1992-05
Authors
GANKON, BARNABAS A.
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Abstract
A s t u d y on the aspects of the B i o l o g y of Tamarindus i n d i c a L
was c a r r i e d out from 6 / 7 / 9 0 - 24/12/90, in Z a r i a which is in
the Northern Savanna zone of N i g e r i a.
Tamarjndus i n d i c a L is an economic t r e e of much v a l u e.
Almost a l l i t s p a r t s are u s e f u l . Although i t i s of such
economic v a l u e , p u r p o s e f u l propagation of t h e p l a n t in
N i g e r i a is not done.
A p e r i o d of dormancy is e x h i b i t e d by Tamarind. To r e l e a se
t h i s dormancy p e r i o d , v a r i o u s treatments were used, these being
mechanical s c a r i f i c a t i o n , c o n c e n t r a t e d s u l f u r i c a c i d , pulp
e x t r a c t soaking f o r 5 days, D i s t i l l e d water soaking f o r 5 days,
Hot water t r e a t m e n t s at 50°C f o r 30 and 120 m i n u t e s , 70°C f or
30 and 60 m i n u t e s , and 90°C f o r 5 and 10 minutes t i m e exposures.
A c o n t r o l of n o n - t r e a t e d seeds was used.
Four experiments were conducted to determine the g e r m i n a t i on
and e p i c o t y l emergence of the seed and s e e d l i n g s . From t h is
t h e speed of g e r m i n a t i o n of 3 d i f f e r e n t seed l o t s was
determined along s i d e w i t h the v a r i o u s t r e a t m e n t s . Morphological
aspects of the seeds and s e e d l i n g s were also determined.
The data were analysed using percentages, means, Analysis
of v a r i a n c e (ANOVA) and C o r r e l a t i o n . ANOVA at P = .05, LSD
and SSR showed s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e between t r e a t m e n t s and
seed l o t s , w i t h no d i f f e r e n c e between r e p l i c a t e s f o r the
r e l a t i o n s h i p between t r e a t m e n t s and seed l o t s to g e r m i n a b i l i t y.
There was s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e s between t r e a t m e n t s on the
day g e r m i n a t i o n was f i r s t n o t i c e d ; w i t h the c o n c e n t r e a t ed
s u l f u r i c a c i d treatment having e a r l i e s t g e r m i n a t i o n and also
h i g h e r percentages, f o l l o w e d by Mechanical s c a r i f i c a t i o n t r e a t m e n t.
Epicotyl emergence was similar to germination. Early
germination also resulted to early epicotyl emergence.
The earlier the germination and epicotyl emergence, the
earlier the seedlings establishment. The vigorous seed lots
were determined using a visual vigour rating scale which
considered germination, epicotyl emergence speed, number
of leaves, and leaflets, stem and root length, and
seedlings dry weight with the result showing the C seed lot
best followed by A and then B seed lots.
Germination in Tamarind is epigeal. No difference
between seed lots as regards to number of leaves, within
the experimental period existed, but there was for
leaflets. The range for the number of leaflets was 6 - 11
pairs. The seedling's paired Eophills were found to be
opposite each other with 4 stipules while other leaves
alternate and have 2 stipules each.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, AHMADU BELLO
UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE
(EDUCATIONAL BIOLOGY)
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA
Keywords
ASPECTS,, BIOLOGY,, TAMARIND,, Tamarindus indica L,, SEEDS,, SEEDLINGS