Germination Viability and Growth Rate of Cordia Africana in Anno Town, Oromia Regional State, West Ethiopia
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Date
2018-01-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study was conducted on the germination and growth rate of Cordia africana from
March 16, 2010 to May 26, 2010 in Anno nursery. In the distant past, our world covered
by different tree species. However, after the arrival of European powers in Africa, the
species of Cordia africana began declining. Uncontrolled encroachment and clearing of
forest land have been on process and continue until know. Planting and establishment of
trees on degraded land should be the first important step in soil rehabilitation and
reclamation. The objective of the study was to determine the germination potential and
growth rate of Cordia africana. The ripened seeds were collected from dominant trees
from the wild. The seeds were soaked in water for three days. After the seeds were
purified, it was kept in water for consecutive eight days. Hundred seeds were selected
and planted in pre-prepared seed bed of 1x10 m each at the depth of 1 cm and between
seeds distance of 15x15 cm. The seeds were covered slightly by soil and then covered by
dry Setaria megaphylla. Each seed bed was watered 8 liters three times per day until the
seeds germinate. As germination begun before two week, the grass was removed and then
the shade was constructed at 1m above the germinated seed and watered 8 liters 2 times
per day up to the end of the study. The maximum germination was observed on 14th day.
Of hundred seeds only eighty of them were germinate. Each seedling was assigned a
random number (1-80). Watering, mulching and guarding measures from herbivore
damage and weeding were handled by workers of the center. Data on germination, height
and survival percentage were collected every14th day (in 4 rounds) for two months:
namely April and May. Of the 80 seedlings, 2 of them dried/wilted and one seedling was
damaged at the study site. As a result, from 80 seedlings three of them were discarded
from the data. Germination parameters such as germination percentage mean
germination time, and germination vigor were calculated and the relative growth rate in
height of the seedlings of Cordia africana was determined. The mean heights of the
seedlings for 56 days were 5.38 cm and the highest relative growth height was 0.035 cm-1
day.- 1The overall rate was 96.25 %. The soil of the study site was lower than the
standard. This work concludes that, despite the poor nutrient status of the study site, the
germination, growth performance, and percentage survival were reasonably moderate,
indicating the potential of Cordia africana to germinate and grow on degraded site
provided that intensive management, along with provision of water during hot, dry
season are maintained.
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Keywords
Cordia Africana, Germination, Growth Rate, Survival Percentage