EFFECT OF SOME PRE SOWING TREATMENT ON GERMINATION OF DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera)

Abstract

Phoenix Dactylifera is a dioecious plants belonging to the family Arecaceae consisting of
more than 2000 genera and over 2000 species (Diaz et Al, 2003) the plant is distributed
throughout the drier and semi desert region of the world extending from north west Africa
and Asia. Seed dormancy is a trait that prevents germination when condition is suitable for
germination. A field experiment was carry out at nursery of the faculty of agriculture Bayero
University, Kano to assess the effect of pre sowing treatment on germination of Date palam
(Phoenix Dactylifera) under four different treatment (Hot water, Concentrated sulphuric
acid, water at room temperature, and control) with varying of time soaking in (Hot water) at
5minutes, 10minutes, 15minutes.Acid at 3minutes, 5minutes and 8minutes, water at room
temperature at 12hours, 24hours and 36 hours. Giving 4 treatment combinations laid out in
completely randomize design with 4 replications. Germination rate was recorded highest in
acid for 3minutes and hot water at 15minutes throughout the experiment. Acid at 8minutes
did not germinated this mean that the acid probably kills the seed embryo that is why did not
germinate. In term of hot water and water room temperature germination increase with
increase in time of soaking seed dormancy is among the major problem of date palm
cultivation and such need to be tackle in a causative term to meet global food demand.