DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Studies were made on the dormancy and proximate analysis of Prosopis Africana (Guil & Perr) Taub and Dialium guineensis (wild).This is with aim of improving percentage germination in the seeds of these species. Some standard methods of releasing seed dormancy were used. Percentage germination range in fresh seeds of P. africana and D. guineensis was 0-10%. The seeds of the two tree species exhibit physical dormancy due to hard seed coat. Dormancy in P. africana and D. guineensis was terminated by soaking of seeds in 90% concentrated sulphuric acid for 10-15 minutes; and mechanical scarification using coarse sand, gravel and emery cloth abrasion. The percentage germination in pretreated seeds ranged between 70-100%. The emery cloth treatments gave the best result. The proximate analysis of the seeds including the moisture content, dry matter, fibre content, crude protein content, crude fibre content, ash content and carbohydrate content were estimated. The seeds of P. Africana and D. guineensis contain moisture content (%) of 8.64 and 12.62, dry matter content (%) of 9.36 and 87.38; Iron (%) 4.57 and 8.85; crude protein (%) 78.00 and 21.61; crude fibre (%) of 2.43 and 2.33; Ash content (%) 2.19 and 4.71 and total carbohydrate (%) 54.19 and 51.88 respectively. Keywords: Dormancy, germination, seeds, seedlings, savanna, trees, scarification, proximate analysis