Pre-Sowing Treatments Pathways for Enhancing Milletia thonningii (Schum. and Thonn.) Seeds Germination in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savanna Ecology Zone of Nigeria

Pre-sowing treatment applications has greatly enhanced the germination of seeds oftree species used in afforestation programmes all over the world. Pre-Sowing Treatments Pathways for Enhancing Milletia thonningii (Schum. and Thonn.) Seeds Germination in Kaduna Northern Guinea Savanna Ecology Zone of Nigeria was studied at the Savannah Forestry Research Station Nursery. The treatments consisted of Boiled water (100ºC) for 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 15 minutes; diluted sulphuric acid (H2S04) soaking time for 10minutes, 15 minutes and 20 minutes; Seed scarification (sand papering and cracking) and control. Ten (10) seeds from each of the treatments were sown in germination boxes containing sterilized riverbank sand and replicated three (3) times. The experimental design adopted was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data from germination were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 95% (P> 0.05) level of probability. Results revealed that the seed of Milletia thonningii (Schum. and Thonn.) seeds scarified showed a significant germination percentage (89.52±6.23) than any other methods, followed by soaking in sulphuric acid (H2S04) for 15 minutes (69.62±6.23) then, soaking in hot water for 15 minutes which gave (36.86±11.76). However, the seeds in the control were significant (P>0.05) lower in germination percentage (2.12±6.23) than any other methods applied. Therefore, it is concluded that for effective, sustainable and fast multiplication of germination of Milletia thonningii (Schum. and Thonn.) seeds in the tree nursery for afforestation programmes scarification methods should be adopted.