CURING-BASED MINI-NUT PROPAGATION TECHNIQUE OF KOLA (Cola nitida, Vent. Schott & Endlicher.): AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH FOR GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH

Abstract

Limited information on science and technical knowledge of raising Cola nitida seedlings in the nursery hinders kolanut farmers to overcome challenges post-harvest dormancy. Experiment was conducted in a screen house at Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of mini-nut techniques, curing in pyramidal device and palm basket on early seed germination and vigorous seedling growth of Cola nitida. Treatments consisted of mini-nut techniques (12.5% embryonic), 25 50, 75 and 100% Cotyledon Portion (CP) and curing media (Pyramid Device (PD), Palm Basket (PB) and PB+PD)). Experiment was 5 x 3 factorial layout in Completely Randomized Design, replicated 3 times. Data collected on seed germination percentage, growth and dry matter production were subjected to analysis of variance and mean comparisons done using DMRT (P ≤ 0.05). Germination commenced at 2 WAS (Weeks After Sowing), in nuts with 25% CP in PD, with 10.0% germination. Other treatments were between 0 and 3.33%. At 8 WAS, nuts with 25% and 50% CP in PD had 100% germination while nuts with 12.5 – 50% PB and PB + PD had 80% germination. Within the same period, nuts with 25% CP in PD produced the tallest plant (34.1cm). Also, 75% CP in PD had significantly wider leaf area (49.1cm²) than those in PB and PB+PD. Nuts with 25, 50 and 75% CP in PD and PB+PD had rapid and uniform germination of Cola nitida, and vigorous seedling obtained within the period of 8 weeks after sowing, in 25 and 75% CP in PD.