research article germination and early growth assessment

Research ArticleGermination and Early Growth Assessment ofTamarindus indica L in Sokoto State Nigeria

Abubakar Gwaram Bello and Zubairu Yakubu Gada

Department of Forestry and Environment Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto PMB 2346 Sokoto State Nigeria

Correspondence should be addressed to Abubakar Gwaram Bello belloabubakar08yahoocouk

Received 13 October 2014 Revised 7 January 2015 Accepted 11 January 2015

Academic Editor Piermaria Corona

Copyright copy 2015 A G Bello and Z Y Gada This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons AttributionLicense which permits unrestricted use distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properlycited

Germination and early growth assessment of Tamarindus indica L were conducted to determine the suitable medium forgermination and seedlings establishment of the species in Sokoto State Nigeria The viable seeds of the study species were treatedwith Conc H

2SO4for 30 minutes and boiling water for one hour and by soaking in water at room temperature for 12 hours

The treated seeds were placed in Petri dishes containing filter paper for germination assessment The results indicated 68ndash95germination of T indica seeds within 3ndash19 days Conc H

2SO4treatment gave the highest germination percentage of 95 T indica

seeds were treated with Conc H2SO4for 30 minutes and sown into four (4) different potting mixtures for early growth assessment

Collar diameter seedlings height and leaf number were the parameters measured Seedlings grown in themixture of river sand andcow dung (2 1) had the highest seedlings height and leaf number while the highest collar diameter was obtained from seedlingsgrown in the mixture of river sand and poultry droppings (2 1) However growing T indica in the mixture of river sand and cowdung (2 1) after 30 minutes pretreatment was recommended

1 Introduction

11 Germination of Seeds Desertification deforestation anderosion are the most prominent factors responsible for biodi-versity loss as well as soil degradation in the savanna regionsThese resultant negative effects can be minimised throughafforestation programmesHowever to achieve the aimof anyregeneration programme seed collection and germinationmust be taken into consideration although germination ofseeds is often very difficult formany useful species principallybecause of dormancy In view of this it is necessary to identifythe most appropriate way of raising seedlings under differentpotting media (potting mixture) in the nursery

Germination simply refers to a series of changes wherebyan embryo grows into a seedling [1] It involves absorptionof water by the seed and splitting of seed testa giving rise toplumule (which grows upward and develops into stem andbranches) and radicule (that grows downward and developsinto root system) Germination can be either epigeal orhypogeal In the former the cotyledon appears above thesoil surface as in the germination of T indica while in the

latter the cotyledon remains beneath the ground for examplegermination of oil palm seeds

Regardless of individual seed variety as well as ecologicalconditions of plants natural habitat there are three conditionsnecessary for germination these include moisture tempera-ture and atmospheric oxygen [2] Seeds absorb water fromthe soil by a process of imbibition which leads to the swellingand breaking of the seed coat Following imbibition processhydrolytic enzymes (hydrolase) are activated which breakdown the stored food substance into metabolically usefulchemicals Atmospheric oxygen is obtained by the seeds fromthe soil pore spaces which is often used in aerobic respirationto supply energy until it grows out leaves (beginning ofphotosynthesis)

Temperature requirements for germination vary withspecies Many seeds germinate at temperatures slightly above60ndash75∘F (16ndash24∘C) though there are certain seeds thatrequire exposure to cold temperature (vernalization) in orderto break dormancy for exampleHelleborus niger of the familyRanunculaceae [3] Nwoboshi [4] stated that low temperature

Hindawi Publishing CorporationInternational Journal of Forestry ResearchVolume 2015 Article ID 634108 5 pageshttpdxdoiorg1011552015634108

2 International Journal of Forestry Research

prolongs the length of seed viability hence creating artifi-cially low temperatures has been found useful in seed storageHigh temperatures affect germination of seeds by influencingthe water holding capacity of the soil which thus determinesto a large extent the survival of germinating seeds [5]

12 Tree Growth Growth manifests itself as an irreversiblechange in size and form Physiologically it may be regardedas synthesis of protoplasm accompanied by a permanentchange in size and form [6] Growth and development of treesis very important in forestry since it determines the amountof wood a forester can reasonably cut and the time intervalrequired for trees in the forest to reach merchantable sizeHowever growth forms the basis for sustained yield forestmanagement [7]

Forest trees continue to grow for most part of theirlives [4] However this growth does not occur in any casehaphazardly all over the tree or at the same rate throughoutthe life of a tree rather it was restricted only to some growthcentres or meristematic tissues found at the tips of shoots androots as well as in the vascular cambium of trees The growthinitiated in the shoot and root meristems accounts for all theincrease in length of the tree axis at both stem and root tipsand it is responsible for the formation of lateral appendagessuch as branches leaves lateral roots and root hairs as wellas the floral parts while the activity of vascular cambiumaccounts for the increase in diameter [8] The knowledge ofgrowth pattern as well as the growth centres in trees is of greatsilvicultural significance as it determines to a large extent howvarious environmental and cultural practices affect growth

Generally early growth assessment is of paramountimportance in the choice of species to plant in any plantationestablishment Because if the choice is not properly con-ducted experience has shown that no matter how carefullythe crop is subsequently tended the final result will bepoor and mostly unprofitable therefore in any plantationprogramme attempt should always be made to plant the rightspecies in the right place [4]

13 Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) T indica is a leguminoustree in the family fabaceae native to tropical Africa Thegenus is a monotypic taxon having only a single species [9]It is cultivated widely in India Bahamas West Indies andUSA among others [10] The species is a slow-growing onelong lived massive tree reaches under favourable conditiona height of 12ndash24m and a trunk circumference of 75m Thebright green fine feathery foliage is composed of pinnateleaves each having 10ndash15 pairs of oblong leaflets 125ndash25 cmlong and 5-6mm wide which fold at night [11]

The leaves are bright green in colour and shade briefly invery dry areas during the hot seasonThe flower is composedof five petals which are yellow with orange or red streaksThe fruits are flattish bean like and irregularly curved andwith bulged pods which are borne in great abundance alongthe new branches and usually vary from 5 to 16 cm longand 2 to 33 cm in diameter [12] The pods may be brownor greyish brown in colour which are composed of about 1ndash12 fully formed hard seeds which are glossy burn squarish

in form (11ndash125 cm in diameter) and each is enclosed in aparchment-like membrane However the species grows wellin clay loam sandy and acidic soil types with a high droughtand aerosol salt resistance A matured tree under favourableconditions may annually yield 150ndash225 kg of fruits [10]

The food uses of T indica are many the tender immaturevery sour pods are cooked as seasoning with rice fish andmeats in India [10] The fully grown but still unripe fruitscalled ldquoswellsrdquo in Bahamas are roasted in coal until theyburst and the skin is peeled back and the sizzling pulp isdipped in wood ashes and eaten [9] In Northern Nigeriadrinks (ldquotsamirdquo) are prepared from the pounded and boiledpods The leaves are eaten by cattle and goats Tamarind pulpwas found to supply 538 and 876 of the total essentialand aromatic amino acids respectively (FAOWHOUNUstandard) [13]

T indica is used as traditionalmedicine in India PakistanBangladesh Nigeria and most of the tropical countries Itis used traditionally in the treatment of abdominal paindiarrhoea dysentery helminthes infections wound healingmalaria and fever constipation inflammation cell cytotoxi-city gonorrhoea and eye diseases It has numerous chemicalvalues and is rich in phytochemicals and hence the plant isreported to possess antidiabetic antimicrobial antivenomicantimalarial antiasthmatic and antihyperlipidemic proper-ties [14]

Tamarind wood was found to be useful in makingfurniture wheels mallets rice pounders mortars pestlesploughs tent pegs canoes side planks for boats cart shaftsand axles and naves of wheels toys oil presses sugar pressesprinting blocks tools and tool handles turnery and so on[14] However in Northern Nigeria the tamarind wood isused in making mortars and pounders

Despite food wood and medicinal values of T indica inSokoto State today only few stands of the species remaineddue to exploitation without proper management Thereforein view of this germination and early growth of T indica inSokoto State were studied

2 Materials and Method

21 Study Area The study area is Sokoto in Nigeria situatedbetween latitude 11ndash13∘ 051015840N and longitude 40ndash05∘ 151015840E Itfalls within the Sudan savanna zone characterised by twodistinct seasons (wet and dry seasons) of varying durationand intensity The state has a total land mass of about 25973 3 km2 The rainy season is short often 3-4 months(usually fromMay to September) with highest fall in AugustThe mean annual rainfall is 550mmndash750mm with relativelyhigh temperature though it varies with season The meanannual temperature is 34∘C [15] The vegetation of the areais characterised by few scattered trees amongst dominatingherbaceous layers which are threatened by the inhabitants asa result of over exploitationwithout replacement In additiontemperature rainfall and wind are the main climatic factorsthat are aggravating lack of vegetation in Sokoto state

Therefore the effect of climatic factors on seedlingsestablishment tree growth and development can however be

International Journal of Forestry Research 3

modified by correct potting media and pretreatments in thepropagation of seedlings

22 Experimentation The research work is comprised oflaboratory tests and nursery activities Two hundred (200)seeds of Tamarindus indica were obtained from Forestryand Fisheries Research Laboratory of Usmanu DanfodiyoUniversity Sokoto The average weight of 10 seeds of thespecies is 5 g and 05 gseed Germination assessment consistsof 15 observation plots (Petri dishes) and each contains 10viable seeds of the study species Similarly 16 observationplots (polythene bags containing pottingmixtures) were usedfor early growth assessment The whole experiment wasconducted in a controlled condition therefore data analysiswas conducted descriptively

23 Viability Test There are several ways for testing seedsviability these include scarification cutting test excisedembryo technique biochemical method colour methodtransparency and germination method as well as floatationtechnique However floatation method is the fastest way oftesting seeds viability which is based on the observation thatempty or nonviable seeds float while viable seeds sink or settledown to the bottom of the container [16] In this experiment200 seeds of T indica were soaked into a 400mL beakercontaining water and observed for 10 minutes to identify theviable seeds

24 Germination Test

241 Concentrated Sulphuric Acid (Conc H2SO4) Treatment

In this experiment 50 seeds of T indica were soaked into abeaker containing 200mL of Conc H

2SO4for 30 minutes

which is accompanied by stirring in order to ensure equaltreatment of the seeds The treated seeds were then washedthoroughlywithwater and transferred to the Petri dishes con-taining moistened filter paper for germination assessment

242 Hot Water Treatment A 400mL beaker was filled withwater and heated to a temperature of 100∘C using electricheater Fifty (50) viable seeds were soaked into the boilingwater and the heat source was immediately removed theseeds were allowed to settle in gradually cooling water fora period of one hour and then transferred to the Petridishes containing moistened filter paper for germinationassessment

243 Normal Water Treatment Similarly in this trial 50viable seeds were soaked in 400mL beaker containing200mL of water (at room temperature) for 12 hrs The seedswere removed and transferred to the Petri dishes containinga moistened filter paper to examine the seed germination

25 Early Growth Assessment of Tamarindus indica

251 Collection of Potting Mixtures Cow dung was collectedfrom Adarawa village and river sand and topsoil from

Kwalkwalawa village while fertilizer was obtained from Karamarket Sokoto

252 Pot Filling However prior to the filling of containersthe soil was sieved using 2mm mesh to remove stones andother particles The cow dung was also crushed and sievedA 25 cm times 20 cm sized polythene bags were filled with soilmixtures in the nursery manuretopsoilriver sand (1 1 2)manureriver sand (1 2) poultry droppingsriver sand (1 2)and fertilizerriver sand (285 gNPK1m3 soil)

253 Seed Sowing The seeds of the study species werepretreated with Conc H

2SO4for 30 minutes before direct

sowing into the polythene bags for early growth assessmentAccording to Colleen [17] seed should be planted at a depthof three times its diameter However in this research thesowing depth was 3 cm Watering was carried out once ina day (early morning) and twice in a day after completegermination (ie early morning and late evening)

254 Data Collection During early growth assessment dataon seedlings height collar diameter and leaf number werecollected at 7-day interval after complete germination andstopped at 8th week

3 Results and Discussion

31 Result of Viability Test The viability of T indica seedsusing floatation method was found to be 99 an indicationthat the seeds are pure and ready for any regeneration processThis agreed with Pamela [16] that floatation method was thebest for testing the viability of seeds relatively larger than thesize of tomato seeds

32 Germination of T indica Conc H2SO4showed complete

germination after 3 days and gave the highest germinationpercentage (95) followed by soaking in boiling water (80)whose complete germination was in 12 days while normalwater treatment had complete germination in 19 days andgave 68 germination (Table 1) Therefore it was evidentthat all the pretreatments are very effective in hasteninggermination of T indica seeds

This result can be compared favourably with the findingof Muhammad and Amusa [18] who reported that seedsof T indica germinate within 3 days after 60 minutes ofpretreatment with Conc H

2SO4 The assessment also tallies

with the work of Abubakar and Muhammad [19] in whichseeds of T indica were pretreated with Conc H

2SO4and

100 germination was recorded The results obtained in thisresearch were also in line with the work of Ajiboye [20] whorecorded 70ndash100 germination of T indica seeds pretreatedwith Conc HCL for 10 minutes within 3ndash5 days

Germination percentage of 80 was observed from hotwater (100∘C) pretreatment This opposed the finding ofByrd [21] that reduced germination percentage and seedlingsvigour were observed due to high temperature which is verycommon with seeds that are exposed to great heat especiallywhen hot water and light burning pretreatment are applied to


Table 1 Effects of pre-treatment on germination of T indica seeds

Pre-treatmentMean number of days

before completegermination (days)

Meangerminationpercentage

()Conc H2SO4 3 95Boiling water 12 80Water at roomtemperature 19 68

seeds in order to break their dormancy Higher germinationpercentage obtained from hot water treatment agreed withthe findings of Abubakar and Muhammad [19] Accordingto them an experiment was carried out with T indica bytreating the seedswith hotwater at 100∘Cand the germinationpercentage was 80

However regardless of the purpose of plantation estab-lishment Conc H

2SO4 hot water and normal water pre-

treatments are very essential in breaking dormancy andhastening germination of T indica seeds This is as a resultof the treatmentsrsquo ability to soften seed coat making itpermeable for water and nutrients

33 Early Growth Assessment of Tamarindus indica SeedlingsThe choice of appropriate potting media in propagatingseedlings is of great silvicultural importance However thepotting mixtures used in this research agreed with theopinion of Aklibasinda et al [22]

Table 2 showed that river sand and poultry droppings(2 1) gave the highest collar diameter of 040 cm and riversand and cowdung (2 1) 036 cmwhile 033 cmwas recordedfrom themixture of river sand topsoil and cowdung (2 1 1)The results obtained in this research agreed with the findingof Ugese [23] where 038 cm was recorded as mean collardiameter of T indica seedlings grown in the mixture ofrice hull poultry manure and river sand (2 3 1) Similarlythe mixture of river sandcow dung (2 1) gave the highestleaf number of 10 leaves followed by river sandtopsoilcowdung (8 leaves) and the least was 6-leaf number given byriver sandNPK This opposes the work of Ugese [23] whoobtained 366 as leaf number of T indica seedlings grownin the mixture of rice hull poultry manure and river sand(2 3 1) within 8 weeks The potting mixture that gave thehighest seedlings height was river sandcow dung (2474 cm)followed by river sandtopsoilcow dung (1850 cm) while theleast was in river sandNPK (1325 cm) This agreed with thework of Banwar [24] According to him seedlings height ofabout 22 cmwas recorded on T indica seedlings grown in thepotting mixture of cow dungriver sand (2 1) The finding ofthis research also agreed with the work of Ugese [23] whorecorded 206 cm as T indica seedlings height grown in themixture of rice hull poultry manure and river sand (1 2 3)

However the performance of seedlings in the nursery hasshown a direct relationship with the pretreatments employedThis was in line with the findings of Nwoboshi [4] that the

Table 2 Effects of potting mixtures on growth parameters of Tindica

Potting mixture Mean seedlingsheight (cm)

Mean leafnumber

Mean collardiameter(cm)

Riversandpoultrydroppings

1625 75 040

River sandtopsoilcow dung 1850 8 033

River sandNPK 1325 6 035Riversandcowdung 2474 10 036

main chemicals to be used in the tropics andNigeria for seedspretreatment are Conc H

2SO4 H2O2 and NaOH

4 Conclusion

All the pretreatments applied in the laboratory proved effec-tive and Conc H

2SO4treatment gave the highest germina-

tion percentage which is attributed to its ability to soften seedcoat thereby rendering it permeable for water and nutrientsthus hastening germination while the potting mixture ofriver sand and cow dung (2 1) was the best in terms ofseedlings vigourThis was due to easymovement of water andnutrients as well as absorption by the root system

5 Recommendations

From the results obtained in this experiment the followingrecommendations were made

(1) Floatation method is cheap fast and easy to adopthence it is recommended for small andmedium sizedseed viability test

(2) Considering the cost and availability of the inputswater pretreatment is recommended

(3) The time for Conc H2SO4pretreatment should not

exceed one hour as long time soaking of T indicaseeds in acid (Conc H

2SO4) may destroy seeds em-

bryo thereby hindering germination(4) River sand and cow dung (2 1) mixture as the

most readily available and effective input was recom-mended as potting mixture for propagating T indicain the nursery

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interestsregarding the publication of this paper

References

[1] P H Raven F E Ray and E E Susan Biology of Plants WHFreeman New York NY USA 7th edition 2005


[2] C Baskin Seeds Ecology Biography and Evolution of Dormancyand Germination chapter 6 Academic Press London UK2001

[3] N S Gama-Arachchige J M Baskin R L Geneve and C CBaskin ldquoQuantitative analysis of the thermal requirements forstepwise physical dormancy-break in seeds of the winter annualGeranium carolinianum (Geraniaceae)rdquo Annals of Botany vol111 no 5 pp 849ndash858 2013

[4] L C Nwoboshi Tropical Silviculture Principles and TechniquesIbadan University Press 1982

[5] R Diane ldquoSeed germination and soil temperature Virginiacooperative extensionrdquo Virginia Gardener Newsletter pp 1ndash21997

[6] L C Nwoboshi Tropical Silviculture Technique A Field Labora-tory Guide Ibadan University Press 1980

[7] D M Smith The Practice of Silviculture John Wiley amp SonsLondon UK 7th edition 1962

[8] F Jennifer and M David Tree Growth Characteristics Univer-sity of Tennessee Extension 2009

[9] D Mercola Food Facts 2014 httpfoodfactsmercolacomTamarindhtml

[10] J F Morton ldquoTamarindrdquo in Fruits of WarmClimates pp 115ndash121 1987 httpwwwhortpurdueedunewcropmortontama-rindhtml

[11] B Hopkins and D P Stanfield Savanna Tress of Nigeria IbadanUniversity Press 1966

[12] H J Von Maydell Trees and Shrubs of the Sahel Their Charac-teristics and Uses 1990

[13] A A Adeola ldquoAmino acid composition of tamarind fruitsgrowing wild in Oyo Townrdquo Fountain Journal of Natural andApplied Sciences vol 2 no 1 pp 1ndash5 2013

[14] S S Bhadoriya A Ganeshpurkar J Narwaria G Rai andA P Jain ldquoTamarindus indica extent of explored potentialrdquoPharmacognosy Reviews vol 5 no 9 pp 73ndash81 2011

[15] Anonymous ldquoSokoto Staterdquo 2014 httpenmwikipediaorgwikiSokoto State

[16] K Pamela ldquoThe quickie seed viability test for seedsaversand tradersrdquo 2012 httpnaturalfamilytodaycomlifestylethe-quickie-seed-viability-test-for-seed-savers-and-traders

[17] V Colleen ldquoHow to tellhow deeplyseeds should be plantedrdquo2014 httporganicgardeningaboutcomodorganicgarden-ing101fseedplantingdepthhtm18062014

[18] S Muhammad and N A Amusa ldquoEffects of sulphuric acidand hot water treatments on seed germination of tamarind(Tamarindus indica L)rdquo African Journal of Biotechnology vol 2no 9 pp 295ndash300 2003

[19] Z Abubakar and A Muhammad ldquoBreaking seed dormancy inTamarind (Tamarindus indica) a case study of gombe local gov-ernment areardquo Journal of Applied Sciences and EnvironmentalManagement vol 17 no 1 pp 83ndash87 2013

[20] A A Ajiboye ldquoDormancy and seed germination ofTamarindusindica (L)rdquo Pacific Journal of Science and Technology vol 11 no2 pp 463ndash470 2010

[21] D Byrd Seed CertificationManual National Seed Corporation1971

[22] M Aklibasinda Y Bulut U Sahin and T Tunc ldquoEffectsof different growing media on scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)productionrdquo Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences vol 21 no3 pp 535ndash541 2011

[23] F U Ugese ldquoEffect of nursery media on emergence andgrowth of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L) seedlingsrdquo Journalof Animaland Plant Sciences vol 8 no 2 pp 999ndash1005 2010

[24] J D Banwar ldquoEffects of pre-treatmentmethods on the germina-tion and early growth of some Savanna speciesrdquo UndergraduateResearch Project Faculty of Agriculture Usmanu DanfodiyoUniversity Sokoto Nigeria 1991

Submit your manuscripts athttpwwwhindawicom

Forestry ResearchInternational Journal of

Hindawi Publishing Corporationhttpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014

Environmental and Public Health

Journal of



EcosystemsJournal of


MeteorologyAdvances in

EcologyInternational Journal of


Marine BiologyJournal of


Hindawi Publishing Corporationhttpwwwhindawicom

Applied ampEnvironmentalSoil Science

Volume 2014

Advances in


Environmental Chemistry

Atmospheric SciencesInternational Journal of



Waste ManagementJournal of

Hindawi Publishing Corporation httpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014

International Journal of

Geophysics


Geological ResearchJournal of

EarthquakesJournal of


BiodiversityInternational Journal of


ScientificaHindawi Publishing Corporationhttpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014

OceanographyInternational Journal of


The Scientific World JournalHindawi Publishing Corporation httpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014

Journal of Computational Environmental SciencesHindawi Publishing Corporationhttpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014


ClimatologyJournal of


prolongs the length of seed viability hence creating artifi-cially low temperatures has been found useful in seed storageHigh temperatures affect germination of seeds by influencingthe water holding capacity of the soil which thus determinesto a large extent the survival of germinating seeds [5]

12 Tree Growth Growth manifests itself as an irreversiblechange in size and form Physiologically it may be regardedas synthesis of protoplasm accompanied by a permanentchange in size and form [6] Growth and development of treesis very important in forestry since it determines the amountof wood a forester can reasonably cut and the time intervalrequired for trees in the forest to reach merchantable sizeHowever growth forms the basis for sustained yield forestmanagement [7]

Forest trees continue to grow for most part of theirlives [4] However this growth does not occur in any casehaphazardly all over the tree or at the same rate throughoutthe life of a tree rather it was restricted only to some growthcentres or meristematic tissues found at the tips of shoots androots as well as in the vascular cambium of trees The growthinitiated in the shoot and root meristems accounts for all theincrease in length of the tree axis at both stem and root tipsand it is responsible for the formation of lateral appendagessuch as branches leaves lateral roots and root hairs as wellas the floral parts while the activity of vascular cambiumaccounts for the increase in diameter [8] The knowledge ofgrowth pattern as well as the growth centres in trees is of greatsilvicultural significance as it determines to a large extent howvarious environmental and cultural practices affect growth

Generally early growth assessment is of paramountimportance in the choice of species to plant in any plantationestablishment Because if the choice is not properly con-ducted experience has shown that no matter how carefullythe crop is subsequently tended the final result will bepoor and mostly unprofitable therefore in any plantationprogramme attempt should always be made to plant the rightspecies in the right place [4]

13 Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) T indica is a leguminoustree in the family fabaceae native to tropical Africa Thegenus is a monotypic taxon having only a single species [9]It is cultivated widely in India Bahamas West Indies andUSA among others [10] The species is a slow-growing onelong lived massive tree reaches under favourable conditiona height of 12ndash24m and a trunk circumference of 75m Thebright green fine feathery foliage is composed of pinnateleaves each having 10ndash15 pairs of oblong leaflets 125ndash25 cmlong and 5-6mm wide which fold at night [11]

The leaves are bright green in colour and shade briefly invery dry areas during the hot seasonThe flower is composedof five petals which are yellow with orange or red streaksThe fruits are flattish bean like and irregularly curved andwith bulged pods which are borne in great abundance alongthe new branches and usually vary from 5 to 16 cm longand 2 to 33 cm in diameter [12] The pods may be brownor greyish brown in colour which are composed of about 1ndash12 fully formed hard seeds which are glossy burn squarish

in form (11ndash125 cm in diameter) and each is enclosed in aparchment-like membrane However the species grows wellin clay loam sandy and acidic soil types with a high droughtand aerosol salt resistance A matured tree under favourableconditions may annually yield 150ndash225 kg of fruits [10]

The food uses of T indica are many the tender immaturevery sour pods are cooked as seasoning with rice fish andmeats in India [10] The fully grown but still unripe fruitscalled ldquoswellsrdquo in Bahamas are roasted in coal until theyburst and the skin is peeled back and the sizzling pulp isdipped in wood ashes and eaten [9] In Northern Nigeriadrinks (ldquotsamirdquo) are prepared from the pounded and boiledpods The leaves are eaten by cattle and goats Tamarind pulpwas found to supply 538 and 876 of the total essentialand aromatic amino acids respectively (FAOWHOUNUstandard) [13]

T indica is used as traditionalmedicine in India PakistanBangladesh Nigeria and most of the tropical countries Itis used traditionally in the treatment of abdominal paindiarrhoea dysentery helminthes infections wound healingmalaria and fever constipation inflammation cell cytotoxi-city gonorrhoea and eye diseases It has numerous chemicalvalues and is rich in phytochemicals and hence the plant isreported to possess antidiabetic antimicrobial antivenomicantimalarial antiasthmatic and antihyperlipidemic proper-ties [14]

Tamarind wood was found to be useful in makingfurniture wheels mallets rice pounders mortars pestlesploughs tent pegs canoes side planks for boats cart shaftsand axles and naves of wheels toys oil presses sugar pressesprinting blocks tools and tool handles turnery and so on[14] However in Northern Nigeria the tamarind wood isused in making mortars and pounders

Despite food wood and medicinal values of T indica inSokoto State today only few stands of the species remaineddue to exploitation without proper management Thereforein view of this germination and early growth of T indica inSokoto State were studied

2 Materials and Method

21 Study Area The study area is Sokoto in Nigeria situatedbetween latitude 11ndash13∘ 051015840N and longitude 40ndash05∘ 151015840E Itfalls within the Sudan savanna zone characterised by twodistinct seasons (wet and dry seasons) of varying durationand intensity The state has a total land mass of about 25973 3 km2 The rainy season is short often 3-4 months(usually fromMay to September) with highest fall in AugustThe mean annual rainfall is 550mmndash750mm with relativelyhigh temperature though it varies with season The meanannual temperature is 34∘C [15] The vegetation of the areais characterised by few scattered trees amongst dominatingherbaceous layers which are threatened by the inhabitants asa result of over exploitationwithout replacement In additiontemperature rainfall and wind are the main climatic factorsthat are aggravating lack of vegetation in Sokoto state

Therefore the effect of climatic factors on seedlingsestablishment tree growth and development can however be





24 Germination Test



2SO4for 30 minutes



















2SO4and


















Mean leafnumber



1625 75 040




2SO4 H2O2 and NaOH

4 Conclusion




5 Recommendations











References






























Journal of












Volume 2014

Advances in









Geophysics


















24 Germination Test



2SO4for 30 minutes



















2SO4and


















Mean leafnumber



1625 75 040




2SO4 H2O2 and NaOH

4 Conclusion




5 Recommendations











References






























Journal of












Volume 2014

Advances in









Geophysics





























Mean leafnumber



1625 75 040




2SO4 H2O2 and NaOH

4 Conclusion




5 Recommendations











References






























Journal of












Volume 2014

Advances in









Geophysics










































Journal of












Volume 2014

Advances in









Geophysics














research article germination and early growth assessment

Documents