Factors Affecting Seedling Emergence and Dry Matter Characteristics in Musa balbisiana Colla. (13th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nwauzoma, A. B.; Moses, K.
• Other Names: Culianez-Macia F. A. Academic Editor.; Rajakaruna N. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN botany. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-08-13
• Subjects: Botany -- Periodicals; Botany; Periodicals; 580
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/582581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-8598

Abstract

Abstract : The effects of storage duration (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days), sterilization with sodium hypochlorite (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%), and weaning media on seedling characteristics and dry matter content in Musa balbisiana seedlings were studied. The experiment was factorial in a completely randomized design with five replicates. The result indicates that increase in NaOCl concentration and number of days in storage significantly ( P = 0.5 ) increased the period of seedling emergence. Also, soaking in NaOCl for 20 min had significant effect on average seedling emergence at 15 and 20% concentrations, compared to 10 min soaking at the same concentrations. The combined effects of storage duration and sterilization resulted in a decrease in the duration of seedling emergence. Seeds previously sterilized with either water or NaOCl had no significant effect on seedling growth, leaf and corm dry weight, but affected almost all the dry matter traits. A mixture of poultry manure, top soil, and river sand as weaning media gave better seedling growth and increased dry matter characteristics. We conclude that M. balbisiana seeds require after-ripening treatment to enhance germination, sterilizing seeds with 5% NaOCl for 10 min and air-drying under ambient condition for 2–6 days were found most appropriate, and a mixture of poultry manure, top soil, and river sand is recommended as weaning medium for growth and dry matter composition in M. balbisiana seeds.