Response of GA3, NAA, and KNO3 treatments on in vitro seedgermination and shoot performance of highland bamboo(Oldeania alpina L.)

Oldeania alpina (K. Schum) Stapleton is an African alpine bamboo, native of Ethiopia to Zambia. The untreated seeds of O. alpina do not give good germination. Therefore, the effects of different seed pretreatments on germination and shoot quality were evaluated. The pre-sowing treatments were highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) for all studied parameters. The seeds subjected to 8% Gibberellic acid (GA3) treatment produced the highest germination percent (30%) while 6% NAA naphthalene acetic acid produced 23% germination. The values of MGT (mean germination time), PV (peak value) and VI (vigorous index) were also analyzed and interpreted to evaluate the germination of seed and shoot quality of the emerging plants. Moreover, the highest values for morphological parameters were recorded for 8% GA3 and 6 % NAA. Hence, the use of 8% GA3 or 6% NAA pretreatment is recommended to enhance the germination and shoot quality of O. alpina.