Enhancing Germination And Growth Of Kola (Cola Nitida Vent, Schott And Endlicher) Seedlings In The Nursery Using Innovative Curing Media: Dodecahedron Pyramidal Device (Dpd) And Palm Basket (Pb)

Lack of access to improved cultivation techniques and scientific knowledge of raising Cola nitida seedlings in the nursery, hinders the ability of the kola nut farmers to overcome the challenges of a fiercely long dormancy period. Experiment was conducted in a screen house, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, to evaluate the effects of curing in a dodecahedron pyramidal device and palm basket on germination and seedling growth of Cola nitida nuts. The experiment was in a completely randomized design and replicated three times. Treatments comprised two factors: curing media (DPD, PB and PB+DPD) and period of curing (0, 4, 8, 12 weeks), giving 12 treatment combinations sown inside a 50cl plastic pot filled with sawdust. Germination and growth performance of seedlings were monitored; data subjected to analysis of variance and mean comparisons were done (p ≤ 0.05). As early as 3 WAS, nuts cured in DPD had 13.3% germination, while those in PB and PB+DPD are yet to germinate. At 7 WAS, nuts cured in DPD had 50% germination followed by those in PB and PB+DPD with 36.6% each, respectively. At 17 WAS, germination was observed to complete with the nuts cured in DPS, PB and PB+DPS having 100.0, 63.3 and 63.3%, respectively. Nuts cured in DPS produced vigorous seedlings that were taller with more leaves than those in PB or PB+DPS at 17 and 23 WAS. With innovative curing media (DPD) therefore, rapid and uniform germination of Cola nitida nuts was obtained with an improved morphological growth performance.