Evaluating the Germination Response of Indigenous Trees and Shrubs to Presowing Seed Treatments in Southern Oromia’s Borana Zone

Introduced tree species in dryland areas of Borana face survival issues, while native trees and shrubs that are crucial for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation face seed dormancy and poor germination. This study evaluated the effects of presowing seed treatments on the germination of selected indigenous tree and shrub species in Borana Zone. Fruits of nine (9) tree species were collected, and their seeds were extracted manually. The seeds were subjected to mechanical, chemical scarification, hot water, cold water, and control treatments. The experiment was conducted in a tree nursery from October 1, 2021, to April 10, 2022. The treated seeds were sown in pots in a randomized design with three replications for each species in the tree nursery. Data of sees emergence and the number of seeds emerged daily were collected and analyzed using SAS and GLM procedures. The highest germination % for Psydrax schimperiana was recorded under 12‐h’ cold water and 5‐min concentrated H 2 SO 4 treatments. For Mimusops kummel seeds, the highest germination % was recorded under cold water, while the lowest was recorded under control treatments. In the case of Grewia villosa, the highest germination rate (76.67%) was recorded under hot water. For the Terminalia brownie, the maximum germination % was recorded under mechanical scarification (50%). For the Pappea capensis, Boswellia microphylla, Commiphora myrrha, and Commiphora corrugatais species, soaking seeds in cold water is a more effective technique to get a better seed germination percentage. For Acacia tortilis, the highest germination % was observed under 5‐min concentrated H 2 SO 4 treatments (81.33 ± 6.41%), followed by 36 HR cold water treatment (74.33 ± 6.41%). Cold water treatments are being recommended as a cheaper and less hazardous presowing treatment method. The improvement of germination with the application of pretreatments implies that pretreatments have an advantageous effect on seed germination. Therefore, nursery managers and foresters use these seed pretreatments for the domestication of these tree species in the study area.