Research Article
Water Soaking Duration as a Dormancy-Breaking Strategy for Enhancing Germination of Decoated Garcinia kola (Heckel) Seeds
Tchinmegni Felenou I*
,
Djeukam Pougoum Stelle Vartant
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
39-44
Received:
5 April 2026
Accepted:
16 April 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20261103.11
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Views:
Abstract: Seed dormancy remains a critical bottleneck in the nursery propagation of Garcinia kola Heckel, a socioeconomically and medicinally important non-timber forest species of West and Central Africa. This study investigated the effect of varying water-soaking durations on dormancy alleviation and germination performance of decoated G. kola seeds under controlled nursery conditions. Freshly collected seeds were decoated and subjected to four pre-germination treatments: no soaking (T1, control), 24-hour soaking (T2), 48-hour soaking (T3), and 72-hour soaking (T4). A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed with 10 seeds per tray and five replicates per treatment, sown in sterilized river sand. Germination onset was earliest in T4 (Week 5), followed by T3 (Week 6), T2 (Week 7), and T1 (Week 9). The highest cumulative germination percentage (CGP) was recorded in T4 (80%), compared with T3 (64%), T2 (56%), and T1 (38%). The complete dormancy period (CDP) ranged from 35 days (T4) to 63 days (T1), decreasing significantly with longer soaking duration. These results indicate that G. kola seeds exhibit both seed coat dormancy and chemically-imposed dormancy, and that 72-hour soaking of decoated seeds is an effective, low-cost, and farmer-accessible method for hastening germination onset and improving seedling yield.
Abstract: Seed dormancy remains a critical bottleneck in the nursery propagation of Garcinia kola Heckel, a socioeconomically and medicinally important non-timber forest species of West and Central Africa. This study investigated the effect of varying water-soaking durations on dormancy alleviation and germination performance of decoated G. kola seeds under ...
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Research Article
Evaluation of Improved Head Cabbage (Brassica oleraceae var capitata oleraceae L.) Varieties for Head Yield in West Hararghe, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
45-55
Received:
27 April 2026
Accepted:
22 June 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajpb.20261103.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Cabbage (Brassica olearacea var capitata L.) is one of the most important leafy vegetables worldwide and is adapted to cool, moist conditions. This study aimed to identify high-yielding, disease-tolerant and adaptable cabbage varieties suitable for the study areas. Four head cabbage varieties (Chaka, Tana, Cabbice and Copenhagen Market) were evaluated using randomized complete block design with four replications. The experiment was conducted in Chiro, Tulo and Oda bultum districts during 2023 and 2024 cropping season. The results of the combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed the presence of highly significant (P<0.01) differences among varieties for all traits studied, except number of expanded true leaves. The mean squares for location were also significant, indicating the influence of environmental factor on the performances of the tested varieties. From the combined analysis of variances, Cabbice variety produced the highest head yield (126. t ha-1, followed by Tana variety (100.38t ha-1). In contrast, the lowest total head yield (92.52 t ha-1) was recorded from Copenhagen Market variety. AMMI analysis showed that the effect of environments, varieties and their interaction effects were highly significant. The stability and yield performance of the varieties were further explained using a GGE bi-plot. Significant variation in head yield among the varieties was observed across different environments. Cabbice variety exhibited wide adaptability and superior yield performance across high yielding environments. Generally, the study indicated that Cabbice variety was recommended for the study areas and other similar ago-ecologies for further demonstration and scaling up.
Abstract: Cabbage (Brassica olearacea var capitata L.) is one of the most important leafy vegetables worldwide and is adapted to cool, moist conditions. This study aimed to identify high-yielding, disease-tolerant and adaptable cabbage varieties suitable for the study areas. Four head cabbage varieties (Chaka, Tana, Cabbice and Copenhagen Market) were evalua...
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