Effect of treatments on germination of Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan in Niger, sahel

Abstract

Acacia tortilis is a multi-use woody species in Niger that is under strong anthropogenic pressure. The control of the germination of its seed requires particular attention for the multiplication of the species. Germination tests were conducted on Acacia tortilis seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the germination rate of seeds according to treatments and geomorphological units. The tests were conducted over 30 days in the laboratory of the University of Diffa. A total of 15 treatments with 4 repetitions were performed. The best results are observed in 3 treatments, in particular, soaking in sulphuric acid for 60 and 120 minutes and manual scarification using abrasive paper with germination rates of 95%, 83.75% and 76.3% respectively. The passage of goats and sheep through the digestive tract did not result in a seed germination rate similar to that of sulphuric acid treatment. As for the geomorphology of the site, it has no effect on the germination capacity of Acacia tortilis seeds. However, a variation in the weights of the seed samples was observed with 1.75 g/sample for the dune flat and slope, and 1 g/sample for the bowl.