Propagation of Treculia africana as influenced by seed storage and propagation media

Treculia africana is an economically important but often neglected tropical fruit tree native to many tropical countries. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the seedling emergence and seedling quality of Treculia africana seeds as influenced by storage duration and propagation media. Storage duration influenced percentage seedling emergence and seedling growth. Generally, no germination was recorded in the seeds stored beyond two weeks, irrespective of the propagation media used. There was a highly significant (P < 0.01) storage duration × propagation media interaction on all parameters measured. The highest germination percentage (87.5%) was recorded by freshly collected seeds sown in both medium sand and fine sand. A consistently higher plant height, number of leaves and leaf area was recorded in fresh seeds sown in medium sand. The effect of media was not significant. The study suggests that seed storage had a deleterious effect on the germination of the species, thus implying that storing the seeds of T. africana beyond two weeks could impede viability and recommends that T. africana seeds should be sown immediately the fruits are harvested preferably in medium sand.