Abstract

Soil that is rich in organic matter means soil that is rich in physical and chemical properties and enhances plant growth and development. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of soil provenance on seed germination and seedling growth of Aframomum citratum. Soil provenances were Buea, Dschang and Bamenda. These respective soil types were filled into 25 cm diameter polyethylene bags and pretreated with a systemic fungicide and nematicide prior to the sowing of 432 dried seeds and 432 fresh seeds of A. citratum, arranged in a Complete Randomized Design in a temperature-controlled glasshouse. Germination monitoring and data collection (germination percentage and germination speed) was done daily for six weeks. Early growth parameters (number of leaves, leaf surface area and height of seedlings) were measured weekly for eight weeks. Fresh seeds started germinating 2 months after sowing. Dried seeds treated with 50% diluted H₂SO₄ for 20 min, did not germinate. Soil types significantly affected the cumulative germination percentage and early growth (p<0.05). Highest germination percentage (58.33%) was produced in Bamenda soil, least in sand (20%) but then, Buea soil produced healthiest seedlings. Germination of A. citratum seeds can be effectively realized based on information from this research.

Key words:  Germination, seeds, soil physiochemical properties, Zingiberaceae.