Breaking Barriers: How Seed Coat Removal Boosts Terminalia superba Germination | InformativeBD

Joseph M Asomaning, from the institute of Ghana. Padmore B Ansah, from the institute of Ghana and Naomi A Fosu, from the institute of Ghana. wrote a Research article about, Breaking Barriers: How Seed Coat Removal Boosts Terminalia superba Germination. Entitled, The effect of seed coat removal on seed germination of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels. This research paper published by the Journalof Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The influence of four constant temperatures: 20°C, 25°C, 30°C, 35°C and three germination media: 1% water agar, heat sterilized river sand and seed testing paper (STP) on the germination of decoated seeds of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels. were investigated. The germination media were placed in 90 mm diameter plastic Petri dishes with seventy five decoated seeds in 3 replicates of 25 seeds. The statistical design used in the investigation was a completely randomized design in a 3 x 4 factorial (germination media × incubation temperatures). Decoated seeds of T. superba germinated at all the four temperatures investigated. The optimum temperatures were determined as 25°C, 30°C and 35°C. All the three media can be considered ideal for the reason that these temperatures interacted with the germination media to record germination percentages ranging from 73 to 89% in the study. Mean germination time (MGT) was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter when agar was used as germination media compared to when germination was carried out on STP and soil. The shapes of germination curves describing the cumulative germination of decoated seeds of T. superba at all temperatures and on all the germination media investigated are S-shaped.

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Introduction

Seed germination is controlled by several environmental factors, such as seed moisture content, temperature, and light. Seed condition also affects germination; for example, the seed coat may be water impermeable, or the mature seed may contain an underdeveloped embryo that only grows to full size after imbibition (Geneve, 2003). The seed coat represents a first line of defense against adverse external factors (helps protect the embryo from mechanical injury and from drying out) and also acts as channel for transmitting environmental cues to the interior of the seed (Radchuk and Borisjuk, 2014). Integrity of seed coat surface is extremely important for seed quality and fitness during seed storage or germination, and diverse technologies are available for preserving and enhancing of seed surface (Black and Halmer, 2006; Brooker et al., 2007).

That notwithstanding, an impermeable seed or fruit coat may impose physical dormancy which must be broken before water and air can reach the embryo and initiate germination (Baskin and Baskin, 2014). Most species have a seed coat which is impervious to water. This causes seed dormancy so that germination may extend over months or years. Example are the acacias and hence for their efficient germination at the nursery, it is necessary to apply some form of presowing treatment to ensure not only a high final germination percentage but rapid and uniform germination (Doran et al., 1983). The seeds of Prunus yedoensis also have slow and poor germination when intact. Decoating their seeds shortens the mean germination time (MGT) and improves seed germination percentage significantly. (Hyun Kim, 2019). Decoated seeds of Syzygium cumini germinated faster than coated seeds under nursery conditions, with high significant germination percentages, dry matter production rates and vigor indices (Sivasubramaniam and Selvarani, 2012).

Saeed and Thanos (2006) found seed coat to be inhibitory to the germination of Pinus gerardiana as removal of seed coat promoted both rate and final germination. Chika et al., 2020 reported that decoating seeds of Mansonia altissima improved their germination and resulted in the highest germination percentage. Bedada et al. (2018) also reported that de-coating improved germination and early nursery performance of Olea europaea.

Terminalia superba is one of the most heavily exploited African timber species, and locally, supplies have dwindled, with reports of declining populations in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Congo (FAO,1984; N’Sosso, 1990). In Ghana, T. superba was one of the priority species earmarked for planting during the National Forest Plantation Development Programme launched in the year 2002. It is also on the list of priority species being planted under the on-going Ghana Forest Investment Programme. These developments have resulted in the need for sufficient quantities of good quality seeds to meet planting targets.

Cobbinah et al. (2001) and NTSC (2008) have reported days to first germination as 16 and 23 days respectively for seeds of T. superba sown intact. Unlike T. ivorensis, no serious dormancy problem has been reported about T. superba. However, pretreatment methods such as nicking or soaking in water have been recommended for faster and even germination (TTSA, 2010).

This study investigated the response of decoated seeds (seed with testa or seed coat removed) of T. superba to different temperatures and various germination media.

Reference

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Chika PJ, Sakpere AM, Akinropo MS. 2020. Effect of pretreatments on germination of seeds of the timber plant, Terminalia ivorensis and Mansonia altissima (A. Chev.). Notulae Scientia Biologicae 12(2), 334-340

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Article source : The effect of seed coat removal on seed germination of Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels  

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Growth Dynamics of Achatina fulica in a Controlled Breeding Environment | InformativeBD

Boddis Zebaze Tsiguia,  Guegang Tekou, Fon Dorothy Engwali,  Mmira A Akohogni, Alexia Kévine Noubissi Chiassa,  Algrient Nana Towa, and Claudine Tekounegning Tiogué, from the institute of Cameroon. wrote a Research Article about, Growth Dynamics of Achatina fulica in a Controlled Breeding Environment . Entitled, Influence of temperature on survival, yolk utilization, growth, and morphometric anomaly rates in post-embryonic Clarias jaensis under controlled conditions. This research paper published by the International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR). an open access scholarly research journal on Agronomy. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract  

Captive breeding of Clarias jaensis remains limited due to a lack of knowledge regarding optimal temperature conditions to ensure larval survival and early development. This study evaluated the impact of different temperatures on survival, yolk absorption, linear growth, and the rate of morphometric anomalies in post-embryos. A total of 580 newly hatched post-embryos were evenly distributed in 10 trays, placed in pairs in five polyester tanks. Each tank was subjected to one of the five experimental temperatures: 22°C, 25°C, 27°C, 29°C, and 31°C. Survival and anomaly rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier test, while the evolution of yolk sac volume and larval length was studied using a one-factor ANOVA. The results show that the best survival rates were obtained at 25°C (96.5 ± 3.5%), 27°C (91.5 ± 6.4%), and 22°C (90 ± 2.8%). No survival was observed at 29°C and 31°C after three and two days post-hatching, respectively. Yolk absorption was significantly faster at 27°C (98.92 ± 0.58%), while differences in linear growth were not significant between 22°C, 25°C, and 27°C. The most frequent morphometric anomalies included pericardial edema, yolk edema, and skeletal deformities, with a lower malformation rate at 25°C (4.5%) compared to 22°C and 27°C. Based on these results, it is recommended to stabilize the breeding temperature at 25°C to maximize survival, and at 27°C to promote rapid growth and yolk absorption.

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Introduction

Clarias jaensis, an African catfish prized for its hardiness, rapid growth, and nutritional and cultural value, shows great potential for aquaculture (Angoni et al., 2016; Zango et al., 2016; Tiogue et al., 2020). However, despite this potential, mastering its rearing in controlled environments remains a major challenge, forcing fish farmers to rely on fry sourced from the wild (Pouomogne, 2008; Kenfack et al., 2019). This practice, in addition to limiting aquaculture production, places significant pressure on natural stocks, which are already weakened by overfishing and climate change. The provision of sufficient fry to meet the growing demand of fish farmers, therefore, depends on mastering the complete life cycle of C. jaensis, particularly its larval development in controlled conditions. Temperature is a key environmental factor in the early development of fish, significantly influencing their survival, growth, and morphogenesis (Cahu et al., 2003; Fontaine and Le Bail, 2004; Gatesoupe et al., 1999). The embryonic and larval stages, which are particularly vulnerable to environmental fluctuations, are especially sensitive to thermal variations. Understanding the influence of temperature on larval development is essential for optimizing farming practices and ensuring successful production in captivity. Previous studies on other Clariidae species, such as C. gariepinus (Legendre and Teugels, 1991; Chebel et al., 2005) and Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Olaniyi and Omitogun, 2013, 2014), have highlighted the significant impact of temperature on larval survival, growth, and development. However, the specific thermal tolerance of C. jaensis remains largely unknown. This study aims to fill this gap by rigorously evaluating the influence of temperature on the survival, yolk absorption, growth, and occurrence of morphometric anomalies in C. jaensis postembryos. By exposing the larvae to different temperatures in a controlled environment, we aim to identify the optimal thermal range that promotes their development and to understand the underlying mechanisms of the observed effects. The results of this research will have a dual impact. On one hand, they will provide basic information for improving the farming practices of C. jaensis in captivity, allowing for the adaptation of incubation and larval rearing conditions to maximize survival, growth, and fry quality. On the other hand, they will contribute to a better understanding of the biology of this species and its sensitivity to temperature variations, which is essential for the sustainable management of its natural populations in the face of climate change challenges.

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Tiogue CT, Nyadjeu P, Mouokeu SR, Tekou G, Tchoupou H. 2020. Evaluation of hybridization in two African catfishes (Siluriformes, Clariidae): Exotic (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) and native (Clarias jaensis Boulenger, 1909) species under controlled hatchery conditions in Cameroon. Advances in Agriculture 2020, Article ID 8985424, 11 pages.

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Zango P, Tiogue CT, Nyadjeu P, Kenfack A, Tseuwo SGN, Kamanke SK, Kameni ABT, Tomedi ME, Tchoumboue J. 2023. Effect of the type of pituitary extracts and dose of synthetic hormones HCG and Ovaprim on some reproductive characteristics of the endogenous catfish of Cameroon Clarias jaensis (Boulanger, 1909) in a controlled environment. Asian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Research 25(5), 105–116.

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Source : Influence of temperature on survival, yolk utilization, growth, and morphometric anomalyrates in post-embryonic Clarias jaensis under controlled conditions 

 

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