| Summary: | Effect of Seed Treatments on the Germination of Iron Tree Prosopis africana (Guill., Perrot. et Rich.) Taub. The effect of four seed treatments (i) soaking in concentrate sulphuric acid for 15 mn, (ii) soaking in hot water at 100 oC for 3 mm followed by in immersion into tap water for 24 hours, (iii) scarification with razor blade (iv) no treatment on the germination of Prosopis africana seeds was evaluated on two types of growing substrate: erosion sand and ferrallitic soil. Non treated seeds gave the highest rates of germination on the two types of growing substrate (100% on erosion sand and 89% on ferrallitic soil) and by much longer duration of germination compared to treated seeds (46 days on erosion sand and 42 days on ferrallitic soil). Overall, germination is better (rates and speed) on erosion sand. Treatments of the seeds in concentrate sulphuric acid are prejudicial to the survival of the embryo and yield low germination rates (30% on erosion sand and 20% on ferrallitic soil). Scarification by razor blade and soaking in hot water at 100 oC gave the highest germination rate (85%, 18 days after sowing) on erosion sand and allowed to accelerate the germination. Because of their simplicity and their low cost, these two seed treatments can be recommended for planters and the use of erosion sand for the sowing.
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