Effect of Acid Pretreatment of Seeds on the Germination and Early Growth of Albizia lebbek (L) Benth in Makurdi, Benue State-Nigeria

The seeds of A. lebbeck exhibit physical dormancy, which leads to poor seed germination due a tough coat, has prevented the species from being domesticated in study area. Pre-sowing treatments are therefore necessary increase and reduce period. This aims at evaluation impact acid pretreatment on dormancy growing seedlings for establishment plantations Benue state, Nigeria, where it is lacking. experiment was laid out completely randomized design with six pretreatments (soaked) used acids. include: sulphuric (70 % H2SO4) 2 minutes, 5 10 minutes; nitric HNO3) untreated (control); replicated thrice. Two were sown each plastic pot later thinned one per after germination. A total 144 pots used. immersion 70 minutes as lebbeckyielded highest percentage (50%) had emergence index (38). According study's findings, pre-treating breaks better promotes faster growth. Thus, recommended that 70% five before sowing should be adopted grow