| Abstract: | Aspergillus niger (strain UUF9202) significantly reduced the dormancy period and boosted aggregate germination percentage (AGP) in seeds of Tetrapleura tetraptera. A net reduction in mean germination time (MGT) to 12 days and an increase from 0 to 42% AGP were obtained in 32 days. The optimal spore inoculum of the fungus was 8.5 × 10≥10 ml?1 per 100 seeds in 96 h pregermination incubation. The potential of some physical factors in combination with this fungal concentration in enhancing AGP was evaluated. The treatments were as follows: (i) hot water scarification at 30°C, 50°C, 80°C and 100°C plus A niger; and (ii) nicking by decoating at either the micropylar or chalazal ends plus A niger. Micropylar scarification plus A niger gave the highest AGP (94%) followed by chalazal scarification plus A niger (86%) and hot water dip at 80°C + A niger (82%). The control seeds which were soaked in presterilised (by autoclaving at 121°C for 15 min) A niger spore suspension at 30°C gave zero germination. |
