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Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) at Humid Tropical Climatic Conditions

Received: 11 July 2024     Accepted: 27 September 2024     Published: 7 December 2024
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Abstract

Korarima (Aframomum corrorim) (is an indigenous spice and cash crop in Ethiopia. Korarima seed has less peppery pungent taste, and milder, sweeter flavor. Potentially it grows under the natural forests in the south and southwestern parts of the country where coffee potentially grow. But the crop shows delayed seed germination and poor field emergency at growing area. So obtaining fast seed germination and intact seedling is the main concern for farmers. The objective of this trial was to assess the potential of seed treatment chemicals on seed germination and seedling development of korarima. The trial was organized in completely randomized design with three replications. Analysis of Variance was done using statistical analysis software. Treatment means were separated using LSD at 0.05 probability level of significance. The results of the trial was designated that korarima seed germination and seedling development were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced by pre sowing seed treatment. The supreme seed germination value (83.25%) was shown by korarima seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min, whereas the lowest seed germination (47.53%) was seen from seeds soaked with 10% H2SO4 for 5 min. Based on these result, it can conclude pre-sowing seed treatment of Korarima enhanced seed germination and intact seedling development of korarima.

Published in World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology (Volume 2, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18
Page(s) 180-184
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Korarima, Aframomum corrorima, Seed Germination, Seed Treatment, Dormancy

1. Introduction
Korarima (Aframomum corrorim) (is an indigenous spice and cash crop in Ethiopia. Korarima seed has a less peppery pungent taste, and milder, sweeter flavor. Potentially it grows under the natural forests in the south and southwestern parts of the country where coffee grows. Korarima spice has been part of each and daily Ethiopian dish in preparation of curry powder for culinary purpose . Korarima seeds are used to flavor all kinds of “Wet”, for which they are ground and usually mixed with other spices, to flavor coffee; sometimes tea and bread compared with other species. The capsule had been used as money for barter on olden times. Korarima had been one of the neglected (little attention) spices. Recently this spice has been given a due attention and collection of a number of korarima accessions was achieved and varieties were released .
But delayed seed germination and poor field emergency of seed were the main concerns of korarima growers. Poor stored food reserve in the endosperm might be a reason for the very slow growth of korarima seed. So, pre sowing seed enhancement required in korarima production and breeding program for testing and using available genotypes. The application of some seed enhancement to make the hard seed coat of korarima permeable to water and gases . Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different seed treatment on seed germination and seedling development of korarima.
2. Materials and Method
2.1. Description of the Study Area
The experiment was conducted in Tepi Agricultural Research Center during 2020 to 2022. Tepi is located in South Nation Nationality Regional State, E, with an elevation of 1200 m. a. s. l, at Latitude of 70 10’ 54.5’’ N and with a Longitude of 350 25’ 04.3-28.2’’ E of Ethiopia. The research station receives an average annual rainfall of 1559 mm annually with maximum and minimum temperatures of 30.23°C and 16.09°C,, respectively.
2.2. Experimental Design and Treatment Setup
Matured fruits of korarima were collected from Tepi Agricultural Research Center. The collected fruits were carefully pulped, washed and dried under shade. Target cleaned seed were taken and divided into nine groups and subjected to different seed treatments based on each treatment setup. Each group of treated seeds were divided into three (100 seeds each) and were sown in plastic pots containing forest soil, clay loam and sand (3: 1: 1) mixture at nursery. The experiment was arranged in CRD with three replications. Seedling growing pots watered once a day.
2.2.1. Treatments Were
1. Tap water
2. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
3. HNO3
4. Acetic acid (CH3COOH)
5. Alcohol 80% (C2H6O)
2.2.2. Preparation of Treatments
1. No treatment
2. Soaked seeds in tap water for 12 hrs
3. Soaked seeds in tap water for 24 hrs
4. Soaked seeds in 5% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 10 min
5. Soaked seeds in 5% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) for 5 min
6. Soaked seeds in 25% HNO3 for 10 min
7. Soaked seeds in 25% HNO3 for 5 min
8. Soaked seeds in 25 per cent Acetic acid for 10 min
9. Soaked seeds in 80% alcohol for 30 minutes
2.3. Data Collection
Germination percentage (%): number of seeds germinated out of 100 seeds of each replication starting from the first day of germination to the end of the germination period; days of 50% germination achieved, Percentage of intact seedlings, seedling height (cm), number of roots and root length (cm) were recorded.
2.4. Data Analysis
Data collected were tested for fitting the normality assumptions of the ANOVA. Then, all data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical software version 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., 2008) as per standard procedures. To compare the means of the treatments, the least significant difference (LSD) test was applied at a 5% significance level, following the method sketched by Gomez and Gomez (1984).
3. Results and Discussion
Bartlett’s test of homogeneity of variances of the two year data showed homogenous at (p 5%), hence analysis of variance was carried out by combining the two year data.
Standard germination was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enriched by pre sowing seed treatment (Table 1). Korarima seeds start sprout at three weeks after planting and the uppermost number of seedling (10.12 %) were germinated for seed soaked in tap water for 24 hrs. but the lowermost mean value of germinated seeds (5.15%) were registered for seed soaked at 25% HNO3 for 10 min. The highest number of days (57) was recorded to achieve 50% of korarima seed germination by seed soaked with 10% H2SO4 for 5 min.) but comparatively the least number of days was recorded (35) for 50% seed germination achieved by seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min. The maximum seed germination value (83.25%) was obtained by seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min, while the lowermost seed germination (47.53%) was recorded by seeds soaked with 10% H2SO4 for 5 min. at six week after sowing. Seed germination was not observed in all treatments after six weeks (Table 1).
Table 1. Potential of seed treatment on seed germination and seedling development of korarima.

Treatments

Days to 50% germination

Germination % in weeks interval from sowing

three

four

five

six

T1 No treatment

44.45cd

5.40bc

19.6bc

61.45e

61.45e

T2 (H20 for 12 hrs.)

46.10cd

7.54ab

24.56ab

69.45c

69.45c

T3 (H20 for 24 hours.)

51.16bc

10.12a

28.00a

59.61f

59.61f

T4 (5% H2SO4 5 min)

48.44bc

8.24ab

22.12bc

67.38d

67.38d

T5 (5% H2SO4 for 10 min)

57.00a

9.21ab

17.11bc

47.53i

47.53i

T6 (25% HNO3 for 5 min)

52.0bc

6.88bc

22.7ab

58.40g

58.40g

T7 (25% HNO3 for 10 min)

55.66ab

5.15e

18.23bc

51.55h

51.55h

T8 (25% Acetic Acid for 10 min)

42.00de

6.43bc

16.85c

70.56b

70.56b

T9 (80% alcohol for 30 min)

35.66e

10.10ab

27.66ab

83.25a

83.25a

LSD (0.05)

4.95

2.89

5.52

0.28

0.29

CV (%)

5.22

5.00

5.72

6.88

6.89

LSD = least significant difference, CV (%) = coefficient of variation
The highest seedling and root length value (2.78 cm, 2.89 cm) were recorded for seed soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min whereas the lowest seedling and root length value were recorded seed soaked with 5% H2SO4 for 10 min. 1.28cm. In general uppermost mean value of number of roots were observed for seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min. but the lowermost mean value of root number were observed for un treated seed. Maximum number of normal seedling (83%) was recorded for seed soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min. but the lowest mean value of normal seedling (49) was recorded for 5% H2SO4 for 10 min). Generally, seed soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min were significantly enhanced korarima seed germination, seedling length, roots number and root length, (Table 2).
The results of the present study indicated that seed treatment had significant and positive effect on different aspects of seed quality indices improvements, such as seed germination, growth and biochemical parameters.
Figure 1. Potential of seed treatment on seed germination performance of korarima.
The response of crop for different seed treatments were interpreted in terms of germination percentage, speed of germination, seedling vigor, seedling length, root length, shoot length test. Korarima seeds display dormancy that can be released by seed pre-treatment for a certain period. Korarima seed treated with 80% alcohol for 30 min. was the most efficient in breaking dormancy and stimulating germination. El-Dengawy, E. F. A. 2015 found that GA3, alcohol and sulfuric acid treated loquat seeds gave significantly higher germination percentage than the control when recorded after eight weeks of sowing . The superiority of the sulfuric acid treated seeds compared with the other tested treatments on germination percentage was reported from tamarind seeds by . The effect of seed treatment on promotion of seed germination might be due to the highly desiccant effect of the alcohol and other treating chemicals on the seed coat there by allowing easier water uptake and oxygen diffusion , and . The inhibitory effects on germination and growth of seedling due to high constituents of hydrocarbon monoterpenes were investigated in different plants reported the higher contents of monoterpene from korarima seed. Seed germination and subsequent seedling growth of horticultural and other crop seeds can be enhanced through pre sowing chemical treatments practices, . This might be another reason for poor germination and seedling growth in korarima. From the present results it can be concluded that soaking of korarima seeds with T9 (80% alcohol for 30 min.) may be recommended to promote germination process and enhance growth characteristics of the seedlings of korarima.
Table 2. Effects of seed treatment on seed germination and seedling growth of korarima.

Treatments

Seedling Height (cm)

Number of root

Root length (cm)

Percentage of normal seedling

T1 No treatment

2.46d

3.00c

2.05bc

58cd

T2 (H20 for 12 hrs.)

2.48cd

4.91ab

1.95bc

71bc

T3 (H20 for 24 hours.)

2.40de

4.95ab

2.45a-c

71bc

T4 (5% H2SO4 5min)

2.53b-d

3.74c

2.37a-c

66bc

T5 (5% H2SO4 for 10 min)

2.18e

4.40b

1.28d

49f

T6 (25% HNO3 for 5 min)

2.66.5a

4.61ab

1.96bc

58cd

T7 (25% HNO3 for 10 min)

2.63ab

3.33c

2.36a-c

54cd

T8 (25% Acetic Acid for 10 min)

2.67a

4.95a

2.03bc

73ab

T9 (80% alcohol for 30 min)

2.78a

5.11a

2.89a

83a

LSD (0.05)

0.23

0.64

0.77

12

CV (%)

6.2

7.20

7.35

7.26

LSD = least significant difference, CV (%) = coefficient of variation
4. Conclusion
The present study revealed that, korarima (Aframomum corrorima) seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 minutes was potentially enhanced seed germination and seedling development. Hence, seed treated with 80% alcohol for 30 minutes be suggested to stimulate the korarima seed propagation potential and seedling development.
Abbreviations

LSD

Least Significant Difference

CV (%)

Coefficient of Variation

CRD

Completely Randomized Design

SAS

Statistical Analysis Software

ANOVA

Analysis of Variance

Acknowledgments
We acknowledge TARC, Technology Multiplication and Seed Research technical assistance for unreserved support during data collection.
Author Contributions
Hassen Seid Awoke designed, conducted the experiment, data analysis and manuscript writing, Karta Kaske Kalsa contributed to guiding during the article preparation and editing, Tsegaye mulualem and Getachew Shiferaw participated on data collection.
Funding
All necessary expense for the research were covered Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR).
Data Availability Statement
Data can access through the permission of the funding organization.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
References
[1] Braun A., (2011). Aframomum corrorima was published in Spices, Condiments and Medicinal Plants in Ethiopia, Their Taxonomy and Agricultural Significance. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland: USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Retrieved June 19, 2011. Synonym.
[2] Eyob, S., Tsegaye, A., and Appelgren, A. (2009). Analysis of korarima (Aframomum corrorima (Braun) P. C. M. Jansen) indigenous production practices and farm based biodiversity in southern Ethiopia. Genet. Resour. Crop Evol. 56: 573-585.
[3] Girma, H., Digafie, T., Edossa, E., Belay, Y., and Weyessa, G. (2008). Spices research achievements, revised edition, Ethiopian Institut of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[4] El-Dengawy, E. F. A. (2015). Promotion of seed germination and subsequent seedling growth of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica, Lindl) by moist-chilling and GA3 applications. Sci. Hort. 105: 331-342.
[5] Muhammad, S., and Amusa, N. A. (2013). Effects of sulphuric acid and hot water treatments on seed germinatioof tamarind (Tamarindus indica L). Afr. J. Biotechnol. 2: 276-279.
[6] Kordali, S., Cakir, A,, and Sutay, S. (2017). Inhibitory effects of Monoterpenes on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth. Z. Naturforsch. 62: 207-214.
[7] Eyob, S., Appelgren, M., Rohloff, J,, Tsegaye, A,, and Messele, G. (2007). Chemical composition and physical properties of essential oils from fresh plant parts of korarima (Aframomum corrorima) cultivated in the highland of Southern Ethiopia. J. Essent. Oil Res. 19: 372-375.
[8] R. J. De Villiers, S. C. Lamprecht & G. A. Agenbag (2006) Effect of chemical seed treatment on the germination and seedling growth of canola under different soil conditions, South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 23: 4, 287-296.
[9] Asghar Farajollahi, Bahram Gholinejad and Hamed Jonaidi Jafari.2024. Effects of different treatments on seed germination improvement of Calotropis persica. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. Advances in Agriculture, Volume 6(2), 5 pages.
[10] Abbas, M. W., Khan, M., Ahmad, F., Nawaz, H., Ahmad, J., Ayub, A., & Fahad, S. (2018). Germination and seedling growth of wheat as affected by seed priming and its duration. Agricultural Research and Technology, 18(3), 155-159.
[11] Yanglem, S. D., Ram, V., Rangappa, K., & Deshmukh, N. (2021). Effects of seed priming on root- shoot behavior and stress tolerance of pea (Pisum sativum L.). Bangladesh Journal of Botany, 50(2), PP. 199-208.
[12] Vijay Dugesar, A. K. Chaurasia, Bineeta M. Bara1, V. P. Sahi.2022. Enhancement of seed germination and seedling vigor through different seed priming treatments in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.). Journal of legume research.
[13] Hassen Seid, Tsegaye Mulualem, Getachew Shiferaw, Abebe Atilaw, Biruk Herko.2019. Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Cardamom (Elleteria cardamomum) at Tepi South-western Part of Ethiopia. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research. Vol. 7(6), pp. 303-306.
[14] Hassen Seid, Wassu Mohammed, Abebe Atilaw.2020. Effect of Priming on Seed Germination of Korerima [Aframomum corrorima (Braun) P. C. M. Jansen] Genotypes. Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research. Vol. 8(6), pp. 619-629.
[15] Behailu Mekonnen, Asrade Chane, Belay Gezahegn, Hassan Seid, Getachew Shiferaw, Tsegaye Mulualem.2023. Effect of Priming on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Cardamom (Elletaria cardamomum L. Maton) at Teppi, Southwestern Ethiopia. Journal of agriculture, forestery and fisheries. Vol. 13. No. 2. PP. 13-21.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Awoke, H. S., Kaske, K., Mulualem, T., Shiferaw, G. (2024). Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) at Humid Tropical Climatic Conditions. World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 2(4), 180-184. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18

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    ACS Style

    Awoke, H. S.; Kaske, K.; Mulualem, T.; Shiferaw, G. Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) at Humid Tropical Climatic Conditions. World J. Agric. Sci. Technol. 2024, 2(4), 180-184. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18

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    AMA Style

    Awoke HS, Kaske K, Mulualem T, Shiferaw G. Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) at Humid Tropical Climatic Conditions. World J Agric Sci Technol. 2024;2(4):180-184. doi: 10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18

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  • @article{10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18,
      author = {Hassen Seid Awoke and Karta Kaske and Tsegaye Mulualem and Getachew Shiferaw},
      title = {Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) at Humid Tropical Climatic Conditions
    },
      journal = {World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology},
      volume = {2},
      number = {4},
      pages = {180-184},
      doi = {10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.wjast.20240204.18},
      abstract = {Korarima (Aframomum corrorim) (is an indigenous spice and cash crop in Ethiopia. Korarima seed has less peppery pungent taste, and milder, sweeter flavor. Potentially it grows under the natural forests in the south and southwestern parts of the country where coffee potentially grow. But the crop shows delayed seed germination and poor field emergency at growing area. So obtaining fast seed germination and intact seedling is the main concern for farmers. The objective of this trial was to assess the potential of seed treatment chemicals on seed germination and seedling development of korarima. The trial was organized in completely randomized design with three replications. Analysis of Variance was done using statistical analysis software. Treatment means were separated using LSD at 0.05 probability level of significance. The results of the trial was designated that korarima seed germination and seedling development were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced by pre sowing seed treatment. The supreme seed germination value (83.25%) was shown by korarima seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min, whereas the lowest seed germination (47.53%) was seen from seeds soaked with 10% H2SO4 for 5 min. Based on these result, it can conclude pre-sowing seed treatment of Korarima enhanced seed germination and intact seedling development of korarima.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Enhancement of Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Korarima (Aframomum corrorima) at Humid Tropical Climatic Conditions
    
    AU  - Hassen Seid Awoke
    AU  - Karta Kaske
    AU  - Tsegaye Mulualem
    AU  - Getachew Shiferaw
    Y1  - 2024/12/07
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18
    DO  - 10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18
    T2  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
    JF  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
    JO  - World Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
    SP  - 180
    EP  - 184
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2994-7332
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjast.20240204.18
    AB  - Korarima (Aframomum corrorim) (is an indigenous spice and cash crop in Ethiopia. Korarima seed has less peppery pungent taste, and milder, sweeter flavor. Potentially it grows under the natural forests in the south and southwestern parts of the country where coffee potentially grow. But the crop shows delayed seed germination and poor field emergency at growing area. So obtaining fast seed germination and intact seedling is the main concern for farmers. The objective of this trial was to assess the potential of seed treatment chemicals on seed germination and seedling development of korarima. The trial was organized in completely randomized design with three replications. Analysis of Variance was done using statistical analysis software. Treatment means were separated using LSD at 0.05 probability level of significance. The results of the trial was designated that korarima seed germination and seedling development were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) enhanced by pre sowing seed treatment. The supreme seed germination value (83.25%) was shown by korarima seeds soaked with 80% alcohol for 30 min, whereas the lowest seed germination (47.53%) was seen from seeds soaked with 10% H2SO4 for 5 min. Based on these result, it can conclude pre-sowing seed treatment of Korarima enhanced seed germination and intact seedling development of korarima.
    
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Seed Research and Quality Assurance, Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center, Asela, Ethiopia

  • Seed Research and Quality Assurance, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Seed Research and Quality Assurance, Tepi Agricultural Research Center, Tepi, Ethiopia

  • Seed Research and Quality Assurance, Tepi Agricultural Research Center, Tepi, Ethiopia