Validating the viability of Melia volkensii seed stored extracted and in nuts for promoting nature based enterprises and conservation in drylands, Kenya

Abstract

The development and supply of superior germplasm is important for promoting tree planting. Kenya has lost many tree seed sources through deforestation, land degradation, forest encroachment and conversion of agricultural land to housing. Nevertheless, limited access to quality tree seed is a major constraint to sustainable tree production in Kenya and effective storage of seed can ease its availability. Melia volkensii tree species is highly valued in the drylands of Kenya for its roles in social-economic, ecological, and environmental protection and conservation. This experiment aims at determining the viability of Melia seeds stored extracted and in nuts over one year through evaluation of seed germination. The research investigated the conducive environment that would favour the storage of Melia seeds to improve their viability status. The experiment showed that extracted Melia seeds stored at room temperature and a temperature of 4 degrees centigrade had higher germination capacities compared to Melia seeds stored at a temperature of negative 20 degrees centigrade. The peak average germination speed was 2.11, with a germination value of 3.99. Significant (p-value ≤ 0.001) differences were observed in the germination capacities between Melia stored as seeds and in nuts for the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh germinations (p-value ≤ 0.05). From the study, Melia stored as seeds at a temperature of 4 degrees centigrade had the highest marginal germination capacity.