Comparative Growth Rates of Two Species of Monkey Kola Seeds Using Different Sowing Media

The study compared the growth rates of two species of monkey kola seeds (Cola parchycarpa and Cola lepidota K. Schum) using different sowing media between the period of March and August 2018. The experiment was laid out in 2 x 4 factorial in complete randomized design (CRD) with three treatment and top soil as the control. A total of seventy two (72) seeds and poly pots were used and one seed was sown in each poly pot and visited on daily basis. Data were collected on number of seedling germination, seedling height, leaf number, collar diameter and was recorded on weekly basis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages; LSD and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result reveals that topsoil was the best for the propagation of Cola parchycarpa, with the highest seedling germination of 100%. Topsoil, sawdust and river sand treated with poultry dropping recorded 77.77%, 66.66% and 55.55% respectively. There was a significant difference in the number of leaf (P<0.05) under the different sowing media. LSD test further showed that topsoil had the highest mean value of 10.6±4.5cm in leaf number and 0.43±0.17cm in collar diameter. Sawdust with poultry droppings had the highest mean value of 56.8±14.35cm in leaf area and 15.17±6.18cm in seedling height. Cola lepidota also revealed that topsoil was the best for its propagation with the highest seedling germination of 22.22% and river sand with poultry droppings had germination percentage of 11.11%. There was a significant difference in the collar diameter (p<0.05) under the different sowing media. LSD test further indicated that the highest mean value of 22.60±41.45cm was recorded in leaf area low in collar diameter with the value of 0.29±0.11cm. Therefore, the use of topsoil and sawdust treated with poultry droppings is recommended for small and large-scale propagation of C. parchycarpa and C. lepidota