Morphology, Germination, and Early Growth of Albizia lebbeck and Albizia procera for Urban Afforestation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20262521Keywords:
Pods, Seeds, Morphology, Albizia species, Pre-sowing treatments, SudanAbstract
Introduction: Albizia lebbeck L. and Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. are exotic multipurpose tree species with high potential for urban and rural afforestation in Sudan. Understanding their pod and seed characteristics, as well as factors influencing germination and early growth, is essential for effective propagation and plantation success.
Objective: This study, conducted during 2019–2020, aimed to evaluate the morphology of pods and seeds, germination behavior, and early seedling growth of A. lebbeck and A. procera under different pre-sowing treatments.
Method: Mature pods were collected from both species in the Blue Nile and Khartoum States. Pod and seed traits were measured for size, weight, and seed count. For germination tests, a total of 400 seeds per species were subjected to four pre-sowing treatments (100 seeds each): immersion in hot water (100 °C, cooled overnight), cold water (4 °C, 24 h), concentrated sulphuric acid (5 min) followed by soaking, and untreated control. Seeds were sown under controlled nursery conditions, and germination percentage, germination rate index (GRI), mean germination time (MGT), and early seedling growth (stem, leaves, roots) were recorded. Data were analyzed using ANOVA (GLM, SAS v9.0).
Results: Significant differences (p = 0.0001) were observed between species in pod and seed morphology. Pre-sowing treatments significantly enhanced germination compared with the controls. The highest germination success (82.07 %) was achieved with hot water treatment at 80 °C for 10 min, followed by 79.00 % at 100 °C for 1 min. Germination started 4–6 days after sowing and was completed within 22–25 days. Although seed source had limited influence, significant interactions occurred between source and treatment.
Conclusion: Hot water treatment (100 °C for 1 min) is recommended to improve seed germination of Albizia procera, especially under rural conditions such as those in Bangladesh. These findings contribute to the propagation and management strategies of Albizia species for afforestation programs.
References
1. Flores EM. Seed biology. In: Vozzo JA, editor. The Tropical Tree Seed Manual. Agriculture Handbook 721. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; 2002. p. 13–118.
2. Alamgir M, Hossain MK. Effect of pre-sowing treatments on Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. seeds and initial development of seedlings in the nursery. J For Environ. 2005;3:53–60.
3. Alamgir M, Hossain MK. Effect of pre-sowing treatments on germination and initial seedling development of Albizia saman in the nursery. J For Res. 2005;16(3):200–204. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02856814
4. Azad MS, Islam MW, Matin MA, Bari MA. Effect of pre-sowing treatment on seed germination of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. South Asian J Agric. 2006;1(2):32–34.
5. Azad MS, Matin MA, Islam MW, Musa ZA. Effect of pre-sowing treatment on seed germination of Lohakath (Xylia kerrii Craib & Hutch.). Khulna Univ Stud. 2006;7(2):33–36. doi:10.53808/KUS.2006.7.2.0552-L DOI: https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2006.7.2.0552-L
6. Azad MS, Zedan-Al-Musa M, Matin MA. Effect of pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of Melia azedarach. J For Res. 2010;21(2):193–196. doi:10.1007/s11676-010-0031-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-010-0031-1
7. Azad MS, Paul NK, Matin MA. Do pre-sowing treatments affect seed germination in Albizia richardiana and Lagerstroemia speciosa? Front Agric China. 2010;4(2):181–184. doi:10.1007/s11703-010-0100-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11703-010-0100-4
8. Vozzo JA. Tropical tree seed manual. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; 2002. 899 p.
9. Koirala B, Hossain MK, Hossain MS. Effects of different pre-sowing treatments on Adenanthera pavonia L. seeds and initial seedling development in the nursery. Malays For. 2000;63(2):82–91.
10. Matin MA, Islam MS, Azad MS. Seed germination, seedling growth and rooting of branch cuttings of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Khulna Univ Stud. 2006;Special Issue (1st Research Cell Conference):83–87. doi:10.53808/KUS.SI.FRCC.2006.83-87-ls DOI: https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.SI.FRCC.2006.83-87-ls
11. Aboutalebi A, Hasanzada H, Farahi MH. Effect of various treatments on seed germination characteristics of wild Ziziphus (Ziziphus spina-christi). World Appl Sci J. 2012;17(7):900–904.
12. Gibreel HH, Mohammed Salih RR, Yagoub YE. Seed germination and seedling morphology as a tool for taxonomic study on Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H. Hurter & Mabb. (Synonym: Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile) in the Sudan. Int J Agric Sci Vet Med. 2019;7(4):43–56.
13. Hong TD, Ellis RH. Storage. In: Vozzo JA, editor. The Tropical Tree Seed Manual. Agriculture Handbook 721. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; 2002. p. 13–118.
14. Kettle CJ, Burslem DFRP, Ghazoul J. An unorthodox approach to forest restoration. Science. 2011;333(6038):36. doi:10.1126/science.333.6038.36-a DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.333.6038.36-a
15. Baskin CC, Baskin JM. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography and Evolution in Dormancy and Germination. San Diego (CA): Academic Press; 1998. 666 p. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-080260-9.X5000-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-080260-9.X5000-3
16. Baskin CC, Baskin JM. Determining dormancy-breaking and germination requirements from the fewest numbers of seeds. In: Guerrant EO, Havens K, Maunder M, editors. Ex situ Plant Conservation: Supporting Species Survival in the Wild. Washington (DC): Island Press; 2004. p. 162–179.
17. Hossain MA, Arefin MK, Khan BM, Rahman MA. Effects of seed treatments on germination and seedling growth attributes of Horitaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.) in the nursery. Res J Agric Biol Sci. 2005;1(2):135–141.
18. Liu HL, Shi X, Wang JC, Yin LK, Huang ZY, Zhang DY. Effects of sand burial, soil water content and distribution pattern of seeds in sand on seed germination and seedling survival of Eremosparton songoricum (Fabaceae), a rare species inhabiting the moving sand dunes of the Gurbantunggut Desert of China. Plant Soil. 2011;345(1):69–87. doi:10.1007/s11104-011-0761-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-011-0761-7
19. Vargas G, Werden LK, Powers JS. Explaining legume success in tropical dry forests based on seed germination niches: a new hypothesis. Biotropica. 2015;47(3):277–280. doi:10.1111/btp.12210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.12210
20. de Faria SM, Diedhiou AG, de Lima HC, Ribeiro RD, Galiana A, Castilho AF, Henriques JC. Evaluating the nodulation status of leguminous species from the Amazonian forest of Brazil. J Exp Bot. 2010;61(11):3119–3127. doi:10.1093/jxb/erq142 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erq142
21. Azad MS, Nahar N, Matin MA. Effects of variation in seed sources and pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of Tamarindus indica: a multi-purpose tree species in Bangladesh. For Sci Pract. 2013;15:121–129. doi:10.1007/s11632-013-0211-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11632-013-0211-0
22. Kheloufi A, Mansouri LM, Boukhatem ZF. Application and use of sulphuric acid pretreatment to improve seed germination of three Acacia species. Reforesta. 2017;3(3):1–10. doi:10.21750/REFOR.3.01.25 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21750/REFOR.3.01.25
23. Duan Z, Andronescu M, Schutz K. Dimensional model of the yeast genome. Nature. 2010;465:363–367. doi:10.1038/nature08973 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08973
24. El Amin HM. Trees and shrubs of the Sudan. Exeter: Ithaca Press; 1990. p. 169–177.
25. Harrison MN, Jackson JK. Ecological classification of the vegetation of the Sudan. Forest Bulletin No. 2. Khartoum: Forest Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Sudan; 1958.
26. Abdel Magid TD, Badi KH. Ecological zones of the Sudan. Paper prepared for the Nile Basin Initiative in Sudan Biodiversity in Sudan; 2005 [cited 2024 Nov 25].
27. Mohamed NAH, Bannari A, Fadul HM, Zakieldeen S. Ecological zones degradation analysis in Central Sudan during a half-century using remote sensing and GIS. Adv Remote Sens. 2016;5:355–371. doi:10.4236/ars.2016.54025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/ars.2016.54025
28. Sivakrishnan S, Swamivelmanickam M. A comprehensive review of Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth.—an update. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2019;10(9):4129–4144. doi:10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.10(9).4129-44 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7897/2230-8407.1006193
29. Abdelkheir RM, Hamza NB, Khalil AM, Warrag EI. Genetic variation within and among five natural populations of endangered Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) subsp. birrea in Sudan. Afr J Biotechnol. 2011;10(28):5452–5460. doi:10.5897/AJB11.548
30. Gibreel HH. Morphological, anatomical and molecular study on Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile, in the Sudan, its significance in taxonomic classification of the species [PhD thesis]. Khartoum (Sudan): University of Khartoum; 2015. p. 39–55.
31. Ahmadloo F, Tabari M, Behtari B. Effect of drought stress on the germination parameters of Cupressus seeds. Int J For Soil Eros. 2011;1(1):11–17.
32. Ben Zetta H, Amrani S, Nacer A. Effects of pre-germination treatments, salt and water stresses on germination of Acacia ehrenbergiana Hayne and Acacia seyal Del. (Mimosoideae): Two Algerian native species. Appl Ecol Environ Res. 2017;15(4):355–368. doi:10.15666/aeer/1504_355368 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1504_355368
33. Chaudhry AK, Ali Z, Rashid CA, Chughtai NM. Shade requirement of Acacia nilotica at nursery stage. Pak J Agric Sci. 2004;41(3–4):134–136.
34. Missanjo E, Maya C, Kapira D, Banda H, Kamanga-Thole G. Effect of seed size and pretreatment methods on germination of Albizia lebbeck. ISRN Bot. 2013;Article ID 969026, 4 pages. doi:10.1155/2013/969026
35. Das S, Ghosh M, Paria N. Seedling morphology of some mangroves of Sunderbans, India: A taxonomic approach. Feddes Repert. 2001;112(5–6):357–369. doi:10.1002/fedr.4921120506 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fedr.4921120506
36. Malik V, Anand S, Mohammad I. Seedling morphology of endangered Eremostachys superba Royle ex Benth (Lamiaceae). Int J Pure Appl Biosci. 2014;2(5):229–232.
37. Elrod SL, Stansfield WD. Genetics. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill; 2003. 500 p.
38. Elmund WS, Dunn LC, Theodosius D. Principles of Genetics. New York: Tata McGraw Hill; 2004. 459 p.
39. Akinyele BO, Temitokan T. Taxonomic implication of leaf epidermal characters of three Nigerian representatives of Dipcadi. Med J Res Sci Manag. 2005;1(3):17–24.
40. Akinyele BO, Osekita OS. Genotype × environment interaction in NH47-4 variety of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). Int J Genet Mol Biol. 2011;3(4):55–59.
41. Tiwari SK, Dhuria SS. Variability studies of pod and seed characteristics of Albizia procera in Chhattisgarh. Int J Sci Res Biol Sci. 2018;5(3):27–31. doi:10.26438/ijsrbs/v5i3.2731 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26438/ijsrbs/v5i3.2731
42. World Food Programme (WFP). Albizia lebbeck Benth. flora of Panama [Internet]. Tropicos.org; 2012 [cited 2025 Sep]. Available from: https://www.tropicos.org/
43. Azad MS, Biswas RK, Matin MA. Seed germination of Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. in Bangladesh: A basis for seed source variation and pre-sowing treatment effect. For Stud China. 2012;14(2):124–130. doi:10.1007/s11632-012-0209-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11632-012-0209-z
44. Azad MS, Manik MR, Hasan MS, Matin MA. Effect of different pre-sowing treatments on seed germination percentage and growth performance of Acacia auriculiformis. J For Res. 2011;22(2):183–188. doi:10.1007/s11676-011-0147-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-011-0147-y
45. Azad MS, Rahman MT, Matin MA. Seed germination techniques of Phoenix dactylifera: a new experience from Bangladesh. Front Agric China. 2011;5:241–246. doi:10.1007/s11703-011-1086-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11703-011-1086-2
46. Luna T, Wilkinson K, Dumroese RK. Seed germination and sowing options. In: Nursery Manual for Native Plants: A Guide for Tribal Nurseries, Vol 1, Nursery management. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; 2009. p. 163–183.
47. Neelam T, Shakya NB. Effect of pre-treatment on seeds of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth to enhance the germination percentage. Int J Bot Stud. 2021;6(6):1528–1531.
48. Rai SN. Pre-treatment of seeds of Albizia falcata, Albizia chinensis and Albizia richardiana. Myforest. 1978;14:241–245.
49. Gogue GJ, Emino ER. Seed coat scarification of Albizia julibrissin (Durazz.) by natural mechanisms. J Am Soc Hortic Sci. 1979;104(3):421–423. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.104.3.421
50. Halos SC, Fabian VI Jr. A quick, simple method of improving the germination of stored Albizia procera (Roxb.) (Benth.). Sylvatrop. 1981;6:85–90.
51. Babeley GS, Gautam SP, Kandya AK. Pre-treatment of Albizia lebeck (Benth.) seeds to obtain better germination and vigour. J Trop For. 1986;2:105–113.
52. Matin MA, Rashid MH. Seed morphology, germination and seedling survival of Albizia trees in the nursery. Bangladesh J For Sci. 1992;21(1&2):40–45.
53. Bhat GS, Chauhan PS. Provenance variation in seed and seedling traits of Albizzia lebbek Benth. J Tree Sci. 2002;21:52–57.
54. Khan BM, Koirala B, Hossian MK. Effect of different pre-sowing treatments on germination and seedling growth attributes in Ghora Neem (Melia azedarach L.). Malays For. 2001;64(1):14–21.
55. Karoune S, Kechebar MS, Belhamra M, Rahmoune C. Study the germination of Acacia albida seeds under salt stress. Int J Adv Res. 2013;1(5):276–283.
56. Ajiboye AA, Agboola DA, Atayese MO, Kadiri M. Some aspects of dormancy studies and vitamin D content of four tree seed species. Eur J Biol Sci. 2009;1(3):23–27.
57. Missanjo E, Maya C, Kapira D, Banda H, Kamanga-Thole G. Effect of seed size and pretreatment methods on germination of Albizia lebbeck. ISRN Bot. 2013;Article ID 969026, 4 pages. doi:10.1155/2013/969026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/969026
58. Coelho MB, Nascimento de Souza JW, Bernardo Lima AK. Overcoming seed dormancy of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. J Glob Biosci. 2014;3(2):488–493.
59. Jayashree B, Thakur CL, Sharma A, Sharma S. Studies on germination of Albizia procera (Roxb.) under nursery condition. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2020;11:3174–3180.
60. Khan K. Seedling morphology of parrot tree (Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.) from Oud Metha Park, Dubai, UAE. Int J Biol Biotechnol. 2020;17(1):137–158.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Wadah Osman, Haytham Hashim Gibreel, Ahmed Ashour, Mohamed Mirghani, Mohamed Farag, Tariq M. Aljarba (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
