Seed Production, Viability And Germination Of Citrullus Lanatus At The King Nehale Conservancy In Namibia

ABSTRACT

Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Matsumura & Nakai seeds are valued for their oil for both household consumption and in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. The immense monetary value offered for its seeds has resulted in over-exploitation of C. lanatus. This study investigated the ethnobotany, seed production, germination and viability of C. lanatus under controlled greenhouse and natural field conditions. An ethnobotanical study was carried out were resource users and key informants were interviewed on the plant resource utilization. Seed collection and germination trials of C. lanatus seeds took place at the University of Namibia main campus and the King Nehale Conservancy (KNC). Harvested fruits were collected, weighted and measured. Tetrafolium was used to test seed viability. Seed production was estimated by quantifying the number of seeds in randomly selected fruits from the wild. Seeds were then exposed to various treatments methods including scarification, treatment with essential microbes (EM) and water imbibition, and some kept as controls. Germination rates were expressed as the percentage of seeds germinated within 21 days after sowing the seeds. The data were subjected to statistical treatment using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and T-tests.