Seed Pre-Treatment and Early Growth Performance of Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redhead under Nitrogen Amendment in Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria

Survival of wildlife in protected areas is dependent on innate attributes and response vegetation to climate change. Piliostigma thonningii holds promise for conservation Old Oyo National Park, but its population threatened by physical dormancy. There dearth information long-term benefits seed pretreatment early growth nitrogen fertilizer. This study assessed effects acid scarification germination P. under different application rates. Seeds harvested from three purposively selected seasonal wetlands Park (OONP) were treated with 1N H2SO4 at durations ranging 0 – 120 minutes replicates. Germinated seeds enumerated over a 14-day period. Top soils the randomly sampled using soil auger replicates chemical analyses, Urea fertilizer rates 0, 50 100 kg/ha experimental pots completely randomized design. Growth dry matter ANOVA P.05. Germination commenced control treatments 14 days after plating (DAP) was low (13.3%). progressively increased treatment. At 5 DAP soaking 30 gave 46.67%; while it 96.67% 40 DAP. Higher times 100% DAP, vigor. The significantly higher number leaves 12 weeks than other Other parameters are not all biomass yield 1.98 g ±0.21and 2.6 ±0.36 root shoot weights 6 sowing (WAS); 7.3 ±0.04 6.4 ±0.95 WAS. can restore improve abundance mitigate change Park.