ABSTRACT
This study was carried out at the University of Ilorin Sugar Research Institute in
the Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone of Nigeria between September and
December 2010 in order to evaluate the effect of seed size on growth parameters
of Jatropha Curcas seedlings in the Guinea Savanna of Nigeria.
The study evaluated two ranges of seed sizes 0.3-1.0cm and 1.2-2.1cm which
were replicated ten times which were planted in poly- ethylene bags and raised in
the nursery.
The growth parameters used are the plant height, number of leaves per plant,
the leaf length and breadth per plant, the two ranges of seed sizes were
significantly different from the second week after planting to the tenth week
using the growth parameters .
The result also showed that the seed size had significant influence on the
growth of Jatropha seedlings and yield, the study shows high viability of seeds
with a germination rate of 100%, the intensity of watering and temperature has a
fundamental impact on the germination rate.
Supervised by Dr. J. A. Awopetu