Soil Treatment and Germination of Seedlings
Soil was treated by soaking sand in 1N hydrochloric acid
for one hour to eliminate microbes and solubilize mineral
elements which might be present in it. The acid was drained off
and the sand washed with tap water and then distilled water
until the pH of the decantable water was between 6 and 7,
which was optimal for the germination and growth of the
seedlings. The washed sand was air dried and transferred into
seventy-two plastic pots (about 24cm in diameter and 21cm in
depth) each with four holes of approximately 4 mm in
diameter bored at the bottom to enhance drainage during the
course of the experiment. Ten seeds were planted in each pot
and after germination thinned to five. The plants were exposed
to approximately eight hours of sunlight daily. Each bowl was
supplied with 200 ml of distilled water in the morning and
evening during the first 6 days after planting. After germination
and on the 9th day after planting, the pots were divided into
three nutrient regimes each containing twenty-four pots, each
pot containing five seedlings. The experiment was arranged in a
complete randomized design and carried out in three replicates