Effects of seed bombing technique on lemon seedling early growth using different growing media and different number of seeds per seed bomb

Author

Mundozi, Sheron

Title

Effects of seed bombing technique on lemon seedling early growth using different growing media and different number of seeds per seed bomb

Abstract

Seed bombing technique was discovered by Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer, breeder ,microbiologist and expert in plant breeding. It is a technique that involves encapsulating seeds in a growth medium and then dispersing them to germinate. The study examined the effectiveness of the seed bombing technique on lemon early growth, with a focus on comparing the performance of different growing media and the impact of different number of seeds per seed bomb. The study evaluated four media type which were manure, humus, charcoal and clay, to determine their suitability for lemon cultivation using the seed bombing technique. The research tested the effects of using one seed versus two seeds per seed bomb. The experiment was carried out at Bindura University farm and the experiment was laid out using randomized complete block design (RCBD) and it had two factors; media type and number of seeds per seed bomb. The results showed that manure-based seed bombs significantly outperformed the other growing media tested. Media type and number of seeds per seed bomb had a significant effect on chlorophyll content, height and diameter at breadth height (p<0.05). Media type and seed bomb size had no significant effect on leaf number(p>0.05). There was an interaction effect between media type and number of seeds per seed bomb on germination, days to germination and leaf length (p<0.05). Media type and number of seeds per seed bomb had a significant effect on germination and leaf length. Lemon plants grown in manure and humus exhibited higher chlorophyll content and faster early growth rate. In terms of seed quantity, the study found that seed bombs containing a single seed performed better than those with two seeds. The one-seed seed bombs had higher germination success and better seedling establishment. Based on the research findings, seed bombing technique is a recommended and an effective method for lemon cultivation, but the choice of growing medium and the number of seeds per seed bomb are critical factors in determining the success of this approach. The insights from this study provide valuable guidance for farmers and researchers interested in exploring alternative techniques such as seed bombing which is more effective than the nursery based method.

Date

June 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Seeds

Plant breeding

Effectiveness

Seed bombing technique

Supervisor

Mr. Mutsengi