1.1 Introduction
Medicinal plants have the ability to synthesize a wide variety of chemical compounds which are used to perform biological functions and to defend against attack from predators such as insects, fungi, yeasts, bacteria, virus and other pathogens (Tapsell et al., 2006). Chemical compounds in plants mediate their effect on the human body through processes identical to those already well understood for the chemical compounds in conventional drugs (Lai and Roy, 2004). Thus, herbal medicines do not differ greatly from conventional drugs in terms of how they work.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Canarium schweinfurthii is a tree growing in the equatorial forest region and is widely distributed in tropical Africa, particularly across East, Central and West Africa (Keary, 1989). Canarium schweinfurthii is one of those plants usually used by indigenous persons for it nutritional value and to manage some health problems. It belongs to burseraceae family. This family consists of 18 genera and about 700 species of tropical trees. The members of the genus Canarium L. consist of medium to large buttressed trees up to 40-50m tall, or rarely a shrub (Mogana et al., 2011).
The old tree is up to 40 m high with very slight blunt buttress and a diameter which can reach 4.5m. A cut on it bark exudes gum which solidifies to a whitish resin, the flowers are creamy white and unisexual, and the ripe fruit is dark brown/purplish plum like containing a hard shaped trigonous stone (Ngbebe et al., 2008).
The purplish ripe fruits are common in forest zone, while the dark brown fruits are common on the savannah region. The fruit pulp contains 30- 50% oil, used as essential oil and known to have analgesic effect. This plant has different names depending on the language and country where it grows: English (purple canary tree, incense tree, gum resin tree, bush candle tree, African elemi); French (elemier d’Afrique, elemi de Moahum, elemi d’ouganda); Luganda (muwafu); Swahili (mpafu, mbani); Beh (in West Cameroon).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Effect of Cracking and Scarification on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna (Canarium Schweinfurthii).
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals the problem of the Effect of Cracking and Scarification on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna (Canarium Schweinfurthii) research work:
- Insufficient information relating to the effect of Cracking on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna
- Lack of effective Scarification on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna
- Poor market survey of the process of Ube Myna germination
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the Effect of Cracking and Scarification on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna (Canarium Schweinfurthii). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the effect of Cracking on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna
- To assess the effect of Scarification on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna
- To find out about the germination percentage process of Ube Myna
- To carry out a market survey of the process of Ube Myna germination
- To recommend solution to the stated problems above to investigate the effect of cracking and scarification on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Does Scarification negatively impact Germination Percentage of Ube Myna?
- Does market survey of the process increase the Percentage of Ube Myna germination?
- What is the Effect of Cracking on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna?
1.6 Significance of Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Effect of Cracking and Scarification on Germination Percentage of Ube Myna (Canarium Schweinfurthii).
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
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