ABSTRACT

Early seedlings growth and control of attack of Phyiolyma lata on seedlings of Milicia excelsa using two insecticides were investigated at the Ecological Centre of the Deparbnent of Forestry and Environmental Management of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Nigeria Fruits of M. excelsa were collected from three locations in Ikwuano Local Government Area represented as, Amaoba, Amawom and Umudike, (AB. AW, and UM), in separate polythene bags. The fruits were depulped and broastcast in three germination boxes using a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The germination percentages for the three germination boxes over three months, November, 2001; December, 2001 and January, 2002 are as follows: 89.13%, 91.13%, 87.13%; 87.63%, 88.63%, 87.75%; 84.25%, 80.25% and 79.63%, respectively. It was observed that months of germination did not significantly affect the gennination percentages of M. excelsa. However, difference in months of germination (Nov., Dec., Jan.,) affected the germination percentages. Phytolyma lata attack occurred first on the seedlings in the nursery at the 15° week and severely at the 18 week of the study. Application of two insecticides namely, Karate and Decise at three levels 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml and 1.5 ml have significant effect on the control of the disease. Karate with a dosage of 1.5ml induces regrowth of affected shoot within two weeks, while Decise of the same dosage had a regrowth four weeks after application. It is recommended that M. excelsa seedlings in plantations be sprayed or injected with insecticide such as Karate or Decise at early stage of growth especially during the rainy season to minimize attacks on the shoots and leaves of M. excelsa by Bhytolyma lata.