Germination And Early Seedling Growth Of Triplochiton Scleroxylon, Entandrophragma Angolense, Khaya Ivorensis, Lovoa Trichilioides And Dacryodes Edulis At Umudike, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

 A total of 60 fruits of Entandrophragma angolense, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Khaya ivorensis, Lovoa trichilioides and Dacryodes edulis were collected at Bende Forest Reserve and their seeds were extracted. A total of 40 viable seeds of each tree species were broadcast on a germination boxes in which soil was previously added. The germination boxes were watered two times daily. The conditions of the broadcast seeds were observed weekly. The germination types were observed and recorded for each tree seeds. The germination types of the five tree species were phanerocotylar epigcal seedling. A total of fifty (50) wildlings of the five plant species, 7riplochiton scleroxylon, Entandrophragma angolense, Khaya ivorensis, lovoa trichilioides and Dacryodes edulis were collected from Bende Forest Reser've, in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Ten ( I 0) wildlings of each tree species were transplanted into polythene bags which were filled with a mixture of soil and poultry droppings. The polythene bags were watered twice daily. Measurements of the stem height, the diameter at ground leve} were done. The number of branches and leaves were counted on weekly basis. Te:a wild lings of these plant species were planted al the escapement of 8.0 x 8.0 m behind the Department or Forestry and Environmental management. Measurement of the height and diameter of the seedlings were done on weekly basis, using a ruler. The branches and the leaves were counted on weekly basis also. Each plant seedling grew at 1.0 cm per month presumably because of the poor rainfa:' observed during the dry season.