Effect of seed source on seedling growth of <I>Dialium guineensis</I> (Wild)

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of different seed source on seedling growth of Dialium guineensis with a view to providing the best provenances and growth medium at the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The fruits used for the study were collected from three (3) mother trees consisting in Abeokuta (Ogun State), Aba (Abia State) and Choba (Rivers State). The collected fruits were extracted and subjected to germination using three growth medium namely Sharp River sand, Sawdust and Topsoil involving three replicates in A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The highest mean height was recorded from Abeokuta with seed sown in topsoil which had (5.34±0.12) this was followed by Choba with seed sown in topsoil which had (5.10±0.12) and the least was recorded in Aba with seed sown in sharp sand having mean value of (3.92±0.12). The highest collar diameter was recorded from Choba with seed sown in sharp sand which had (1.84±0.56) the was followed by Aba with seed sown in sharp sand which had (1.80±0.56) the least was recorded Abeokuta with seed sown in topsoil (0.63±0.56). The highest leave number was observed from Abeokuta with seed sown in sharp sand which had (4.94±0.17) this was followed by Abeokuta with seed sown in sawdust which had (4.69±0.17), the least was recorded in Choba with seed sown in topsoil which had (4.41±0.17). the results reveals that seeds from different source demonstrated different growth performance as it was recorded that the seeds from Abeokuta performed better and sharp sand as best growth media. As a result recommendation for mass production of D. guineense within the south western zone of Nigeria.

Keywords: Seed source. Growth media, seedling growth, polythene bags, Dialium guineensis