Effects of Seed Source and Fertilization on Germination and Growth of Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss is one of the most economic forest tree species used for high quality furniture, building and construction purposes. It has high medicinal values. There is high demand for the species and the plantation production of the species is scarce. There is inadequate information on the right fertilizer type and amount needed to raise the tree species in nurseries and plantation. This study set out to investigate the effects of seed source on seed germination and effects of fertilizer types on the early growth of the tree species. K. senegalensis seeds were collected from three locations (progenies) in Benue State, namely: Vandeikya,  Makurdi and Oju. The experiment was laid out in a 3 x 4 x 5 factorial design. Treatments administered included: treatment A (topsoil and poultry manure), B (topsoil and cow dung), C (topsoil and NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer) and treatment D-topsoil only (control). The seeds were planted in plastic pots filled with 1kg of topsoil and river sand at the Forestry Nursery of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.. Treatments were administered at five different levels of 5g, 10g, 15g, 20g and 25g each of poultry manure, cow dung, mixture of cowdung and Poultry manure, NPK 15.15.15 inorganic fertilizers and top soil only (Control)  Each treatment consisted of 20 experimental pots replicated three times. Germination was monitored at intervals of three (3) days. Treatments were applied after germination was observed. Seedling growth parameters measured included plant height, collar diameter, leaf number, leaf area, plant fresh weight and dry weight. Data collected was subjected to descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA. Seed germination results differed significantly (p<0.05) among the three locations. The results showed seeds collected from Makurdi had the highest germination percentage (35.6%). The results on fresh weight and dry weight showed that seedlings treated with cow dung in Makurdi and Poultry manure in Oju had the highest mean fresh weight (30.8g) and dry weights (9.5g). Results on leaf area showed seedlings treated with Poultry manure recorded the highest mean leaf area (68.8cm²) in Makurdi. Poultry manure had the highest significant effects on the seedlings height growth. Seedlings treated with poultry manure yielded the overall best growth results.

Key words: Khaya. senegalensis, germination, growth, organic manure and NPK fertilizer.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-4-05

Publication date: February 28, 2019