Early Germination and Growth Trial of <i>Anogeissus leiocarpus </i>Seeds Sourced from Three Locations in Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated early germination and growth trial of Anogeissus leiocarpus. The seeds were collected from three locations; (Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Zaria, Kaduna State and Toro Bauchi State). Seeds were soaked in cold water for 24 hours before sowing in germination beds accordance to specification of location. Three beds for each location. The experiment was laid out in a 4 x 3 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The results revealed that, Seedlings treated with poultry manure combined with cow dung recorded the highest mean height (18.71±7.22 a cm), while the least height of (14.65±4.58cm) was obtained in cow dung treated seedlings. Seedlings sourced from Kaduna had the highest mean height of (17.78±9.96 a cm). While the least height of (14.58±7.31 b cm) was obtained in Nasarawa sourced seedlings. The results of analysis of variance showed that the effect of manure types had a high significant impact on seedlings height,, collar girth, branches and numbers of leaf (0.000**) respectively (P>0.05). The effect of seed sources also had a high significant impact on seedlings height (0.000**), collar girth (0.000**), branches (0.000**) and numbers of leaf (P>0.05). The results of Regression Analysis of parameters assessed on seedlings against height increment revealed that seedlings height yielded coefficient of determination (R 2 = 0.573). This implied that the assessed growth variables had about 57.3% effects on the seedlings height. It was concluded that the treatment with Cow dung and poultry manure performed better; therefore it should be adopted in raising the seedlings in the nursery so as to guarantee its sustainable supply to wood industry.