Early growth of selected indigenous tree species in response to watering regime

Abstract

: The research was carried out to investigate the early growth of selected indigenous tree species in response to watering regime. Four different tree species Terminalia ivorensis, Terminalia superba, Mansonia altissima and Cleistopholis patense were collected from Aponmu Forest in Ondo state, Nigeria The seeds were subjected to cold water pre-treatment for 24 hours before sowing as a means of breaking the seed dormancy. Upon removal, the pretreated seeds of the respective species were sown in polypots and distributed to the experimental treatments which include three levels of watering regime (daily, twice weekly and thrice weekly) and replicated thrice. The planted seeds were subsequently watered ones daily; twice weekly and thrice weekly for a period of 96 days. The seedlings growth parameters: seedling height, branchlets count and collar diameters were monitored and assessed for 96 days. The result obtained shows that watering twice weekly was best for Mansonia altisima and Cleistopholis patens seedlings while thrice watering was best for Terminalia ivorensis and Terminalia superba seedlings. It is therefore recommended that the seedlings of Terminalia ivorensis, Terminalia superba, Cleistopholis patens and Mansonia altisima may be effective for improving the physiological growth which can enhance the domestication and cultivation of these seedlings in the environment when watered with well water, subjected to full light intensity and watered twice or