Early Growth Response of Khaya senegalensis Seedlings to Water Requirement

Water availability in quantity and quality is an important factor required during growth, development and for nursery seedling productivity. The study determined the response of Khaya senegalensis seedlings to water requirement and it effect on the growth. Levels of water required was determined by subjecting seedlings to four watering frequencies vis-à-vis Daily watering, watering every two days, watering every four days and once a week. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design (CRD) and parameters such as stem height, collar diameter, leaf area, leaf number were collected fortnightly while, dry weight, fresh weight, root to shoot ratio, root length, root weight, shoot length, turgidity weight and relative water content were evaluated after Twelve (12) weeks of growth. Data collected was subjected to One Way Analysis of Variance on SAS software and significant means was separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). From the result, morphological variables such as collar diameter (10.80mm), number of leaf (32.77), leaf area (403.65 cm2) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in seedlings with highest requirement for water (daily watering). Also, physiological variables such as dry weight (17.35 g), fresh weight (36.28 g), turgid weight (47.93 g), root weight (14.02 g) and shoot weight (24.38 g) increased significantly (p<0.05) in seedling water daily. The early growth of Khaya senegalensisseedlings was enhanced due to availability of soil water in response to its requirement.