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ABSTRACT
Study on the evaluation of germination and growth performance of juveneles of five indigenous forest tree species in the rainforest ecosystem was conducted at a nursery located at Ekosodin community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Matured fruits of fives indigenous forest tree species were collected under their mother tree and their seeds extracted. 120 polypots filled with topsoil and stacked in 25 plots with 5 observations each was used. 25 seeds per species were randomly assigned to plots and sown at 1cm depth. Data were collected in three stages: germination, seedling pre-establishment and establishment stages. Germination data was analyzed using descriptive statistics one-way ANOVA in a CRD design was used to test the significance of the species growth and development and means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Result shows Hildergadia bacteri and Terminalia ivorensis had the highest number of germinant (76%) while all species exhibited epigeal germination. Data analysis (ANOVA) shows significant difference between species in all parameter measured for seedling pre-establishment stage (P < 0.05). Morphological observation at establishment stage reveal T. ivorensis had the longest radicle and plumule length of 23cm and 22cm respectively, Terminalia ivicennioides had short radicle and plumule length. Well-developed root system was observed in H. bacteri compared to the other species while Albizia lebbeck showed high proliferation of lateral roots followed by Pericopsis elata (60) while T. ivorensis had the least lateral root production. This study has shown that for some species, especially with fleshy and foliaceous cotyledons, the cotyledons servers as a natural food reserve, protection and medium of photosynthesis for the emerging seedling against the vagaries of the environment and its retention aids the early growth and survival processes of the young seedlings.
