EVALUATION OF SEED GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF SEEDLINGS OF KHAYA GRANDIFOLIOLA C.DC. UNDER VARIED ILLUMINATION LEVELS IN A PLANTED FOREST

ABSTRACT

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the germination and seedling growth of Khaya grandifoliola under varied light levels in a planted forest setting. The experiment was conducted in a nursery and arboretum at the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management, University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria. Light levels were measured using a lux meter and categorized into three plots labeled light, medium and heavy shade. A total of 195 seeds of K. grandifoliola were sown directly into topsoil-filled polypots (65 seeds per plot). Germination data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (tables and graphs) and Microsoft Excel 2010 for calculating germination parameters. Results showed that for all shade levels the first day of germination (FDG) occurred 11 days after sowing (DAS) with seeds exhibiting epigeal germination. For the growth parameters, seedlings grown under medium shade achieved the greatest average height (14.88cm) and most leaves (4.623), highlighting a potential shade tolerance in K. grandifoliola. Interestingly, shade did not significantly influence collar girth. These findings suggest that moderate shade levels might be optimal for promoting healthy K. grandifoliola seedlings with superior height growth and leaf development.