GERMINATION AND EARLY GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF Alstonia boonei DE WILD UNDER TWO POTTING MEDIA TREATMENTS

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to examine the germination and growth characteristics of Alstonia boonei under two potting media in the nursery as well as pests/diseases that could affect the seedlings at the early stage. The potting media used were Top soil(T1) and poultry manure and top soil 2:1(T2). The study was carried out in the nursery of the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management. Germination was examined and germination parameters such as date of emergence, number of germinants per day, total germination percentage, end of germination phase, germination speed, and Timson germination index was recorded. Alstonia boonei was observed to be a fast germinator and its seeds exhibit long germination period. Seedlings were transplanted and growth parameters such as plant height, number of leaves, collar girth and leaf area were investigated under both treatments. The experimental design used was the Completely Randomized Design of two treatments replicated six times. Means were compared using the T-test at 5% level of significance for the growth parameters. At the end of the study, Alstonia boonei under T2 had the highest values for all growth parameters but it still exhibited a good enough growth rate of 1.31cm per week under T1. This indicates that Alstonia boonei will perform well under T1 (Top soil) but will perform better under T2. The pest observed to have attacked Alstonia boonei seedlings was a whole-leaf feeder called Zonocerus variegatus which was observed on the sixth week post-transplant. Leaf mining larva was observed and is being cultured, yet to be identified.