Comparative Seed Germination and Early growth Assessment of Indigenous and Exotic Tree species in Nigeria

This study assessed the germination and early growth of selected indigenous tree crops (Khaya grandifoliola, Khaya senegalensis, Terminalia superba, Terminalia ivorensis, Mansonia altissima) and exotic tree species (Tectona grandis). Seeds of the tree species were collected, treated, and raised in the departmental nursery of Forest Production and Products, University of Ibadan. The replicate for the seed germination experiment varied based on seed availability. A total of 45 and 42 Khaya grandifoliola and Khaya senegalensis seeds, 8390 Tectona grandis, 295 seed of Terminalia superba, and 2725 Terminalia ivorensis seed was planted respectively. Upon germination, seedlings were pricked-out into the polythene pots while the change in growth variables which are leaf length, number of leaves, leaf width, and height was assessed for three weeks using a total of 10 replicates per each tree species. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics and ANOVA using IBM Statistics 27 and the experimental design employed is the completely randomized design (CRD). The best germination (100%) was recorded for two of the indigenous tree crops (Khaya senegalensis and Khaya grandifoliola) 21 days after planting. Plant height increased from Mansonia altissima (2.17 cm) to T. superba (26.05 cm). All the growth variables assessed were significantly different among the tree species. This study revealed that the indigenous tree species are better germinated and grew more appreciably than the exotic species, however, there is a need for a more extended study to confirm the claim.