EFFECT OF PLANTING MEDIA ON SURVIVAL AND EARLY GROWTH OF SELECTED AGROFORESTRY TREE: GMELINA ARBOREA, SENNA SIAMEA AND ALBIZIA ZYGIA SEEDS

Abstract

This study examined the effect of different planting media on the germination and early growth of three agroforestry tree species: Albizia zygia, Gmelina arborea, and Senna siamea. A 5 × 3 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was conducted with
five soil media combinations: 100% topsoil (TP100), 100% river sand (RS100), 1:1 topsoil-toriver-sand mix (TR 1:1), 1:4 topsoil-to-river-sand mix (TR 1:4), and 4:1 topsoil-to-river-sand mix (TR 4:1). Growth parameters measured were germination percentage, seedling height, stem girth, and number of leaves. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) differences in seedling height, stem girth, and number of leaves among the soil media and species, though germination percentages did not differ significantly. Albizia zygia recorded the highest number of leaves across all time points, while Gmelina arborea achieved the tallest seedling height in TP100 (38.60 ± 0.60 cm). Albizia zygia performed best in RS100 (17.20 ± 4.31 cm), and Senna siamea exhibited optimal growth in TR 4:1, with a stem girth of 28.00 ± 1.22 mm. This study concludes that soil media selection significantly influences the early growth and survival
of agroforestry tree species. Gmelina arborea thrives best in 100% topsoil, Albizia zygia in 100% river sand, and Senna siamea in a 4:1 topsoil-to-river-sand mix. These findings provide valuable insights for improving the propagation and management of agroforestry trees.