Biomass accumulated by Garcinia kola Heckel. seedlings under different light intensities

Abstract

Garcinia kola is found to be extinction-threatened due to over-exploitation and its regeneration has not been encouraged. This study investigated the influence of light intensities on the biomass accumulation of G. kola seedlings. Seedlings of G. kola were monitored under five light intensities namely; under forest canopy (5% light intensity), 25%, 50%, 75% light intensities and control treatment was direct sunlight (100% light intensity). The study was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Seedlings Leaf Dry Weight (LDW) under light intensities were not significantly affected (α=_0.05) by different light intensities but significantly affect (α=_0.05) the seedlings Stem Dry Weight (SDW), Root Dry Weight (RDW) and Total Dry Weight (TDW). Seedlings LDW ranged from 1.87 to 5.07 g, SDW ranged from 0.83 to 3.04 g, RDW ranged from 1.60 to 9.90 g and TDW ranged from 4.30 to 15.63 g respectively (after 24 weeks) depending on light intensity. The biomass accumulated by G. kola seedlings under 5 % light intensity was very low compared to the biomass accumulated by seedlings under other light conditions. Seedlings under 25%, 50% and 75% light intensities gave the highest biomass accumulation. This implies that G. kola preferred low light intensities for optimum biomass production.

Keywords: Garcinia kola, Light intensity, Biomass accumulation, Propagation, Nursery Stage