Influence of temperature and shade on the germination and early growth of Bombax buonopozense P. Beauv

Abstract

The study analyzed the influence of shade and temperature in germination and early growth rate  of Bombax buonopozense. A total of 300 seeds were collected and sown in 300 polypots (3kg per pot) filled with topsoil. For the site and treatment preparation, three different light shades were  selected. Two of the treatments (forest gap and dense shade) were located in the Arboretum while the third site (open shade) was located in the Nursery, both in the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management. The six germination conditions/treatments and their average light levels (illumination) obtained using the Lux meter of ×10 magnification were: Open Shade/Control: 447.5 Lux (treatment 1); Medium Shade: 157.5 Lux (treatment 2); Forest gap: 12.5 lux (treatment 3); Dense Shade: 3.2 Lux (treatment 4); white cellophane: 317.5 (treatment 5); black cellophane: -0.3 lux (treatment 6). Thus, 50 seeds were sown under each treatment plot. Data was analysed using One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) while the means was separated using Duncans Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The highest germination percentage (68%) was recorded under the medium shade compared to the other shade treatments. The highest mean temperature (32.48) was recorded for the white cellophane plot with a percentage germination of 50%. The early growth stage of B. buonopozense which show highest average seedling height of 10.38cm was recorded under the white cellophane treatment while forest gap seedlings had the least average height growth of 4.42cm at 6 weeks after germination (WAG). Moderate shade and temperature are therefore recommended for the germination and early growth of B. buonopozense.