Influence Of Different Light Intensities On The Germination And Early Growth Of Treculia Africana

Influence Of Different Light Intensities On The Germination And Early Growth Of Treculia Africana

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different lights intensities on the germination and early growth of Treculia africana under different light intensities (100%, 60%, and 40% light intensities) as well as under forest canopy (control I), open nursery condition (control II). The experiment was carried out at the tree nursery site of the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure and lasted for eighteen weeks.

Treculia africana fruits were collected from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho hills, Ibadan. Both germination and early growth characteristics (total height, collar diameter, number of leaves and biomass production) of the seedlings were monitored. Higher value of plant height was recorded under 40% and 60% light intensities while seedlings grown under higher light intensities (open nursery condition and 100% light intensity) showed higher values in both collar diameter and number of leaves. The results also indicated that T. africana seedlings Planted under high light environment (open nursery condition and 100% light intensity) had more biomass accumulated than those recorded under low light environment (40% and 60% light intensities).

Faster growth in stem height may be achieved by subjecting T. africana seedlings to low light environment, but will result to spindle and fragile stem, due to their low collar diameter. Collar diameter, number of leaves and biomass accumulation will be higher for T. africana seedlings under higher light intensities (open nursery condition and 100% light intensity), with shorter but more stable and less fragile stem. As a result of this, it has come to light that better T. africana would be produced under high light environment. Domestication and cultivation of T. africana will be enhanced using information from this study.

Table of Contents

• Abstract
• Certification
• Dedication
• Acknowledgement
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• List of Plates

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

• 1.1 General
• 1.2 Statement of Problem
• 1.3 Objectives
• 1.4 Justification
• 1.5 Scope of Study

Chapter Two

2.0 Literature Review

• 2.1 Description of Treculia Africana
• 2.2 Ecology and distribution
• 2.2.1 Habitat and Distribution
• 2.3 Propagation and management
• 2.3.1 Propagation by Seeds
• 2.3.2 Stem Cuttings
• 2.3.3 Coppicing
• 2.4 Functional uses
• 2.4.1 Products
• 2.4.2 Services
• 2.5 Conservation of forest genetic resources
• 2.6 Opportunities for commercial development of edible forest species
• 2.7 seed germination and tree growth
• 2.7.1 Requirements For Seed Germination
• 2.8 Factors Affecting Survival and Early Growth of Seedlings
• 2.9 Effects Light Intensities on Seed Germination and Early Growth of Seedlings

Chapter Three

3.0 Methodology

• 3.1 Experimental site
• 3.2 Fruit collection
• 3.3 Seed extraction/Processing
• 3.4 Experimental Procedure
• 3.5 Biomass Estimation
• 3.6 Experimental Design
• 3.7 Statistical Analysis

Chapter Four

4.0 Result and Discussion

• 4.1 Results
• 4.1.1 Germination Rate
• 4.1.2 Seedlings growth characteristics
• 4.1.2.1 Mean Height
• 4.1.2.2 Mean Colar Diameter
• 4.1.2.3 Mean Number of leaves
• 4.1.5 Biomass Estimation
• 4.1.5.1 Leaf Biomass
• 4.1.5.2 Stem Biomass
• 4.1.5.3 Root Dry Weight
• 4.2 Discussion

Chapter Five

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

• 5.1 Conclusion
• 5.2 Recommendation
• References
• Appendices

List of Tables

• Table 1: The results of analysis of variance for the effect of light intensities on cumulative germination of Treculiaafricana seeds
• Table 2: ANOVA results for the effect of light intensities on height, collar diameter and Leave growth of T. africana seedlings
• Table 3: Summary of biomass production for T. Africana seedlings subjected to different light intensity treatments
• Table 4: Results of ANOVA for the effect of light intensity on biomass production for T. africana seedlings
• Table 5: Table showing total biomass estimation for three (3) month
• Table 6: One Seedling Studied For Three Consecutive Months
• Table 7: Table showing effect of Different Light intensities on Number of leaves of  Treculiaafricanamotitored for three month
• Table 8: Table showing effect of Different Light intensities on Colar diameter of Treculiaafricanamotitored for three month

List of Figures

• Figure 1: The various stages of seed germination
• Figure 2: Cummulative germination (%) of Treculiaafricana seeds sown under  different light intensities.
• Figure 3: Effect of different light intensities on height growth of Treculiaafricana seedlings
• Figure 4: Effect of different light intensities on Collar diameter growth of Treculia africanaseedlings
• Figure 5: Effect of Different Light intensities on Number of Leaves of Treculia Africana
• Figure 6: Effect of different light intensities on leaf biomass production for Treculia africanaseedlings
• Figure 7: Effect of Different Light intensities on Dry Stem weight of Treculia africana
• Figure 8: Effect of different light intensities on root biomass accumulation of Treculiaafricanaseedlings
• Figure 9: Effect of Different Light intensities on Height of Treculiaafricana motitored for three month
• Figure 10: Effect of Different Light intensities on Number of leaves of Treculia africanamotitored for three month
• Figure 11: Effect of Different Light intensities on Colar diameter of Treculiaafricana motitored for three month

List of Plates

• Plate 1(a): processing of T. africana seeds (1b): processed T. africana seeds
• Plate 2: Preparation of seedlings for biomass estimation
• Plate 3: Sectioning of seedling for biomass estimation
• Plate 4: Measurement of seedling components

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction

1.1 General

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are wild plant and animal products harvested from forests, such as wild fruits, vegetables, nuts, edible roots, honey, palm leaves, medicinal plants, poisons and bush meat. They are all non-timber resources that are extractable from forests, which have economic, cultural and social values and are utilisable in households (FAO, 1990). NTFPs add to peoples’ livelihood security, especially the rural dwellers who depend on them. Non-timber forest products (NTFP) are also considered as any commodity obtained from the forest that does not necessitate harvesting trees. It includes game animals, fur-bearers, nuts and seeds, berries, mushrooms, oils, foliage, medicinal plants, peat, fuelwood, forage, etc (Emery et al, 2001).

Millions of people – especially those living in rural areas in developing countries – collect these products daily, and many regard selling them as a means of earning a living (Tinde van Andel, 2006).

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) were long considered as minor forest resources. Economic studies of forest management generally ignored the subsistence these resources provide local populations. Only recently has NTFPs attracted the attention of researchers, particularly those concerned with tropical forests (Lescuyer, 1996). These studies have confirmed that the forest ecosystem generates other resources which also have economic values apart from the well know timber that are popularly harvested (Karsenty and Maîtres, 1995).

For centuries, humans around the world have relied on products derived from forest species for their survival and well-being. NTFPs harvesting and utilisation remains widespread throughout the world. People from diverse income levels, age groups, and cultural backgrounds harvest NTFPs for household subsistence, maintaining cultural and family traditions, obtaining spiritual fulfilment, maintaining physical and emotional well-being, scientific learning, and earning income. NTFPs serve as raw materials for industries ranging from large-scale floral greens suppliers and pharmaceutical companies to micro-enterprises centered around basket-making, woodcarving, medicinal plant harvesting and processing, and a variety of other activities.

Estimating the contribution of NTFPs to national or regional economies is difficult due to the lack of broad-based systems for tracking the combined value of the hundreds of products that make up the various NTFP industries.

In tropical forests, NTFPs can be an important source of income that can supplement farming or other activities. A value analysis of Amazonian rainforest in Peru found that exploitation of NTFPs could actually yield higher net revenues per hectare than timber harvest of the same area, while still conserving vital ecological services. Their economic, cultural, and ecological value when considered in aggregate makes managing for NTFPs an important component of sustainable forest management and the conservation of biological and cultural diversity (Encarta, 2011).

Treculiaafricana (African breadfruit, African boxwood or Wild jackfruit) belongs to the mono specific genus TreculiaDecne. Ex Trec which is one of the fifteen genera of plants belonging to the tribeArtocarpeae in the Mulberry family (Moraceae) (Keay, 1989). This species is largely cultivated within the rainforest belt of West, Central and East Africa (Keay, 1989). It is an evergreen forest fruit tree species (Onyekwelu and Stimm, 2008). The plant produces large, usually round and compound fruits covered with rough pointed outgrowths (Keay, 1989; Onyekwelu and Stimm, 2008).

Treculiaafricanahas very large simple and alternate leaves. The leaves, which are about 30 (max. 50) x 14 (max 20) cm in dimension, are dark green in colour. The leaves are smooth above with tough, paler below with some hiars on the 10-18 pairs of clear veins with a pointed tip (Rohwer, 1993; Orwa et al 2009). Treculiaafricana has compound, rounded, very large fruits, on the trunk or main branches, containing many orange seeds, about 1 cm, buried in spongy pulp of the fruit. The outer surface is covered with rough pointed outgrowths. The fruit attains 40 cm in diameter and weighs 8-14 kg (Orwa et al 2009).

Based on detailed field observations, 3 varieties have been recognized, which are: T. africana var. africana, T. africana var. inversa and T. africana var. Mollis (Chris Chinaka, 1998). Their taxonomic differences are based mainly on the size of the fruit head (infructence) and the hairiness of branchlets and leaves. There is a striking variation in the number of fruit heads produced by trees belonging to T. african var. africana (with large fruit heads) and T. African var.inversa (with small fruit heads). The former is clearly superior in the weight of seeds produced while the latter produces more fruit and also produces twice as many branches (Nwokolo, 1987; Omobuwajo et al., 1999; Orwa et al 2009).

Treculiaafricanaand other forest food plants like Pentachlethramacrophylla (oil bean seed), Dacryodesedulis are of high nutritional value which needs to be introduced or added to our food materials consumed (Edet et al., 1985; Nwokolo, 1987). The importance attached to them is due to the fact that many of them are usually available at strategic period of the year when annual crops that are difficult to store are unavailable or scarce (Okafor, 1978).

Despite the socio-economic importance of Treculiaafricana to a very large population of the people of southern Nigeria, it is still a protected crop and a semi domesticated species. Increase in human population and agricultural practices have put pressure on the forest thereby depleting some genetic resources, Treculiaafricana being a good example. To prevent total loss or extinction of important forest food tree species, especially those that are endangered, they must be cultivated more intensely (Baiyeri, 2003; Ugwunze, 2003).

While seed germination and plant growth are regulated internally, they are greatly influenced by external conditions such as the intensity and duration of light and temperature. Aside from its effect through photosynthesis, light influences the growth of individual organs or of the entire plant in less direct ways. The most striking effect can be seen between a plant grown in normal light and the same kind of plant grown in partial darkness or total darkness. The plant grown in the partial dark or total dark will have a tall and spindling stem. The leaves fail to expand, and both leaves and stem, lacking chlorophyll, are pale yellow. Such a plant is said to be etiolated (Dennis Holley, 2009)

Both the intensity and duration (length) of light may have different and characteristic effects upon plant growth and development. It has been found that the length of the daylight period may have a striking effect upon vegetative growth and reproductive activities of plants. The reaction of plants in relation to the length of the day is called photoperiodism(Dennis Holley, 2009)

This study is carried out to investigate how Treculiaafricanaseeds and seedlings respond to various light intensities and to also monitor the early growth characteristics and habits of the seedlings of the species under three different light intensities using three screen houses, which are compared with the performance of seeds and seedlings of the species sown and planted under open nursery condition as well as under forest canopy.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Despite the economic, nutritional, cultural and social importance of Treculiaafricana, especially to rural dwellers that depend on them, ithas been greatly neglected, especially with respect to their regeneration. The yield of current crop of trees is decreasing due to old age and the fact that it has been harvested for decades. Thus, if the current practice of allowing T. africana to grow in the wild is allowed to continue without deliberate silvicultural interventions, the probability of obtaining its valued products on a sustained basis will be very low. Due to lack of care and old age, a lot of the trees of the species have died or are in the process of doing so, thus the species is classified among the endangered tree species in Nigeria (FORMECU, 1999), with a high possibility of going into extinction in the near future except something is done to increase its population. Allowing the species to go into extinction will endanger the livelihood of millions of rural dwellers in Nigeria andreduce the rich biological diversity of the ecosystem. Artificial regeneration and subsequent improvement (domestication) appears to be a very viable option of saving the species from extinction and ensuring that its products are supplied on sustained basis. The need to rapidly domesticate tropical forest food tree species has been stressed and is now one of the three pillars of the International Centre for Agroforestry Research (ICRAF) program (Leakey and Simons, 1998).

Seed germination and early growth of forest seedlings is affected by some factors such as light intensity, air, temperature, water, soil condition, etc. Except these factors or their combinations are provided at the right time and in good quantity, seed germination and growth of seedlings may be adversely affected. Till date, research work on the effect of light intensity of the germination of T. africana seeds and the early growth of its seedlings is scanty, which is the focus of this study.

1.3 Objectives

The general objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different light intensities on seed germination and early growth rate of Treculiaafricanaseedlings.

The specific objectives are:

1. To investigate the germination potential of Treculiaafricana seeds under different light intensities.
2. To assess the influence of light intensity on survival and early growth performance of Treculiaafricanaseedlings.

1.4 Justification

Research on domestication of forest food tree species is still at a preliminary stage. Specifically, efforts on domestication of T. africana only covers seed storage and germination, vegetative propagation, germplasm collection, priority setting exercise, integration into agroforestry, economic and nutritional importance, selection of multiple traits for potential cultivars, (Okafor, 1991; Leakey and Simons, 1998; Enibe, 2003; Leakey et al., 2003; Kumar and Nair, 2004; Onyekwelu and Fayose, 2007; Onyekwelu and Stimm, 2008). Till date no known work on the effect of different light intensities on seed germination and early growth rate of T. africana seedlings has been carried out, though it has been established that light intensity affects seed dormancy breakage, seed germination, early growth performance, etc of seedlings. This underscores the need for a study that will investigate the effect of various light intensities on th egermination and early growth rate of T. africanaseedlings, which is the focus of this study. It is believed that this will aid the selection of the most appropriate light intensity that will facilitate the highest and regular seed germination as well as the fastest growth rate. In this study, nursery experiment with the seeds of T. africana will then be conducted to investigate the germination and early growth characteristics of the seedlings of the species under three different light intensities using three screen houses.

1.5 Scope of Study

The research work was carried out at the nursery site of the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. Treculiaafricana fruit was obtained from Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria from which the seeds were extracted. Four hundred (400) seeds of Treculiaafricana were sown in each of the three screen houses which allows 40%, 60% and 100% light intensities. Also, 400 seeds were sown in open nursery condition (i.e. outside the screen house) as well as under forest canopy, which served as controls 1 & 2, respectively. Seed germination as well as early growth characteristics of the seedlings, such as survival, collar diameter, height, root length, number of leaves and biomass. were monitored for Eighteen weeks.

Chapter Five

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Conclusion

At the conclusion of the study, it was revealed that raising Treculiaafricana seeds under different light intensities further improves its growth characteristics as Treculiaafricana seedlings planted under high light intensities i.e open nursery condition and 100% light intensity enhanced seedlings growth characteristics such as collar diameter (Fig. 4)and number of leaves (Fig. 5) while low light intensities i.e 40% and 60% enhanced growth characteristics such as heights (Fig. 3).

High light environment such as Open forest canopy and 100% light intensity enhances biomass estimation than those under low light environment (Fig. 6,7& 8). Domestication and proper cultivation of Treculiaafricanacan be embarked upon base on the information given in this study. Since, an increase in light intensities led to increase in biomass estimation for Treculia africana seedlings (Table 3), yield and production may be enhanced by cultivating the seedlings under high light intensity.

5.2 Recommendation

Non timber forest product such as T. africana’s domestication and conservation is of great significance and value to sustainable development of the resources. For Continuous availability of T. africanato be sustained, tested scientific on-field knowledge must be employed in improving seed germination and growth of T. africana.

Since the results of this study indicated that seedlings of T. africana grows better under high light intensity i.e Open forest canopy and 100% light intensity, it is therefore recommended that seedlings of T. africana be raised in high light intensity environment so as to obtain Maximum productivity.

It is strongly noted that, more research work should be carried out to knowT. africana seedling’s performance beyond three months as regard growth characteristics such as height growth, collar diameter and biomass estimation as well as during other stages of plant development.

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