Abstract
A study was carried out to investigate the early growth and establishment of <i>Khaya senegalensis</i> in three different locations (Markurdi, Benue State, Lafia, Nasarawa state and Kwali, Abuja) within the middle belt zone of Nigeria in October 2014 with the aim to mass raising mahogany at economic scale. The study was carried out at the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Ecotourism Nursery, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Shabu- Lafia Campus. The seeds were separately broadcasted on three different nursery beds and watered effectively. The parameter assessed include Plant height, Leaf count, Leave area and Collar girth. Data was analyzed using Analysis of variance and significant mean differences were separated at p>0.05. The results of parameter assessed on the basis of locations shows that seedlings from Makurdi had the highest mean height of 5.33±2.96cm at 14 weeks after transplanting, closely followed by seedling from Kwali with mean height of 5.33±2.43cm while seedling from Lafia had the least mean height of 5.29±2.46cm. The result of leave count revealed that seedling from Lafia had the highest leave count of 5.28±2.84 followed by Kwali with 5.25±3.00 while leave count of seedlings from Makurdi had the least leave count of 5.18±3.0. The result of growth variables revealed that, <i>Khaya senegalensis</i> saplings intercropped with cassava at Agroforestry plantation Plot had attained 2.415±0.45m average height, 11.12±3.5cm basal girth, 3.95±1.43cm dbh, leaf count of 151.37±18.84 within a period of 36months of planting on the field. The ANOVA result shows that there was significant difference in the leave count, leave length, collar girth and plant height from the three locations at p>0.05, result of correlation analysis revealed that there was a significant correlation between leaf count and plant height (0.78**), collar girth and leaf count (0.67**). While the result of the regression analysis on the effects of growth variables on plant height had coefficient of R<sup>2</sup> = 0.67, meaning that the assessed growth variables had about 67.4% effects on plant height of <i>Khaya senegalensis</i> seeds collected from different locations. The study reveals that seeds from different source demonstrated different growth performance, as it was observed that seeds obtained from Lafia performed better than the other two locations and as a result recommended for mass raising of <i>Khaya senegalens</i> within the middle-belt zone of Nigeria.
Highlights
The result of weekly performance shows that, week 14 had the highest mean value of plant height with 8.57±1.37cm followed by week 10 with mean value of 5.75±0.73cm while week 4 had the least height value of 2.68±0.39cm this shows that the higher the period the higher the increase in height of Khaya senegalensis
The result of weekly performance shows that, week 14 had the highest mean value of plant height with 8.57±1.37cm followed by week 10 with mean value of 5.75±0.73cm while week 4 had the least height value of 2.68±0.39cm this shows that the higher the duration of data collection the higher the increase in height of Khaya senegalensis for a giving period
There is no doubt that Khaya senegalensis is predominately strives well in savanna wood land of guinea zone including transition types of the forest zone as it is the most suitable indigenous species for timber production in BurkinaFaso, growing up to 35m in height and 1.5m in diameter on fertile soil with 16-18cm clean bole which has over the years been replicated in Nigeria successfully
Summary
The wood has attractive colour, mostly straight grain orientation and a high luster. It is used for Zaccheus Tunde Egbewole et al.: Early Germination, Growth and Establishment of Khaya senegalensis (DESR.) A. Juss in Middle-Belt Zone of Nigeria cabinetwork, ship building and in the production of decorative veneers Its natural regeneration is poor, especially with the problem of mahogany shoot borer (Moore) attack that usually prevents the success of plantations within the native area in West Africa [1]. The importance of forests and natural resources is indisputable, when considering the developing countries especially areas situated in the arid and semi-arid climatic zones. Khaya senegalensis locally known as Mahogany is one of the most economically important forest tree species. The species has high traditional medicinal values and used as an ornamental tree for gardens and avenues
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