Seed germination, seedling growth and biomass production of eight Central-American multipurpose trees under nursery conditions in Zomba, Malawi

Abstract

Seeds of eight dry-zone multipurpose tree species from Central America were treated using six different treatments before sowing in the nursery. All species achieved high germination percentages within 21 days in the nursery after scarification and boiling-water treatments. Caesalpinia eriostachys, Crescentia alata and Gliricidia sepium also achieved high germination without any treatment, but Caesalpinia velutina and Senna atomaria required the use of sulphuric acid. Once germinated, seedling growth in the nursery varied highly between species, with Gliricidia sepium, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Albizia guachepele showing faster height growth than the rest. On the basis of height growth alone, the remaining five species ( Caesalpinia eriostachys, Caesalpinia velitina, Crescentia alata, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Senna atomaria) would require at least 3 months in the nursery to attain the current recommended 20-cm height for field-planting of nursery stock in southern Africa.