Effects of Seeds Source and Manure Type on Germination and Early Growth of Khaya senegalensis (Desr) A. Juss Seedlings in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Khaya senegalensis (Desr) A. Juss is a perennial deciduous tree which has many uses in developing nations. The population of the tree is rapidly declining due to no conservation efforts to prevent the species from endanger and extinction. At the moment there is dearth information on manure types required to raise healthy seedlings of the tree species in the study area. To conserve this genetic resource, germination and early growth rate experiment was carried out using seeds collected from three locations (eco-zones) (Alkaleri, Bauchi and Toro). Matured seeds of K. senegalensis were collected from mother tree stand in the three locations. One hundred and fifty seeds (150) from each location were sown in perforated polythene pots at an average depth of 2-3 cm. After germination i.e. 30 days after planting, different manures were applied to the seedlings. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three treatments, namely: poultry dung, cow dung and NPK manures; the experiment was replicated four times. Data on seeds germination variables of interest (seedling heights, number of leaves, collar diameter, leaf area, leaf width, leaf length and fresh weights) were measured. Seedlings height were measured using meter rule, collar diameters using a venier caliper, numbers of leaves were determined by manual counting the number of leaves on the seedlings, leaf area was measured by tracing leaves of seedling on a graduated graph sheet. Data collected on seed germination and early growth rate were subjected to descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (ANOVA). Where significant differences occurred, Tukey test was used to separate the means. Based on this finding, germination of seeds commenced after 10 to 14 days. Locations and manure types had significant effects on the mean heights, number of leaves, collar diameter, leaf area, leaf width, length and fresh weights of K. senegalensis seedlings in the study area. Thus, for species conservation and genetic heredity, seeds sourced from Bauchi eco-zone was the best with poultry manure as the best performed manure for the raising of K. senegalensis seedlings in the study area.