THE EFFECT OF SEED SIZE ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF THREE TROPICAL TREE SPECIES

Abstract

The germination and seedling growth as affected by seed size in three tropical tree species were investigated. These were Terminalia superba, T. ivorensis and Gmelina arborea. Seed size had no significant effect (p = 0.05) on the germination of T. superba and T. ivorensis seeds. Rate of germination was faster in small-sized seed of G. arborea. There was no significant effect of seed size on the growth of 1- to 3-month-old seedlings of T. superba and T. ivorensis. Total dry weights of seedlings of G. arborea raised from large-sized seeds was 2 3 times more than those from small-sized seeds. The relative growth rate of seedlings of G. arborea raised from small-sized seeds was more than those from large-sized seeds . Seedlings of the three tree species had comparatively higher mean leaf area ratio (1AR) and mean relative growth rate (RGR).