Based on the role and function of green manure as soil amendments to improve and maintain the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, this study was carried out to find out the effect of green manure (G. sepium and T. diversifolia leaves) on the growth performance of Parkia biglobosa. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with four treatments replicated eight times. 5 kg of each treatment as well as a combination of both treatments were incorporated solely into the soil on a 2mx1m bed. After two months of decomposing the plant materials, 3 kg of the soil was filled into each polythene pot. Growth parameters were monitored for 16 weeks after planting. Result showed that G. sepium had the highest mean value for plant height at 48.24cm while the control recorded the lowest mean value for plant height at 41.93cm. The highest mean value for number of branchlets was recorded in G. sepium treated soil with 33 branchlets while the control recorded the least number with 28 branchlets. This study revealed that the addition of G. sepium manure can better enhance the growth of P. biglobosa seedlings than T. diversifolia manure in the nursery. G. sepium leaves compost can be used in raising this species in the nursery for the production of vigorous seedlings in replacement of inorganic fertilizers. G. sepium leaves is an organic fertilizer that is readily available which can be collected by the farmers from the tree to raise this species.Keywords: Seedling, Parkia biglobosa, Green manure, Fertilizer, Growth performance

Forest serves as source of timber, fodder, fuel and forest produce to human along with conservation of soil and water, provision of food and shelter to wildlife and also adding to the aesthetic value and recreational need of human. A major injury to nursery seedlings is caused by pests (insects, mites, diseases and weeds) which has detrimental effect on the seedlings during nursery production by reducing plant growth and quality. Plant diseases are caused by insects, fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses and phytoplasmas. However, it is important to know the kind of diseases present in the nursery and the detrimental impact they cause on tree production. Basically, to reduce the risk of pest infestation (insects, mites, weeds, diseases) in the nursery it is important to first of all know the source of diseases in or around the nursery. Seedling production plays an important role in keeping the forest productive, it is therefore important that these disease causing organisms are carefully eradicated from the nursery through proper management strategies. In forest nurseries, different types of diseases such as damping off, root rot, powdery mildew, leaf curl, wilt, canker and rust among others could be found. Therefore, this review emphasizes on the causes and effective ways of managing and eradicating diseases in forest nursery.

The first essential component of social and economic justice is adequate food production. Food plays a vital role in the life of mankind and it keeps the body functioning. Nigeria is a country richly blessed with abundant natural and human resources that if properly utilized can feed its people, yet it is experiencing persistent food crisis both in terms of quantity and quality. Food security is the ability of people to meet their required level of food consumption at all times. Food insecurity has been a major concern in Nigeria where peasant farmers lack the skill and capital to produce large quantity of farm produce that will meet the nation’s need. Agroforestry which combines growing of trees with the production of other crops or animal has been a widely used system for combating food insecurity which also reduces the risk of crop failure during adverse conditions such as prolong drought period and other natural calamities due to climate change. Through agroforestry practices, food production, improved soil fertility, health and increasing economic income of rural people can be properly tackled in the country. Research into agroforestry practices should be properly disseminated to rural farmers so that they can adopt the system. Also, government policies, research institute and other agricultural schemes that has been set up by the government should work towards making farmers adopt and apply agroforestry strategies in the country.

African kino tree (Pterocarpus erinaceus) plants are widely used species in afforestation programs but germination of seed and rate of seedling growth are major drawback. This study was therefore carried out to compare the effect of decomposed organic matter on the seedling growth rate of Pterocarpus erinaceus. The experiment was conducted in the screen house of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria for a period of six months. Seedlings of P. erinaceus were subjected to four treatments. Decomposed kitchen waste (KW), decomposed fruit waste (FrW), decomposed fish waste (FW) and decomposed White leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala (LL)) leaves and control (CN). The experiment was laid out using a Completely Randomized Design. Each treatment was replicated seven times. Results showed that there was significant difference (P≤0.05) among the height of P. erinaceus seedlings subjected to different fertilizer applications. The mean seedlings height ranged from 11.55 to 18.34 cm with the highest mean height from seedlings subjected to LL while seedlings without fertilizer application had the least mean height. There was no significant difference (P≤0.05) among the collar diameter of P. erinaceus seedlings subjected to different fertilizer applications. The mean seedlings collar diameter ranged from 1.27 to 1.94 mm with the highest mean collar diameter from seedlings subjected to FW while seedlings without fertilizer application (CN) had the least mean collar diameter. Results also indicated no significant difference (P≤0.05) among the number of leaves of P. erinaceus seedlings subjected to different fertilizer applications. The mean seedlings number of leaves ranged from 12 to 16 with the highest mean number of leaves from seedlings subjected to LL, KW and FW while seedlings without fertilizer application had the least mean number of leaves. It is recommended that application of decomposed organic matter for proper growth of Pterocarpus erinaceus seedlings should be encouraged and properly disseminated to farmers.

Seeds are highly important part of living things, without which life would not exist. All of our daily necessities are totally dependent on seed and seed stock, like food and fruits, so also is many of the natural resources that we use as consumers such as, timber, cotton, paper, essential\edible oils, all which started their live as seeds. Basically, a seed consists of a tiny underdeveloped plant, the embryo, which is enclosed by a covering called the seed coat. Germination of seed occurs when the embryo grows into a functioning plant. It involves the rejuvenation of the metabolic pathways that lead to growth and the emergence of the radicle (root) and plumule (shoot). For germination to occur, three basic factors must exist, the seed must be viable, dormancy must be controlled and the proper environmental conditions for germination must be available. Dormancy simply means the inability of seeds to germinate even when the necessary environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, oxygen, and light) are favorable for germination. Dormancy is a principal factor restricting the production of crops. Several physical and chemical pretreatments can be applied to the organic material (seeds) to control dormancy. This review discusses the conditions necessary for germination and the fundamental factors necessary for breaking dormancy.