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An investigation was carried out to evaluate early growth of Parkia biglobosa under different levels of organic manures in the nursery in order to promote its sustained utilization and regeneration. Seeds were sown in the germination bed at the nursery of Department of Forestry and Fisheries of KSUST, Aliero which took average of three days to germinate and at two weeks after germination, seedlings were transplanted into polythene bags (16 × 14 × 12 cm) filled with cow dung, poultry manure and farmyard manure at 40, 70 and 100 g kg–1 of top soil and top soil only was used as control. The experiment was laid in a completely randomized design with nine replications. Data collection commenced two weeks after transplanting and was done fortnightly for 12 weeks on stem height, collar diameter and number of leaves. Biomass was assessed at twelve weeks and the data were analysed using analysis of variance and follow up tests were conducted with Duncan Multiple Range Tests. The result revealed significant effect on all the variables (stem height, collar diameter and number of leaves) assessed, where poultry droppings at 40 g kg–1 and cow dung at 100 g kg–1 gave the highest growth and cow dung was recommended.

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Water stress has a strong influence on the physiological functions of tree crops which adversely affects the growth and yield of tree plants. Drought and soil fertility are the major factors that influence seedling survival and growth in arid areas, thus it is of paramount importance to establish optimum water requirements for tree seedlings in order to promote growth. In line with this, an investigation was carried out to assess early growth behaviours of Balanites aegyptiaca when exposed to varied watering intervals in the screen house. Two weeks old seedlings in polythene bag (2kg) containing the standard potting mixture as growing media were used for the experiments. Seedlings were exposed to 4 different watering intervals (once daily, once after 3, 7 and 14 days) and 200ml of water was administered per each seedling based on the watering frequency for 12 weeks. Ten seedlings were allocated per watering frequency and replicated 5 times in a completely randomized design. Data was collected on stem height, collar diameter, number of leaves and seedlings dry weights. Net assimilation rate, relative growth rate and absolute growth rate were also calculated. Data was analysed with analysis of variance and the significantly different means were separated with Duncan Multiple Range Tests (p<0.05). The result revealed a significant effect of water stress on seedlings growth of B. aegyptiaca where seedlings that received water once daily and once after 3 days produced highest growth in all the variables measured. Administering 200ml of water per seedling once after 3 days is therefore recommended for the improved growth of B. aegyptiaca in the nursery.

This study aims to develop site index for Teak (Tectona grandis) in Kanya Forest Plantation, Nigeria. Site index is defined as the total height of the dominant or co-dominant trees at an arbitrary index age, it is a method used for quantifying site quality for pure even-aged stands which is essential in growth and yield modelling. The data used in this study were obtained from six different age classes. Five sample plots each were selected across all age classes in which a total of 712 trees were measured, variables measured include total height, diameter at the base, middle, top, and diameter at the breast height were taken from 30 temporary sampled plots of 25x25m approximately from the centre, 180 dominant trees were selected from 712 trees. Basal area and volume of sampled trees were computed. Yield values obtained from the dominant trees are (B = 249.312 m3/ha, D = 196.128 m3/ha, F = 134.976 m3/ha, C = 119.328 m3/ha, E = 100.320 m3/ ha and A = 86.976 m3/ha). The results showed that B was the best and A was the poorest. Seventeen models were generated and paired sampled t-test was used for model validation, comparing the actual and predicted height. Two out of 17 were rejected (significant P<0.05). The first model Hd=12075.346-354.809(Age)+3.448(Age)2-135193.126(1/Age) is the recommended height estimation of Teak in Kanya Forest plantation for its best performance.