Author(s): Umar MR and Gabriel CA

Abstract: Influence of different light intensities on seed germination and early growth rate of Balanites aegyptiaca and Eucalyptus camaldulensis seedlings. Light intensity is also affected by dust particles and atmosphere water vapor, slope of the land, and elevation. The seeds of Balanites aegyptiaca and Eucalyptus camaldulensis species were obtained from the local market in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State. Data was collected for three (3) months under different light intensity ten (10) species each was used for both Balanite and Eucalyptus. Descriptive statistics was used to estimate the mean of the measure. Complete randomized design (CRD) was use to check for the variation in the light intensity. Two way ANOVA was use in the comparism between parameters (Height, Girth and Leaves). The result revealed that highest frequency was obtained in first in leaves with value 38.695 and 9.989 of Girth in first month. Highest frequency was obtained in leaves with 51.212 and lowest in Girth 10.120 in second month while 45.108 frequency was obtained in eleven week and lowest in Girth 5.463 in nine week third month. Which is highly significant between the observed values in three months (p<0.05). Pearson correction was used in the analysis between species and was observed that there is positive correction between height and girth with values of – 0.784 and inversely correlated with – 0.409. Furthermore, height and leaves also has negative correlation of – 0.363 at significant difference under 1-tailed as shown in all the variables (p<0.05). The result shows significant difference for both Balanite under light and shade as well as Eucalyptus under light and shade. It was observed that eucalyptus grows very good and fast under light than Balanite under different light intensity. The influence of light intensity on germination and growth patterns has important implications for establishment and spread of tree plants in response to forest disturbance effect should be intensified on long term due to the accumulation of eucalyptus. Seed germination and early growth of forest seedlings is affected by some factors such as light intensity, air, temperature, water, soil condition.

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