IMPACT OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS AND EUCALYPTUS TORELIANA LEAF RESIDUES AND EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS ROOT RESIDUE ON SEED GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF TWO NATIVE TREE SPECIES IN THE SUDAN SAVANNAH BAUCHI NIGERIA

Abstract

 The purpose of this study was to examine the effects on two native tree species, Acacia senegalensis (Gum Arabic tree) and Khaya senegalensise (African mahogany), of Bauchi, Nigeria, of the growth-inhibiting or -stimulating properties of leaf residues derived from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus toreliana; and root residue derived from Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Fresh leaves and root fragment were taken from the Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalypyus toreliana tree population that was thriving within the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi Campus. The leaves and root fragments were collected and dried separately under shade grinded weigh 50g, 80g and 120g and each was mixed thoroughly with 16kg of barren soil, 1kg polythene fots were filled and stalked this was repeated for all the two species. After watering the bed for a week the seeds of the Khaya senegalensis and Acacia Senegal were sawn. Khaya senegalensis only germinated in control polypots and in pot containing 80g concentration. Acacia Senegal responded in various ways to all treatments. Control experiment for both E. camaldulensis and E. toreliana are the same but other treatments differ either significantly or insignificantly. Therefore, both root and leaves residue of E. camaldulensis and E. toreliana indicated significant impact on germination and growth of both A. senegal and K. senegalensis. A further research is required to to further elucidate the effect of these residues on germination and early growth of these two native tree species.