Seed germination, growth and development of some local trees species in the forest zone

Studies were conducted on eight indigenous multipurpose trees species: Alstonia boonei. De Wild, Ceiba pentandra (L.)Gearth., Cordia platythyrsa Bark., Milicia excelsa (Welw) c.c Berg., Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw) Warb., Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex Pax., Terminalia superba. Engl. et Diels et Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum. The objective of the study was to evaluate germination capacity, development and growth rate of the seedlings of the above mentionned species. The results showed that manual scarification of seeds was superior to the use of the other methods. For the initial growth, Ceiba pentandra and Ricinodendron heudelotii had the fastest growth. All the species developped tap root system.