Variability in seedling growth of seeds of shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gartn.) sourced from nine locations in Nigeria.

摘要

Provenance evaluation is essential in identifying genotypes with superior seedling growth. The seedling performance of nine accessions of Vitellaria paradoxa obtained from Southern Guinea Savanna, Northern Guinea Savanna and the Sudan Savanna of Nigeria were investigated at two contrasting locations - Makurdi and Nsukka - between July 2006 and July 2007. Seedling emergence of the Makurdi trial was monitored while seedling growth at both sites was monitored at monthly intervals from the 6th to 12th month after sowing. Results of analysis of variance showed wide variation in emergence parameters with the Akwanga, Makurdi, Jalingo and Yola seed sources giving significantly higher emergence percentage (E %). Most accessions had emergence index (EI) values of 100 or more with corresponding high emergence rate index (ERI) scores. The main effect of location on seedling growth showed the superior performance of seedlings grown at Makurdi over those grown at Nsukka. There was a significant interaction between location and accession. Generally, while the Akwanga, Kachia and Yola provenances gave better seedling vigour at Makurdi, at Nsukka, it was Akwanga, Kachia and Jalingo suggesting the existence of genotype x environment interaction.