Performance of terminalia superba and triplochiton scleroxylon seedlings under different forest canopy

Abstract

This paper presents the performance of Terminalia superba and Triplochiton scleroxylon seedlings in enrichment planting in different forest canopy types or disturbance types (Skid trail, landing bay and undisturbed area). An area of 0.05ha (50m x 10m) plot each was purposively selected and demarcated in landing bay, skid trails and undisturbed area in Asenanyo Forest Reserve in the Nkawie Forest District. Complete Randomized Design (CRD) was used to lay different 50m x 10m plots in each disturbance area. There were five replicates each of Terminalia superba and Triplochiton scleroxylon seedlings planted at 6m by 6m planting distance in each canopy type. Soil samples were randomly collected at each of the three different forest disturbance sites at a depth of 0–20 cm. The results revealed a 100% survival of Triplochiton scleroxylon whereas that of Terminalia superba was 33%. The mean diameter for Terminalia superba seedlings across the three different forest gap types was 0.59+0.25cm whereas Triplochiton scleroxylon seedlings recorded 0.91+0.48cm. The height of Terminalia superba seedlings was 42.60+9.43cm whiles Triplochiton scleroxylon seedlings was 71.20+26.67cm. The plant condition score across the different canopy types range from 0-5 for Terminalia superba and 2-5 for Triplochiton scleroxylon. The number of leaves ranged from 0-14 for Terminalia superba and 5-15 for Triplochiton scleroxylon. The soil bulk density of the skid trail was significantly (p<0.05) increased by 25.8% whereas the landing bay soil bulk density was significantly (p<0.05) increased by 59.2% compared to the control. The soil porosity of the skid trail soil significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 12.5% but the landing bay soil porosity significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 45.3% relative to the control. The skid trail forest disturbance soil had the moisture content increased by 0.30% whereas the landing bay soil moisture content decreased by 63.2% compared to the control. Generally, the growth performance of Terminalia scleroxylon seedlings in the three selected gap types was better than Terminalia superba.