Iroko et al Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2 (8), pp.386-391, December 2012 ISSN: 2276-7770 Research Paper Manuscript Number:110112198 Comparative studies on Seed Germination and Growth Performances of Irvingia wombolu (Millbr) Seedlings from Different Provenances Iroko, O.A, Asinwa, I.O, Kareem A.A and Kazeem I.F Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, P.M.B, 5054. Jericho, Ibadan Corresponding Author’s Email: asinwaisrael @ yahoo.com, Tel: +2348056953507 Abstract: Provenance variations among the seedlings of Irvingia wombulu from four sources in South-west of Nigeria were studied in the nursery. Matured fruit were collected from the four sources and quantitative character such as Fruit length, breadth, weight, and volume were measured from samples of the fruits. Germination and seedling growth were assessed. The seedlings were assessed fortnightly for total height, collar diameter leaf production and total biomass for twelve weeks. The data were subjected to analysis of variance. Fruits from Owena had the highest value of length (5.3cm); Diameters (3.4cm) and weight (19.3g). The fruit from Ishara source had the lowest values for all the fruit traits measured (4.2cm; 2.9cm; and 15.1gm) for fruit height, diameter, and weight respectively. Percentage germination as well as rate of germination varied among the sources with owena having 80%, Isara 18.7%, Uba 87.5%, and Jaja 84.4%]. Analysis of Variance revealed significant difference among the seedling from the four sources (P< 0.05). Seedling from owena had the highest height of 29.2cm and mean number of leaves of 10.5. The highest diameter 16.10cm was recorded among seedling from Uba. Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) and root/shoot ratios also varied among the sources. The results suggest mass selection of the species for effective genetic improvement. Keywords: Provenance, Variation, Seedlings, Improvement, Irvingia wombulu. Return to Content View Reprint (PDF) (177KB)