ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to investigate the effects of varying light regimes on germination and
seedling growth of Ceiba pentandra seedlings. The study was carried out in the nursery and
arboretum of the Department of Forest Resources and Wildlife Management.
Under different light regimes, (open shade, partial shade, full shade) 150 seeds were planted in
each regime which gave a total of 450 seeds planted throughout. In each regime, 150 seeds
where planted in poly pots and the 150 poly pots were divided into three treatments and named
Treatment 1, Treatment 2 and Treatment 3 making 50 seeds per treatment. The same was done
for the other regimes which gave a total of 9 treatments throughout the three regimes. After
germination, 10 germinated seedlings were selected from each treatment throughout the three
regimes for measurements which gave a total of 90 seedlings and data was taken. Germination of
the seeds began after 5 days of planting. Growth parameters like Stem height, Collar girth, and
number of leaves were investigated after germination. The photometer was used to determine the
amount of light available under each light regime. The experimental design used was the
Complete Randomised Design (CRD) and data was analysed using the Analysis of variance
(ANOVA). Means were separated using Duncan multiple range At 5% level of probability.
At the end of the study Ceiba pentandra under open shade regime had the highest growth of
seedlings with an average Seedling height of 23.13cm, Collar girth of 4mm and an average
number of leaves of 9.27. Followed by Partial shade with seedling height of 18.60cm, Collar
girth of 3.24mm and average number of leaves of 7.83. The seedlings under full shade had the
least seedling height with a short stem of 11.63cm, collar girth of 1.90mm and number of leaves
of 4.13. The species had the germination and growth parameters highest in the open shade than
xiiin the partial and full shade, and results showed significant difference in germination, seedling
height, collar girth and number of leaves across all the three different lights regimes.
Conclusively, it is therefore recommended that open shade is the best condition for the growth of
Ceiba pentandra
