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Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

A thesis submitted to the School of Research and Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Seed Science and Technology)

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Main Author: Amponsah, James Oppong
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: 2016
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access_status_str Open Access
author Amponsah, James Oppong
author_browse Amponsah, James Oppong
author_facet Amponsah, James Oppong
author_sort Amponsah, James Oppong
collection Thesis
description A thesis submitted to the School of Research and Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Seed Science and Technology)
format Thesis
id oai:ir.knust.edu.gh:123456789/9147
institution KNUST (Ghana)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:31:18.486Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from KNUSTSpace — Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (Ghana)
publishDate 2016
publishDateRange 2016
publishDateSort 2016
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source_str KNUSTSpace — Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (Ghana)
spelling oai:ir.knust.edu.gh:123456789/9147 Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana Amponsah, James Oppong A thesis submitted to the School of Research and Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy (Seed Science and Technology) Understanding the phenology and seed germination improvement techniques of native forest tree species is crucial for their conservation and the restoration of degraded forest areas. This study examined the reproductive phenology and the effect of four chemical and physical seed germination improvement techniques on two indigenous forest tree species namely; Terminalia superba and Terminalia ivorensis. The reproductive phenology was observed and documented over 24 months. The effects of chemical and physical scarification on seed germination were also evaluated under ambient temperatures for 36 days. Period and intensity of Leaf flushing (LF), Flowering (FL), Fruiting (FR) and Seed dispersal (SD) pheno-phases of 115 selected tree stands of the species were monitored and scored using the widely adopted BBCH system of coding plant phenology. Leaf flushing (LF) in both species coincides with the onset of the wet season in April-July, and it is followed by flowering in August-September. Fruiting and seed dispersal pheno-phases occurred between October-February. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.7325, P < 0.05) was found between the highest Leaf flushing (LF) percentage and average monthly rainfall (RA). The strongest negative correlation was established between percentage of Fruiting (FR) individuals in both species and mean monthly maximum temperatures (TEmx). Chemical scarification (soaking in H2SO4 2g/l for 20 minutes prior to sowing) improved seed germination in both species by more than 50 percent. Results indicate that T. superba and T. ivorensis undergo a consistent and synchronized annual reproductive cycle dependent on temperature and rainfall. The results further suggest that large scale climatic fluctuation can affect the reproductive and vegetative phenology of the trees. KNUST 2016-10-06T15:54:17Z 2023-04-21T06:40:51Z 2016-10-06T15:54:17Z 2023-04-21T06:40:51Z APRIL, 2016 Thesis https://ir.knust.edu.gh/handle/123456789/9147 en application/pdf
spellingShingle Amponsah, James Oppong
Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana
title Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana
title_full Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana
title_fullStr Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana
title_short Phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana
title_sort phenology and seed germination improvement of two important tree species in the moist semi deciduous forest zone of ghana
url https://ir.knust.edu.gh/handle/123456789/9147
work_keys_str_mv AT amponsahjamesoppong phenologyandseedgerminationimprovementoftwoimportanttreespeciesinthemoistsemideciduousforestzoneofghana