EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TREE CANOPIES ON THE EARLYGROWTH OF Jatropha curcas (LINN) SEEDLINGS

The study was carried out to investigate the effect of tree canopy on the growth of Jatropha curcas seedlings. Total of fifteen seedlings each were placed under each of the tree canopy used, making 45 treatments altogether. There were tree treatments namely: (T1) seedlings placed under Gmelina plantation stand, (T2) seedlings placed under Bambussa vulgaris stand and (T3) seedlings placed in an open space. The growth parameters of Jatropha curcas seedlings observed were stem height, stem diameter, and leaf count. The experiment covers twelve (12) weeks with 8 weeks of thorough observation, measurement and recording of data. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data obtained at 5% level of significance. Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate the means. The result of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was no significant difference among the treatments with respect to the parameter assessed at 5% level of probability. Further analysis using Duncan multiple range test reveal a significance difference among the treatment with respect to the stem diameter at 5% level of probability. Also, seedlings placed under Bambussa vulgaris canopy gave the best performance in term of leaf count and stem diameter while T3- seedling placed in the open space gave the best performance in term of stem height. Finally, the study recommends that for proper raising of Jatropha curcas seedlings, seedlings should be raised under Bambussa vulgaris canopy as this will provide a modulating effect on the micro climatic condition under which the growth condition of jatropha curcas seedlings can be modified and improved naturally.