Assessment of Seed Germination and Organic Manure Application on the Early Growth of Eucalyptus camaldulensis L. Seedlings

11 June, 2026

Background and Objective: Human population explosion, non-sustainable agriculture and tree logging destroy natural forests, prompting reforestation with fast growing tree species using artificial cultural methods. This study investigated the effects of cow dung and poultry droppings on the germination and early growth of Eucalyptus camaldulensis L. seedlings at the Forestry Nursery in Jos, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Using the randomized complete block design (RCBD), laboratory-tested soil samples, poultry droppings, poultry droppings plus cow dung, cow dung alone and a control (top soil only) were used in various combinations to assess the growth parameters of E. camaldulensis (seedling emergence, plant height, number of leaves, length of leaves and stem diameter) for 12 weeks. Percentages, means and relative frequency distribution were used to analyze collected data. Results: Results indicated that poultry droppings had the highest nitrogen concentration (3.2%), cow dung (2.9%) and top soil (0.070%). Treatments with poultry droppings gave the greatest plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter (girth) followed by the mixture of poultry droppings and cow dung while top soil (control) recorded the lowest growth. Mixture of poultry droppings and cow dung produced the greatest leaf length, compared to poultry droppings, cow dung and the control, respectively. Conclusion: Thus poultry dropping is recommended as the most suitable organic manure for nurturing juvenile seedlings of E. camaldulensis in the nursery for plantation purposes.

Impact of Cultural Belief on the Preservation of Agunabani Sacred Forest in Okposi, Nigeria

11 June, 2026

Background and Objective: Sacred and/or "evil" forests are ecologically unique, rich in biodiversity and important for conservation on varying scale of landscape, community and species. However, cultural beliefs, indigenous knowledge, myths, traditional taboos (laws) and sanctions have been successfully used to preserve some sacred groves, forests and animals around the world. Information on most traditionally protected forests in Nigeria such as "Agunabani" is yet to be reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of cultural beliefs on the preservation of Agunabani sacred forest in Okposi, Nigeria, with a view to providing a baseline information and outlining the challenges facing existence of the forest. Materials and Methods: Random sampling technique was adopted; 120 questionnaires were randomly distributed to dwellers within 0-3 km from the buffer of the forest. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentages and Kruskal Wallis Test of independence to examine the effect of some socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents on the forest preservation. Results: About 94.2% of the respondents confirmed that among the taboos supporting existence of the Agunabani sacred forest was prohibition of hunting and cutting of trees within the forest. About 85% support the continuous existence and 97.5% were Christians. The result of the Kruskal Wallis test revealed that foreign religion (Christianity) had significant effect (p<0.05) on the respondents’ indigenous knowledge. Conclusion: It can be concluded that cultural practices of the community still help in the preservation of Agunabani sacred forest not withstanding the challenges of foreign religion. Hence, legal reservation of the forest and detailed conservation research is recommended.

Research Journal of Forestry - Current Issue

Assessment of Seed Germination and Organic Manure Application on the Early Growth of Eucalyptus camaldulensis L. Seedlings

Impact of Cultural Belief on the Preservation of Agunabani Sacred Forest in Okposi, Nigeria