E.M ISIKHUEMEN

Study on the evaluation of germination and growth performance of juveneles of five indigenous forest tree species in the rainforest ecosystem was conducted at a nursery located at Ekosodin community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Matured fruits of fives indigenous forest tree species were collected under their mother tree and their seeds extracted. 120 polypots filled with topsoil and stacked in 25 plots with 5 observations each was used. 25 seeds per species were randomly assigned to plots and sown at 1cm depth. Data were collected in three stages: germination, seedling pre-establishment and establishment stages. Germination data was analyzed using descriptive statistics one-way ANOVA in a CRD design was used to test the
significance of the species growth and development and means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Result shows Hildergadia bacteri and Terminalia ivorensis had the highest number of germinant (76%) while all species exhibited epigeal germination. Data analysis (ANOVA) shows significant difference between species in all parameter measured for seedling
pre-establishment stage (P < 0.05).