Effect of growth media and shade regimes on performance of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seedlings

Domestication of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.), is imperative to ensure its sustainable utilization. A key issue in domesticating is the knowledge on cultural practices including nursery management. However, much is not known regarding nursery requirements for baobab. The objective of this study therefore, was to assess the effect of shade regimes (partial shade and full sun) and growth media (garden soil and soilless medium) on the performance of baobab seedlings. The data collected included the number of leaves, plant height, stem diameter and chlorophyll content. A two-way ANOVA showed that, seedlings raised in soilless medium placed in the full sun performed best after nine weeks compared with the other treatments. The best seedlings significantly (p < 0.05) developed more leaves (34 pcs) as well as largest stem diameter (10.4 mm) and had higher chlorophyll content (33.2 SPAD value). Raising baobab in soilless medium in full sun resulted in faster growth in height (35 cm), however, it was not significantly better compared to the other treatments. It is suggested that baobab seedlings should be grown in soilless medium made up of poultry manure, cow-dung and sawdust in full sun for better performance.