Seasonal Periodicity in the Growth and Development of some Forest Trees in Nigeria: II. Observations on Seedlings

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Abstract
Observations made on 9 species characteristic of the "dry" or "mixed deciduous" forest of Southern Nigeria show that the pattern of annual periodicity of leaf production and vegetative bud dormancy which is observed in mature trees is already established in the 1st year of growth in many species. The variation in the age at which periodicity of leaf production sets in appears to be related to the part of the forest ecotone to which the species is adapted. The onset of dormancy is late in species of the wetter parts and early in those of the drier parts of the forest region. In at least one species, Hildegardia [= Sterculia] barteri, the onset of dormancy is influenced by the small seasonal changes in natural day length, bud dormancy being induced in 11 1/2 h days and prevented in 12 1/2 h days.