Effects of shoot mortality on the early development of Afzelia quanzensis seedlings.
Abstract
Data are presented and discussed on seed germination, seedling emergence, seedling mortality, leaf production and shoot growth for the economically valuable timber tree Afzelia quanzensis under natural conditions (cleared miombo - Brachystegia/Julbernardia - woodland), and in the absence of fire, at Lusaka, Zambia. Although seedling mortality was low (12%) during the first year, shoots of 60% of surviving seedlings died back to ground level, apparently because of water stress; these seedlings had much lower shoot and root biomass and fewer leaves at the end of the second growing season than seedlings without shoot die-back.