Research focus

My area of specialization is in Forest Biology and Silviculture with research focus in Tree Improvement and Silviculture. Over the last eight years, I have worked on domestication, improvement and conservation of genetic resources of indigenous tree species.

My research work on tree improvement has focused on ex-situ conservation of genetic diversity of underutilized and threatened indigenous tree species of Africa using macro and micro forms of vegetative propagation. The information on the genetic variations within and between species of these indigenous tree species ensure informed selection of plus trees to improve their qualities and their availability in perpetuity. Appropriate methods for achieving improvement in the vegetative propagation of many indigenous tree species using macro and micro propagation techniques were investigated. Different populations have been compared with the aim of raising germ-plasm of plus trees that will give improved yield in form of timber and non-timber forest produce for enhanced food production and income generation. Since most tree species are erratic in their fruiting habits, these species could be mass propagated using vegetative forms of production. These trees which provide an additional source of income, medicine and food supplements to people. Some of these species include Buccholzia coriacea, Dacryodes edulis (African pear/ Safou) (G. Don) H.J. Lam, Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn.) Taub., Nauclea diderichii, Parkia biglobosa Jacq benth, Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.), Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (Lam.), Dennettia tripetala (Bak.f.), Centella asiatica Linn. (Gotu kola), Griffonia simplicifolia and Alstonia bonnei De Wild. Information on protocols for vegetative propagation of these species were developed and documented.

The experiments comparing the response of species to various environmental factors provide insight into the growth and development of these species under future climatic conditions. The effect of arbuscular mychorriza and water status and inorganic fertilizer have been conducted on selected indigenous tree species. These provide information on ways of enhancing the growth of these species in the nursery before they are transferred to the field. Appropriate pretreatment methods, sowing media and light intensity on seed germination and early growth of selected tree species were developed. This is particularly important for management of the natural and artificial forest ecosystem. My research has provided information on various silvicultural requirements of different species in Nigeria and West Africa. These species include Afzelia africana, Mansonia altissima, Jatropha curcas L. (JCL), Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) H. J. Lam. Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels, Khaya senegalensis, Dialium guineense (Willd), Hildegardia barteri seeds (Mast) and Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum. & Thonn). These provide a record of the appropriate silvicultural techniques for optimum growth of these species.