Abstract:

The effect of light quality and sowing depth on seed termination of selected |)ioneer, understorey, secondary colonizer and
canopy tree species in Kalinzu Forest Reserve was studied. Seeds of (different species were sown under incident radiation,
neutral shade, interrupted leaf shade, continuous leaf shade, different coloured lights, darkness, on the soil surface and
in the soil at a depth of about 1.5 cm. There were interspecific variations in percentage, rates and periods before initiation
of germination among the different light treatments. Seeds of the selected pioneer species (Mu sang a leo-arrerae Hauman
& Leon) only germinated under incident light, neutral shade, interrupted leaf slide, red light and on the soil surface.
Ninety seven percent of the seeds germinated under incident light and 4% under interrupted leaf shade. Seeds of Albizid
gunimifera J.F. Gmel (secondary colonizer), Oxyiuisus speciosus DC' (understorey) and Funtiiinia africana Bcnth. (canopy)
germinated under incident r;idi:iti()n, neutral shade, interru|)te(l leaf shade, continnous leaf shade and darkness. Seeds of
the pioneer species germinated only on the soil surface because of the steep light gradient in the upper soil layers. Seeds
on the soil surface.of the sub-canopy species germinated both below (with a higlicr percentage) and