Morphological and anatomical properties of teak seedlings as influenced by nursery techniques

Abstract

An experiment was carried out at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara with the objective to evaluate the best nutrient levels and sowing treatments required for the production of good quality stumps based on anatomical properties of the seedlings with particular reference to wood formation due to cambial activity. The different nutrient and sowing methods were randomly allocated following completely randomized design. From the experiment, it was found that the best nutrient and sowing method combinations were N2S3 (cowdung 0.4 kg/rrr' and neem cake 0.2 kg/rn ' with spacing of 12 cm x 12 cm between seeds). In terms of biometric characters and biomass characteristics of seedlings it was also found that in quick growing seedlings, vessel diameter was large and vessel frequency was less. Collar girth was positively related with ring width and negative related with vessel frequency. Comparing the performance of nursery raised seedlings with root trainer raised seedlings it was found that the growth characteristics as well as the anatomical properties were inferior for root trainer raised seedlings. In the present study it was found that the best quality teak stumps could be produced by intensive cultural practices. Intensive management of nursery seedlings could produce VlgOurOUS seedlings and thereby it could produce good quality stumps in less time. Results of the present study showed that traditional system of production of teak stumps were efficient By imposing superior nutrient and sowing methods good quality, vigorous stumps can be produced to meet the immediate plantation requirements within a short period.