Seed Germination, Seedling Survival and Growth of Rhododendron arboreum – a High Altitude Tree Species of Meghalaya, Northeast India

Shairi Nongbri, Krishna upadhaya, harendra Nath Pandey

Abstract


The present study was carried out to understand the regeneration behaviour of Rhododendron arboreum in terms of seed germination and seedling survival and growth in different microsites i.e., open, periphery and interior of Swer and Sohrarim forests under natural condition and also along light gradients (high, intermediate and low) under net house conditions. The germination percentage at room temperature in the laboratory was 54 %. The seeds of the species showed 15 % viability after two years of storage. The survival of the seedlings were high in the open microsites of both the forests (72 - 76%) as compared to periphery (31- 40%) and forest interior (11 - 33%). The seedling mortality was high during rainy season. The RGRH and RGRW of the species were high during spring and rainy season as compared to dry season. Similarly, the survival and growth of the seedlings was better under high light condition. Results of the study indicate that besides temperature, soil moisture and nutrients, light was the key factor for seedling survival and growth in different microsites of the two forests.


Keywords


Rhododendron arboreum; Seed Germination; Seedling Survival; Growth; Northeast India.

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