Effects of light and seedling container medium composition on growth of Melanorrhoea laccifera Pierre at the stage of nursery

Abstract

Melanorrhoea laccifera Pierre is a evergreen broadleaf native species Vietnam providing high value of timber and non-timber forest products. Research results showed that the composition of seedling container medium and light significantly affected to quality of seedlings for the nursery stage. The container medium composition did not influences survival rates, however it affected on the seedling root collar diameter and height. The formulas of container medium composition including 88% of B layer soil under forest + 10% of manure + 2% of superphosphate is the strongest effect. Tree growthing on this type of container reached 90.02% for survival rates, 37.37cm for height (Hvn) and 0.54cm for root collar diameter at 8 months stages. Simultanenously, light condition significantly affected to survival rate, and growth of root collar diameter and height of seedling in the nursery stages. In the first two month since converting seedling into pots, the best number for shading rate is examined about 50-75%, and then down to 50% of the stage of 2-4 months, 25-50% of the stage 4-6 months, and 25% of the stage of 6-8 months. Seedlings at the stage of 8 aged months for the best container medium composition and light were reached to Doo ≥ 0.5cm and H
vn≥ 32cm and meet requirement standard of plantation seedling. One month before planting on the field, the shading should be reduced to 0% to help seedlings become familiar with real living condition in the field.