1916

Germiation,growth and biomass accumulation as influenced by seed size in Mesua ferrea L.

Mesua ferrea I. was evaluated for its germination, seedling growth and biomass across four seed size classes. The production of two- and three-seeded fruits was high. The viability of the seeds was 58-81%. Germination was positively correlated with seed weight. Heavier seeds showed early and rapid germination. The contribution of leaves to total biomass yield was 27-60% in 1 -month old seedlings. Carbon content was also related with plant length and weight in the seedlings. The study concludes that the variations in seed size have a substantial influence on growth and biomass accumulation in Mesua ferrea. Such variation also helps in the physiology and regeneration of the tree species.

PDF

___

1. Allen SE, Grimshaw HM, Parkinson JA & Quarmby C (1974) Chemical Analysis of Ecological Materials. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications.
2. Ashton MS & Larson BC (1996) Germination and seedling growth of Quercus (section Erythrobalanus) across openings in a mixed deciduous forest of southern New England, USA. Forest Ecol Manage 80: 81-94.
3. Forget PM (1991) Comparative recruitment patterns of two non pioneer canopy tree species in French Guiana. Oecologia 85: 434-439.
4. Harmer R (1995) Natural regeneration of broadleaved trees in Britain: III. Germination and establishment. Forestry 68: 1-9.
5. Harper JL (1977) The Population Biology of Plants. London: Academic Press.
6. McGinley MA, Temme DH & Geber MA (1987) Parental investment in offspring in variable environments: Theoretical and empirical considerations. Am Nat 130: 370-398.
7. Osunkoya 00, Ash JE, Hopkins MS & Grahanm AW (1994) Influence of seed size and seedling ecologial attributes on shade-tolerance of rain-forest tree species in northern Queensland. J Ecol 82: 149-163.
8. Ramakrishnan PS, Shukla RP & Booj R (1982) Growth strategies of trees and their application to forest management. Curr Sci 51: 448-455.
9. Roach DA (1987) Variation in seed and seedling size in Anthoxanthum odoratum. Am Midi Nat 90: 493-498.
10.Singh ND & Khan ML (1998) Influence of fruit weight and soil fertility on seed germination and seedling fitness of Dillenia indica Linn. Ecol Environ ConservA: 45-47.
11.Tripathi RS & Khan ML (1990) Effects of seed weight and microsite characteristics on germination and seedling fitness in two species of Quercus in a subtropical wet hill forest. Oikos 57: 289-296.
12.Zar JH (1974) Biostatistical Analysis. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Prentice-Hall.