Effect of Potting Media on Growth of Aquilaria crassna Pierre Seedlings

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Chana Piewluang
Korakot Saiwaew

Abstract

Effect of potting media on growth of Aquilaria crassna Pierre seedlings was investigated under nursery conditions of the Central Forest Seed Centre, Muak-Lek, Saraburi. A Completely Randomized Design with ten treatments and four replications was used. The treatments were coconut husk, coconut husk incorporated with Osmocote (slow-release) fertilizer, top soil, top soil incorporated with Osmocote, coconut husk mixed with top soil (3:1), coconut husk mixed with manure (3:1), top soil mixed with manure (3:1), coconut husk mixed with top soil (3:1) and incorporated with Osmocote, coconut husk mixed with top soil and manure (3:1:1), and coconut husk mixed with top soil and manure (3:1:1) and incorporated with Osmocote. Height, diameter at root collar and survival of the seedlings were measured at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. Shoot, root, and total dry weight of seedlings and shoot/root ratio were determined after 12 months. The results from this study revealed that survival, height, diameter at root collar and shoot, root, total dry weight and shoot/root ratio of Aquilaria crassna seedlings in the ten treatments were significantly different. Survivals at 1, 3 and 6 months, and diameter at root collar at 1 month old seedlings, respectively, were not significantly different. Coconut husk mixed with top soil and incorporated with Osmocote encouraged Aquilaria crassna seedlings to attain the greatest survival and growth. However, seedlings of A. crassna in coconut husk mixed with top soil and manure and incorporated with Osmocote had the lowest survival and growth. In addition, the seedlings in coconut husk incorporated with Osmocote, coconut husk mixed with manure, top soil mixed with manure, and coconut husk mixed with top soil and manure had lower survival and growth than the overall mean. Moreover, different chemical and physical properties of some measured media did not clearly affect to seedling survival and growth. Stable environment inside the studied nursery tended to encourage seedling survival and growth. Therefore, it can be concluded that coconut husk mixed with top soil and incorporated with Osmocote is the suitable medium for transplanting seedling of Aquilaria crassna in the nursery.


Keywords: Aquilaria crassna Pierre, potting media, seedling growth

Article Details

How to Cite
Piewluang, C. ., & Saiwaew, K. . (2022). Effect of Potting Media on Growth of Aquilaria crassna Pierre Seedlings. Thai Journal of Forestry, 26(2), 40–53. Retrieved from https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjf/article/view/255887
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Original Articles