Artocarpus chaplasha: Establishment and Initial Growth Performance at Elevated Temperature and Saline Stresses

Abstract

Like any other natural resources, forest flora may experience the extreme threat of elevated temperature and saline water submergence at different stages of their lives i.e. from germination to maturity due to climate change effects. The overall aim of the study was to measure the effect of higher temperatures along with saline water irrigation on survival and initial growth during seedling stage of Artocarpus chapalasha. The experiment was conducted in temperature- humidity-photoperiod regulated plant growth chamber during stipulated period to measure the growth performance of randomly selected seedlings. Within three different elevated temperatures viz. <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX>, <TEX>$32^{\circ}C$</TEX> and <TEX>$34^{\circ}C$</TEX>, the seedlings were given three different saline conditions such as 0.5 g/L, 1.5 g/L and 2.5 g/L NaCl concentrations. Results found from the experiment was that, seedlings of Artocarpus chaplasha reared at different temperatures and saline water treatments showed stunted growth than reared at existing outdoor temperature (<TEX>$26.31^{\circ}C$</TEX>) irrigated with regular fresh water. Seedling growth at three different parameters such as height, collar diameter and number of leaves showed that with increasing temperature individuals respond negatively to increasing saline condition. The seedling's growth occurred at every day in height, collar diameter and leaf. However, growth rate reduced later during the observation. The combined effect of high salinity and higher elevated temperature results in seedling mortality. Therefore, Artocarpus chaplasha may not thrive at higher temperature and salinity intrusion at its early growing period in plantation and natural forest areas.