Abstract
Context: Plants behaviour is greatly influenced by light intensity, quality and photoperiods. Rauvolfia serpentina Benth. ex. Kurz and R. tetraphylla L. grow well during April to September with longer daylength and maximum light intensity. Growth of both the species continues during rest months with slow rate. From their overall performance in their normal habitat R. serpentina seems to appear that it can tolerate some shading as against R. tetraphylla. Objective: To study the growth behaviour of R. serpentina and R. tetraphylla under three different light intensities i.e. full open sun, partial shade and shade in a glasshouse. Materials and Methods: Experiments were done on three light regimes measured with the help of luxmeter, i.e. full light under natural condition with 100% light under netted cloth cover with 90% and diffused light under muslin cloth with 70% Seedlings were raised in earthenware pots. The harvesting was started after 2 weeks after transference of the plants to their appropriate light intensities. The performance of species was judged with respect to mean dry weight accumulation, leaf area increase, relative growth rate, leaf area ratio, specific leaf area, leaf weight ratio, net assimilation rate and α. Results: In both species dry weight and leaf area increased steadily in successive harvests but R. serpentina and R. tetraphylla appear to behave differently in their response to different light regimes. R. serpentina grows well in partial shade and full light as against R. tetraphylla which does well in full light than in partial shade. R. serpentina always maintained an edge over R. tetraphylla. Conclusion: Both species showed the value of α more than one in most regimes. It means that they are morphogenetically well balanced and are ready for flowering. Keywords: Artificial shading; Growth; Morphogenesis; Rauvolfia serpentine; R. tetraphylla. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v18i0.8770 JBS 2010; 18(0): 21-26
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