Abstract
Tropical Montane Cloud Forest (TMCF) is among the most vulnerable habitats to fragmentation, deforestation, and global climate change. A successful restoration program requires a comprehensive understanding of variables influencing seedling efficiency. This study was conducted on Sg. Terla Forest Reserve Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. In this study, we used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and measured the Magnolia champaca height, root collar diameter, diameter at breast height, plant survival, root diameter, main root length, lateral root length, root coiling, root direction, and chlorophyll content. The soil samples were taken to study the effect of different mulching materials on soil characteristics. We also measured soil compaction, soil texture, soil colour, soil moisture content, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total sulphur, available phosphorus, and exchanged potassium. This study indicates that mulching had no significant effect on plant height, diameter breast height, root collar diameter, and chlorophyll content between treatments. Although mulching had a significant effect on root diameter, main root length, and root distributions among treatments while for lateral root length and root:shoot ratio did not show a significant effect among treatments. However, oil palm mulching treatment had a greater effect on plant height, root collar diameter, and diameter at breast height growth, among treatments. Mulching significantly affected soil pH, soil moisture content, total sulphur, and potassium exchange. In contrast, mulching did not significantly affect soil organic carbon, total soil nitrogen, and soil available phosphorus between treatments.
Highlights
Wahidullah Rahmani,1 Mohd Nazre Salleh,1 Mohd Zaki Hamzah,2 Aminu Abdu,1 Mohamad Fakhri Ishak,1 Wan Rasidah Wan Abd Khadir,3 Mohd Ridza Awang,3 Zahari Ibrahim,3 Ahmad Fadzil Abd Majid,3 Mohd Shahrir Azrin Salleh,3 Azhar Anuar,2 and Mohamad Azani Bin Alias 1
Plant height in Oil palm mulching treatment (OM) indicates the highest increment grown in 1.47 m and slightly higher than Plastic mulching treatment (PM) (1.43 m), CK (1.43 m), and Coconut mulching treatment (CM) (1.42 m), respectively (Figure 2). e breast height diameter was greater in OM (1 cm) than CM (0.98 cm)
OM had a greater effect on plant height, root collar diameter, and diameter at breast height on M. champaca than CM, PM, and CK
Summary
Wahidullah Rahmani ,1 Mohd Nazre Salleh, Mohd Zaki Hamzah, Aminu Abdu, Mohamad Fakhri Ishak, Wan Rasidah Wan Abd Khadir, Mohd Ridza Awang, Zahari Ibrahim, Ahmad Fadzil Abd Majid, Mohd Shahrir Azrin Salleh, Azhar Anuar, and Mohamad Azani Bin Alias 1. Is study indicates that mulching had no significant effect on plant height, diameter breast height, root collar diameter, and chlorophyll content between treatments. Environmental friendly, secure, cost-effective, and socially appropriate methods for managing noncrop vegetation are needed to protect young trees [2] In this circumstance, we concentrated on the need for environmentally sustainable establishment and low-cost restoration area management techniques. Mulches have beneficial effects such as improved early growth of trees, seed germination, increased root growth, higher water availability, maintaining good soil structure and porosity, minimizing soil erosion, reducing weed competition, maintaining soil temperature, reducing soil evaporation, enhanced root establishment and transplant survival, and increased overall plant performance [7, 8]. Increases in plant height [1, 10], stem or trunk diameter [16], leaf size and/or number [17], and flower, fruit, and/or seed production [18] have all been reported because of mulching with appropriate materials
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