Abstract
The embankment band or raised bed is commonly used in the Mekong Delta for the cultivation of crops such as yam, cassava, and watermelon as well as perennial crops. The method aims to avoid wet season inundation of the plants while providing water in side-ditches for irrigation during the dry season. The effects of this practice upon plant growth have not been well documented. Therefore, the beneficial effects of embankment on biomass production and plant nutrient status were examined using Melaleuca cajuputi Powell. Embankment bands 0.4 m high with 0.8 m deep side-ditches were constructed on acid sulphate soils in the Mekong Delta in 1998. Seedlings of M. cajuputi were planted on the embankment bands and on the adjacent natural ground surface (i.e. no embankment) as a control. One year after planting, biomass production and mineral nutrition status in various plant parts of M. cajuputi were determined. Planting on embankment bands enhanced plant growth in terms of plant height, number of leaves, number of branches, and root diameter, while diameter at breast height did not change. Whole plant biomass on the embankment bands increased by 237% relative to the control as a result of the increase of biomass of all the plant parts particularly leaves trunk, and stumps. The partitioning percentage of dry matter of stumps increased as a result of embankment. Nitrogen uptake increased more significantly in the trees planted on the embankment bands than whole plant biomass and the uptake of other mineral elements. The uptake of Al and Ca increased by planting on the embankment but to a smaller extent than that of the other mineral elements. The Al concentration in the plant parts tended to decrease as a result of planting on embankments except for bark. The results suggest that embankment is effective in enhancing tree growth, mainly as a result of accelerated N uptake as well as alleviation of the deleterious effects of acid sulphate soils including Al toxicity.
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