Effect of initial morphology on field performance in white jabon seedlings at Bogor, Indonesia

Abstract

Reforestation programs should be supported by adequate forest nursery techniques. Seedlings used for reforestation programs in Indonesia were based on the height of seedlings ready to be planted in the field without basic knowledge of seedling morphology. White jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba [Roxb.] Miq.), a potentially fast-growing multipurpose tree species, has been extensively planted for land rehabilitation and reforestation programs. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of seed viability and initial morphology (diameter and height classes) of A. cadamba seedlings on field survival and growth after planting at Parungpanjang Research Station, Bogor, Indonesia. Correlations were found between seedling characteristics at initial stages and survival or growth in the field: seed viability and seedling height; seedling diameter or survival rate in the field; and seedling height growth in both the nursery and field. Thus, more viable seeds may predict better seedling height growth, seedling diameter growth, and higher survival in the field after planting. The morphology class of H2D4 (height 20–< 30 cm, diameter > 4.5 mm) was a good diameter and height class because of good sturdiness quotient of 5.47 and also high total dry weight of 3.05 g.