Effects of Light and Fertilizer Amounts on Seedling Growth of Brachychiton populneus (Schott & Endl.)

Abstract

Nutrient application and light intensity are two important abiotic factors that affect the plant growth and development. This study was carried out to determine the effect of different NPK fertilizer amount, viz. 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g.pot-1, light regimes, viz. 50% full sunlight (inside the lath house) and 100% full sunlight (the open area) and their interactions on the growth, chlorophyll contents and biomass of potted Brachychiton populneus seedlings. At the end of the experiment, (after six months) growth parameter including plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm) and leaf numbers, chlorophyll contents and biomass allocation were measured. The results indicate that the greatest stem height increment, stem diameter increment, leaf number increment, stem dry weight and leaf dry weight were obtained from the seedlings grown in the open area. However, the highest chlorophyll content and root dry weight were observed from the seedlings grown inside the lath house. In addition, the seedlings fertilized with 3 and/or 4 g NPK every two months recorded higher growth traits, chlorophyll content and biomass allocation than other amounts of the fertilizer. Thus, the present study suggests that in order to obtain optimum growth of B. populneus potted seedlings, it should be grown in the open area and fertilized with 3 or 4 g NPK every two months.