Growth Response of Melaleuca cajuputi to Flooding in a Tropical Peat Swamp

Abstract

We investigated the growth response of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell to flooding at 3 sites in a tropical swamp in southern Thailand. The relative growth rate (RGR) in height tended to be higher where the water level was higher. The maximum RGR in height was achieved during the flood period at the 2 sites where water levels were higher than at the other site. The height growth of M. cajuputi was not reduced by flooding, but enhanced. No decline in growth due to post-anoxic injury was observed after flooding. Melaleuca cajuputi may have mechanisms to tolerate rhizospheric oxygen deficiency and to avoid post-anoxic injury.