Mean Height Increment Research Articles

Vitamin A Supplementation does not Improve Growth of Preschool Children: A Randomized, Double-Blind Field Trial in South India

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in an ongoing growth monitoring research project in TamilNadu, India, to assess the role of high dose vitamin A supplementation on the growth of mild to moderately malnourished children <3 y old. The treatment group received 60 mg of vitamin A and the control group received a placebo every 4 mo. Infants 6–11 mo of age received only 30 mg of vitamin A. Cases of xerophthalmia and severe malnutrition were excluded. Anthropometric measurements and serum retinol determinations were made at baseline and at the end of 1 y. The two groups were similar at baseline in nutritional status, serum retinol, age-sex composition and other socio-demographic indicators. The mean height increments were 9.20 ± 3.51 and 9.01 ± 3.41 cm/y for the vitamin A-treated (n = 310) and placebo (n = 282) groups, respectively, and the mean weight increments were 2.02 ± 0.83 and 1.99 ± 0.81 kg/y, respectively. The differences in growth increments between the two groups were not statistically significant. These findings remain unaltered following multivariate analysis and suggest the lack of an effect of vitamin A supplementation on growth in young children where access to health care and immunization are good.

Ecological and silvicultural assessment of European aspen (Populus tremula L.) stands: The sample of Erciyes Mountain

Türkiye’de yayılış alanı giderek artan saf titrek kavak meşcerelerinin işletme amaçlarının ve silvikültürel uygulamalarının tespiti önem taşımaktadır. Çalışma kapsamında Erciyes dağı çevresinde doğal olarak yayılış gösteren titrek kavak ormanlarının alansal dağılımının, ekolojik karakteristiklerinin, meşcere kuruluş özelliklerinin ve silvikültürel müdahalelerin ortaya koyulması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma Erciyes ve Develi Orman İşletme Şefliğinde yer alan titrek kavak meşcerelerinde gerçekleştirilmiştir. Her bir meşcere gelişim çağından alınan örnek alanlarda ekolojik özelliklerle birlikte hektardaki birey sayıları, göğüs yüksekliği çap değerleri ve kapalılık dereceleri tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca 2019 yılında ilk aralama müdahalesi yapılan ve bakım müdahalesi yapılmayan aynı yaş ve bonitetteki saf meşcerelerden örnek alanlar alınmış ve titrek kavak meşcerelerinin aktüel durumu yanında iki yıllık aralama müdahalelerinin etkisi incelenmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda Kayseri Erciyes dağının kuzey, güney ve batı bakılardaki eteklerinde toplam 3674.1 ha titrek kavak ormanının yer aldığı belirlenmiştir. Bu ormanlar genellikle saf meşcereler halinde ve 1750-2250 metrelerde yayılış göstermektedir. Meşcerelerin çoğunlukla %21-40 ve %41-60 eğim grubunda yer aldığı tespit edilmiştir. Meşcere gelişme çağlarına göre gençlik çağında hektardaki birey sayısının 100000-200000 adet arasında (3-4 yaşında, 0.5-1.5 m boy ve 2-8 mm çap) değiştiği belirlenmiştir. Sıklık çağında ortalama çapın 7.42 cm (2.8 cm-12.3cm) ve hektardaki birey sayısının 7500 adet olduğu ortaya koyulmuştur. 2019 yılı ilk aralama müdahaleleri sonrasında 2021 yılında yapılan ölçümlere göre ortalama boy artımının Erciyes için 1.0 m/yıl, Develi için 1.35 m/yıl olduğu, göğüs yüksekliği çap artımının ise Erciyes için 1.08 cm/yıl, Develi için 1.79 cm/yıl olduğu belirlenmiştir. Titrek kavak ormanlarının gelişim çağlarına bağlı olarak gerekli silvikültürel müdahalelere konu edilmesi ve böylelikle sürdürülebilirliğin sağlanması gerekmektedir.

Suitability of Eucalyptus clones on salt affected areas of Eastern Gangetic Plains, India

We assessed the growth performance of Eucalyptus clones on salt affected areas of eastern Gangetic Plains for identification of suitable planting material. An experimental trial was established under statistical design of randomized complete blocks with three replicates and 3 x 2 m spacing for 13 clones IFGTB 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, FRI 100, 104, 124 of 02 Eucalyptus species (Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldulensis) along with control for 14 treatments in Kamasin village of Pratapgarh district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh in year 2017. The clones of species E. camaldulensis in IFGTB series performed superior over FRI clones/species of E. tereticornis. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for mean height and girth increments showed high levels of significance. The results of growth performance indicated that all clones gave superior results for growth indicators as compared to control. On the basis of growth parameters, viz., height, girth at breast height, basal area and tree volume, in IFGTB series, the clones IFGTB 4, 8, 6, 10 and 1 performed superior over other clones, whereas in FRI series, the clones FRI 100 and FRI 124 performed superior over others.

Impacts of Teak Defoliator (Hyblaea puera) in Carbon Accumulation in Teak (Tectona grandis) Plantation Forest

Among the insects attacking teak well-known pests of the teak tree (Tectona grandis) i.e., Hyblaea puera (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae), popularly known as the teak defoliator is the most widespread and serious pest causing a loss in increment volume of plants. Having a high economic timber value, Tectona grandis has also played an important role in storing carbon. Hence, the present investigation has attempted to study the impacts of teaks defoliator Hyblaea puera on carbon stocks accumulation and overall growth in plantation forests and make acomparison with healthy teak plantation forests without the impacts of teak defoliator. Remaining all other factors constant, the study conducted on tropical regions of eastern Nepal has shown an 18% increase in carbon stocks in 2 years in the teak defoliator infected patch whereas it’s 38% in the healthy patch. Similarly, a highly positive correlation was found between diameter and height in a healthy patch in both the measurement i.e., 0.88 and 0.89. Whereas there is less positive correlation i.e.,0.64 and 0.69 in the infected patch.The mean height increment of the healthy plot was 1.1, while it was 0.5 in the case of the infected plot. Furthermore, the Mean DBH Increment of the Healthy plot was 2.1; however, it was 1.0 in the case of the infected plot. To sum up, this study at tropical regions has presented the impacts of teak defoliator (Hyblaea puera) on growth(height and diameter) and carbon accumulation on Teak plantation area.

In situ conservation of mangroves species in Bagan Datuk, Perak

In situ conservation is one of the methods recommended for conserving forest genetic resources. It aims to maintain and recover viable population of species in its natural habitat, to reintroduce the rare and endangered species and to recreate the habitats for plant species. Though mangrove rehabilitation programmes are widely carried out in Malaysia, the most common species planted for this purpose have always been Rhizophora apiculata (Bakau minyak) and Rhizophora mucronata (Bakau kurap). In this study, mangroves species namely Bruguiera cylindrica (Berus-berus), Ceriops tagal (Tengar), Xylocarpus granantum (Nyireh bunga), Xylocarpus moluccensis (Nyireh batu) and Sonneratia ovata (Gedabu) were planted in Bagan Datuk Mangrove Germplasm, Perak. These species were selected due to their unavailability in the study area. The main objective of this study is to rehabilitate and to introduce new species in the Bagan Datuk Mangrove Germplasm area. The initial growth and survival of saplings planted were measured and data obtained were analyzed using SPSS program. After 12 months of planting, the survival rate was 80% and Sonneratia ovata recorded the highest mean height increment.

Growth performance of Santalum album its income potentiality: A study from Pyuthan District, Nepal

The Santalum album is becoming a popular income generating tree species in Nepal but its growth performance has not been assessed so far yet. Thus, this study was objectively conducted to assess mean annual increment, income from Santalum album and value chain analysis. The Private plantation of Pyuthan district was selected for the study site. The diameter and height of 450 plants were measured and their age was recorded. Total fifteen key informant interviews, forty five farmers’ interviews and one focused group discussion were conducted to collect primary data. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics .Mean annual increment, price of Santalum album and contribution of Santalum album in total income were analyzed. The result showed that the highest mean annual diameter increment was 51.94 cm and lowest mean annual increment was 28.25cm, the highest mean height increment was 6.39 m and the lowest mean annual height increment was4.47m and the highest mean volume increment was 0.678 m3but the lowest mean annual volume increment was 0.134 m3. The estimated maximum range of annual income from Santalum album was US$ 221-530 which was 10-15% contribution in farmers annual income while minimum range of this was US$ 194-265 and it contributes&lt;10%.The difference of the price of Santalum album between the farmers and users in Kathmandu was2200 times more.

Effect of Mulching and/or Watering on Soil Moisture for Growth and Survival of the Transplanted Tree Seedlings in Dry Period

Dry mulch, as soil moisture conservation techniques, is seldom practiced for growth and survival of transplanted tree seedlings in dry period in Eritrea. Field experiment was conducted at Halhale, Eritrea with Dry Hyparrhenia rufa, as a mulch, on a flat basin for growth and survival of seedlings of Grevillea robusta and Acacia polyacantha subspecies Campylacantha by involving four management practices: 1) mulching and watering basins (MW); 2) no-mulching but watering basins (NMW); 3) mulching but no-watering basins (MNW); 4) no-mulching and no-watering basins (NMNW). The experimental design was CRD with three replications. MW and NMW were watered 180 litters (20 litters/month) but MNW and NMNW were not watered at all. Parameters such as soil moisture content of the basin, early growth performance of seedling and survival rate of the seedlings were studied. The result indicated that there were statistically significant differences (p 0.05) among the treatment for soil moisture content and early growth performance of the seedlings. The average volumetric water content (VWC%) on 0 - 20 cm soil depth at the end of dry period of MW, NMW, MNW, and NMNW were 10.08%, 7.7%, 6.3% and 3.9% respectively. Mean height increment of seedlings of G. robusta of MW (100 cm), NMW (83.3 cm), MNW (31.5 cm) and NMNW (9 cm) were recorded, while the mean height increments of seedlings of A. polyacantha subsp. Campylacantha of MW (48 cm), NMW (25 cm), MNW (4.5 cm) and NMNW (3 cm) were recorded. The mean survival rate of G. robusta was 91.8% of which the highest (100%) survival rate was recorded under MW, NMW and MNW, but the lowest (66.7%) was recorded by NMNW. All seedlings of A. polyacanth subsp. Campylacantha were survived, irrespective of the treatments. The study concluded that soil moisture content, early growth performance of seedlings, and survival rate of transplanted tree seedling was improved by application of mulch.

Rapid tufa deposition and bryophyte growth rates in Irish petrifying springs

ABSTRACT Introduction. Rates of deposition of tufa in petrifying springs are complex and highly variable, and the growth rates of associated bryophytes are poorly known. Methods. Tufa deposition and bryophyte growth rates were measured using novel methods at six petrifying spring sites in Ireland, north-western Europe. Tufa height was measured at 293 point locations, from 2011 to 2013, using fixed bars mounted above actively growing deposits. Most samples were bryophyte-dominated and the height increments of individual species were measured. Environmental factors were recorded and the chemical composition of spring water was analysed. Results and Conclusions. Tufa deposits increased in height by 20.5 ± 1.1 mm.yr−1 on average. The pleurocarpous moss Palustriella commutata, in particular, was associated with rapid deposition. Mixed effects modelling revealed a significant interaction between P. commutata and the presence of surface water: together, they increased annual deposition of tufa by 5.7 ± 1.9 mm. The mean height increment for bare, unvegetated tufa was only 16.5 ± 3.0 mm.yr−1. Palustriella commutata can outgrow the mean rate of tufa deposition, with a mean annual increment of 27.6 ± 1.9 mm in depth of sward. The smaller acrocarpous mosses Didymodon tophaceus and Eucladium verticillatum grew in height by only 9.1 ± 1.6 mm.yr−1 and 9.5 ± 1.3 mm.yr−1 respectively; these two species cannot, therefore, contend with the most rapid rates of tufa deposition. A colonisation cycle was observed, involving competitive displacement of the smaller species by P. commutata. Non-intrusive methods enabled rapid deposition rates to be detected.

Use of a Common Garden Experiment in Selecting Adapted Beech Provenances for Artificial Stand Restoration

Increased frequency of extreme weather events has seriously affected forestry operations in south-eastern Europe. A precondition for effective artificial restoration of disturbed forest stands is site-adapted forest reproductive material (FRM). Common garden experiments (provenance trials) may assist in selecting such FRM. The main objective of this study was to establish among-provenance variation pattern using data from a beech provenance trial. Usefulness of the results in selecting seed sources for restoration of European beech stands is discussed. The trial was set up in 2007, at a slope of Medvednica mount facing north-west at 730-750 m above sea level. Plant heights were measured and survival scored in 2008 and 2015. Height increments were calculated and processed to determine variance components due to various effects. Highly significant provenance-by-block interaction was revealed, indicating strong microsite effects on provenance performances. Therefore, corrections were made and provenance mean height increments recalculated. Provenance mean height increment multiplied with survival was used as a measure of a provenance’s adaptedness. Regression tree (RT) analysis was used to determine the pattern of among-provenance variations. A set of provenance clus­ters was grown using climatic variables related to the provenance stands of origin as criteria. All analyzed effects were significant (provenance: F=2.07, p&amp;lt;0.05; block: F=5.07, p&amp;lt;0.05; provenance by block interaction: F=7.32, p&amp;lt;0.001). Data corrections reduced the interaction effect, thereby increasing reliability of calculated provenance adaptedness indices (AI). Provenances were grouped into 4 clusters due to elevation, mean July temperature and summer heat-to-moisture index (SHM). Cluster 4, containing provenances from the highest altitudes (&amp;gt;750m), had the highest mean AI (143.9±8.4 cm). The lowest mean AI (106.7±14.8 cm) had cluster 1, containing provenances from lower altitudes with lower mean July temperatures (≤18.4°C). Provenances originating from lower elevations with higher mean July temperatures (&amp;gt;18.4°C) were further divided into two clusters due to the SHM variable. Cluster 2 had the second highest mean AI (141.2±1.5 cm) and contained provenances from relatively wetter habitats (SHM≤48.2). Cluster 3, containing provenances from relatively arid habitats (SHM&amp;gt;48.2), had significantly lower mean AI (116.8±8.6 cm). Established among-provenance variation pattern might be used as a tool in selecting seed sources for artificial restoration of beech stands at mount Medvednica. It is advisable to use FRM from higher altitudes and/or from slightly lower altitudes (up to 150 m lower than a restoring site) but featured with warmer and drier conditions compared to the trial. Generally, provenance trials should be utilized as a valuable decision tool in restoring disturbed forest stands but may also be misleading if not well designed and analyzed.

Economic and Production Effect of Tree Species Change as a Result of Adaptation to Climate Change

Climate change is increasingly affecting forest ecosystems. Modifying the species composition towards species mixtures with a higher potential to mitigate the negative effect of climate change is one of the basic silvicultural measures. Potential economic and production impacts of these actions need to be assessed. This study therefore aims to evaluate the economic and production effect of species composition change as a result of the adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change. The differences between the value production of Norway spruce (Picea abies /L./Karst.), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziessi/MIRBEL/FRANCO) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) on fresh soils (represented mainly by mesotrophic cambisols), and soils affected by ground water (mainly pseudogley forms of cambisols and pseudogleys) were evaluated. The study was conducted on the area of the forest enterprise of the Czech University of Life Sciences (UFE) situated in the Central Bohemia region. For a model comparison of height and volume growth of Douglas fir and Norway spruce in this area, all stands (pure and mixed) with both species represented were analysed using the data from the current forest management plan and Korf’s growth function. The course of current and mean height increments over time is very similar, yet with constantly higher annual increments for Douglas fir. In 100 years, the mean stand height of Douglas fir is 6 m larger than that of Norway spruce. Production and economic potential were also evaluated. At the rotation age, the volume and value production of Douglas fir was 30% to 50% higher than that of Norway spruce. A higher share of Douglas fir in the total forest area would lead to an important value increment of the forests in the study area. Different results were achieved by comparing the yield potential of Norway spruce with European beech, which most often substitutes spruce at middle altitudes. Beech potential yield is only 40–55% of the spruce yield level.

Age-related differences in height gain with dairy protein and micronutrient supplements in Indian primary school children.

The efficacy of nutrient interventions to prevent/reverse stunting is considered to be restricted to early life. Whether such interventions are equally effective in later childhood is not clear. The present study evaluated the effect of a food-based high-quality protein and micronutrient intervention on the linear growth of Indian primary school children. A secondary analysis of a one-year milkprotein and micronutrient fortified food product intervention (protein-energy ratio: 12.8%) on the height of 550 children aged 6-10 years, of poor-socioeconomic background, was carried out. Height and weight increments were compared between groups of each year of age using multiple linear regression. Comparisons in prevalence of stunting and underweight between these groups was also made. The overall mean height increment at the end of 1-year was 6.10±1.07 cm, the highest being for 6-year olds (6.38±0.84 cm). The mean height increments in 6, 7 and 8-year-olds were significantly higher (all p<0.05) than the expected median growth. Height-forage score increased across all age-groups (by 0.14±0.18) and was significantly higher in 6-year olds compared to the rest. Stunting reduced by 12% in 6- year olds in comparison to the older age-groups. No significant association was observed between height gain and gender. The increased BMI-for-age scores were significantly lower for the 6-year olds compared to older children. Food supplements containing high-quality protein (like milk) along with micronutrients, can continue to influence height of children even in primary school, although the most effect is seen in younger children.

Growth Variations of Tree Saplings in Relation to Species Diversity and Functional Traits in a Tree Diversity Pot Experiment

Despite the accumulating evidence of the beneficial effects of diverse mixed species forests on ecosystem functioning and services, foresters in subtropical forest cultivation in China still prefer easily managed monocultures, which is also due to the complexity of mixed forests and the unknown underlying mechanisms related to relationships between biodiversity and forest growth. In a designed pot experiment, we selected two early-successional tree species (Pinus massoniana Lamb., Liquidambar formosana Hance.) and two late-successional tree species (Schima superba Champ., Elaeocarpus decipiens Hemsl.) and planted four saplings in one pot with regard to tree species diversity (monoculture, two species and four species mixtures), each combination replicated four times. In this three-year duration experiment, the effect of tree species diversity, tree identity, and functional traits on sapling growth (tree height, ground diameter, crown projection area), were analyzed. The results showed that the increments of ground diameter and crown projection area increased with tree species richness, whereas the mean tree height increment showed the opposite effect. This growth variation was species specific and related to functional traits (early or late succession), as the increments of the early successional tree species (P. massoniana Lamb. and L. formosana Hance.) had a positive correlation with tree species richness, while the late successional tree species (E. decipiens Hemsl. and S. superba Champ.) showed negative effects. In addition, our study provided evidence for the allometric differences between mixtures and monocultures, which have an important reference value on mixed-species forests.

Comparing natural regeneration of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. in the Kaszuby Lake District and in the other regions of northern Poland

Abstract The paper investigates the biometric characteristics natural Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) regeneration in the Kaszuby Lake District, which is beyond the acknowledged Norway spruce range, with the natural regeneration in the Augustów Forest situated deep within the natural range, Warmia, at the edge of the natural range and in the West-Pomerania Lake District far beyond the natural range. For each region, four tree stands with similar light conditions on the forest floor were selected, including two cambisols and two brunic arenosols. All sites contained naturally regenerating spruces 16–17 years of age. The features of the forest stand and the biometric features of the saplings were determined for the selected stands on circular research plots. Altogether, the characteristicts of 400 saplings (100 in each region) were measured and analyzed using basic descriptive statistics. ANOVA with the Tukey’s multiple comparison test was performed to compare the features of forest stands and the natural regeneration of spruce in each region. The degree of interrelation between regeneration features was described by Pearson’s, ‘r’ factor or Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. A discriminatory analysis was carried out to determine the set of regeneration features differentiating regions from each other. The features of regeneration that differed between regions the most were: height of regeneration, basal diameter, mean height increment, and mean basal diameter increment of the saplings. The parameters for Warmia and the West-Pomerania Lake District were similar. The Augustów Forest showed the lowest values for the regeneration parameters, while the Kaszuby Lake District produced the highest values. The regeneration in the Kaszuby Lake District was markedly different from all other regions as indicated by more dynamic growth. Additionally, this population shows a great distinctness, indicating adaptation to local environmental conditions, which may be proof for the insular presence hypothesis of spruce in this region. Due to their good quality, spontaneously developing natural regenerations in the Kaszuby Lake District should be supported by appropriate cutting and silvicultural measures.

Effects of liming on health and growth of young Schima superba trees under canopy of a Pinus massoniana stand damaged by soil acidification in Chongqing, China

In the past decades the decline of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forest caused by soil acidification due to excess sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) input has become common in Chongqing, China. Schima superba, an excellent shade-tolerant and fire-resistant species, is believed to be more resistant to soil acidification than Masson pine. Accordingly, its saplings were often grown in acidified and declining Masson pine stands to transform them and enhance prevention and control of forest fires and, in fact, cultivating S. superba saplings under canopies of Masson pine stands growing on acidified soil may be an important measure of forest transformation in the future. But on the other hand, liming is an effective practice to alleviate damage of soil acidification to Masson pine forests. In 2004, we established permanent plots limed with 0 (unlimed control), 1, 2, 3, and 4 t ha−1 limestone powder in an acid-damaged (>25 % defoliation) Masson pine stand mixed with S. superba saplings in Chongqing, and observed positive responses of Masson pine growth 8 years after liming. In 2015 we conducted an investigation to assess the effects of liming on the health and growth of young S. superba trees under the canopy of this stand. The results showed that compared to the unlimed control, liming increased pH, exchangeable calcium (Ca), and Ca/Al molar ratio, but decreased exchangeable aluminum (Al) in the 0–20 cm mineral soil layer. As a result, length densites of living fine roots of the young S. superba trees increased, while their defoliation decreased. Over 11 years, mean height increment of the S. superba trees increased from 3.7 m in the unlimed control to 3.8, 4.0, 4.7, and 5.9 m in the 1, 2, 3, and 4 t ha−1 lime treatments, and their mean basal diameter (5 cm above the ground) increment increased from 2.4 to 2.7, 3.2, 3.9, and 4.9 cm, respectively. Liming favored the transformation of the Masson pine stand. These effects rose with increasing dose.

Light Regime Under Eucalyptus deglupta as Hedgerows and its Effect on Intercropped Zea mays

The study uses randomized complete block design in determining the light regime under 7 year old Eucalyptus deglupta as hedgerows with Zea mays underneath. The result shows that the mean Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) was highest at 1200 hr. and lowest at 1500 hr. across treatments (Eucalyptus hedgerows) and cropping season. The solar radiation in the 1x3m and 1x9m hedgerow spacing were lowered by 56% and 46%, respectively compared to the sole maize plot across growing period and cropping season. The total mean height and diameter increment of Eucalyptus at the end of the study (two cropping season) were not significantly different. The canopy diameter of Eucalyptus in the wider hedgerow spacing is more spacious than that of the narrow spacing. The grain yield of maize was found higher in sole maize plot than that of the hedgerow treatment. However, the yield is not statistically difference. In agroforestry, light management powers the long-term sustainability and enhances socio-economic profitability of the system. These can be done through appropriate and systematic designs of hedgerows trees that consider the temporal and sequential compatibility of the hedges with the alley crops.

Growth Performance of Three Indigenous Tree Species (Cratoxylum arborescens Vahl. Blume, Alstonia spathulata Blume, and Stemonurus scorpioides Becc.) Planted at Burned Area in Klias Peat Swamp Forest, Beaufort, Sabah, Malaysia

&lt;p&gt;The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth performance of three indigenous tree species planted under open area planting technique of burned area at Klias Peat Swamp Forest, Beaufort, Sabah. Three indigenous tree species was used in this study, namely are &lt;em&gt;Cratoxylum arborescens&lt;/em&gt; (Vahl) Blume (Geronggang), &lt;em&gt;Alstonia spathulata&lt;/em&gt; Blume (Pulai), and &lt;em&gt;Stemonurus scorpioides&lt;/em&gt; Becc. (Katok). A total of 45 seedlings for each species were examined using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with spacing of 3mx3m. Data collection for height, diameter, and survivality was recorded every two weeks within 10 weeks period from the seedlings was planted. Results from this study showed, the growth performance of Geronggang species was much better than the Pulai species, while all the Katok seedlings were died after week 6 in this experiment. The Geronggang species had the average mean height increment of 24.17 cm and average mean diameter increment of 2.76 mm, while Pulai species had average mean height increment of 9.36 cm and average mean diameter increment with 1.86 mm. For the survivality results, it showed that the Geronggang species had the highest survivality rate at 93.33% and Pulai species with 86.67%. There was a significant difference in term of relative height growth rate between Geronggang and Pulai species. However, there was no significant difference in term of relative diameter growth rate at significant level of P ≤ 0.05. The findings indicates that Geronggang and Pulai are suitable to be planted at burned area in Klias peat swamp forest for the purpose of reforestation using open area planting technique, while the Katok species is not suitable due to environment consideration. The better growth performance of the Geronggang and Pulai species are because they can easily adapted with the open area planting at the study site.&lt;/p&gt;

Estimation of heritability and genetic gain in height growth in Ceiba pentandra

Ceiba pentandra (L.) has been selected for plantation establishment in Ghana under the National Forest Plantation Development Programme of Ghana (NFPDP). This has led to a rise in demand for its seedlings for large scale commercial plantation establishments with seed of C. pentandra being collected from the wild and used to raise seedlings to meet the demands of the programme. The primary purpose of most of these plantations is timber with height growth as one of the key economic traits. However, there is relatively inefficient information available on the heritability and genetic gain in height growth in C. pentandra based on which selection and subsequent breeding could be made. This poses a major challenge to the production of new cultivars for the forestry industry of Ghana. The current study looked at the estimation of narrow sense heritability (h2) and genetic gain in height growth in C. pentandra using 37 accessions from Ghana. Narrow sense heritability was 0.56 and genetic gain in height ranged from -52.82 to 37.30 cm/yr. Twenty-two (22) accessions (59.46%) had mean height increment above the overall mean performance and were recommended for conservation as seed trees. The results were discussed in relation with the conservation of C. pentandra genetic resources and the potential of accessions for high genetic gains. Key words: Ceiba pentandra, narrow sense heritability, genetic gain, height growth, stem dieback disease.

Light Regime Under Eucalyptus Deglupta As Hedgerows and Its Effect on Intercropped Zea Mays

The study uses randomized complete block design in determining the light regime under 7 year old Eucalyptus deglupta as hedgerows with Zea mays underneath. The result shows that the mean Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) was highest at 1200 hr. and lowest at 1500 hr. across treatments (Eucalyptus hedgerows) and cropping season. The solar radiation in the 1x3m and 1x9m hedgerow spacing were lowered by 56% and 46%, respectively compared to the sole maize plot across growing period and cropping season. The total mean height and diameter increment of Eucalyptus at the end of the study (two cropping season) were not significantly different. The canopy diameter of Eucalyptus in the wider hedgerow spacing is more spacious than that of the narrow spacing. The grain yield of maize was found higher in sole maize plot than that of the hedgerow treatment. However, the yield is not statistically difference. In agroforestry, light management powers the long-term sustainability and enhances socio-economic profitability of the system. These can be done through appropriate and systematic designs of hedgerows trees that consider the temporal and sequential compatibility of the hedges with the alley crops.

Long-term effects of liming on health and growth of a Masson pine stand damaged by soil acidification in Chongqing, China.

In the last decades, the Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forests in Chongqing, southwest China, have increasingly declined. Soil acidification was believed to be an important cause. Liming is widely used as a measure to alleviate soil acidification and its damage to trees, but little is known about long-term effects of liming on the health and growth of declining Masson pine forests. Soil chemical properties, health condition (defoliation and discoloration), and growth were evaluated following application of limestone powder (0 (unlimed control), 1, 2, 3, and 4 t ha−1) in an acidified and declining Masson pine stand at Tieshanping (TSP) of Chongqing. Eight years after liming, in the 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm mineral soil layers, soil pH values, exchangeable calcium (Ca) contents, and Ca/Al molar ratios increased, but exchangeable aluminum (Al) levels decreased, and as a result, length densities of living fine roots of Masson pine increased, with increasing dose. Mean crown defoliation of Masson pines (dominant, codominant and subdominant pines, according to Kraft classes 1–3) decreased with increasing dose, and it linearly decreased with length densities of living fine roots. However, Masson pines (Kraft classes 1–3) in all treatments showed no symptoms of discoloration. Mean current-year twig length, twig dry weight, needle number per twig, needle length per twig, and needle dry weight per twig increased with increasing dose. Over 8 years, mean height increment of Masson pines (Kraft classes 1–3) increased from 5.5 m in the control to 5.8, 6.9, 8.3, and 9.5 m in the 1, 2, 3, and 4 t ha−1 lime treatments, and their mean DBH (diameter at breast height) increment increased from 3.1 to 3.2, 3.8, 4.9, and 6.2 cm, respectively. The values of all aboveground growth parameters linearly increased with length densities of living fine roots. Our results show that liming improved tree health and growth, and these effects increased with increasing dose.

Effect of climatic factors on height increment of Scots pine in experimental plantation in Kalsnava, Latvia

Effects of climatic factors on tree growth are usually determined by analysis of various tree-ring parameters thus focusing on secondary growth. Relationships between climatic factors and height (primary) growth of trees, which is important parameter in forestry and has been linked with geography of species, is poorly studied, mainly due to laborious gathering of data. However, several studies dealing with height growth of Scots pine in Finland showed that climatic factors have a strong effect on height growth. Thus height increment of trees also appears as a valuable proxy for climatological studies.Relationships between height growth of Scots pine in two experimental plantations (local provenance and diallel hybridization experiment) in eastern part of Latvia and climatic factors was determined by dendrochronological techniques. Similarity of high frequency variation of annual height increment (HI) between trees in each plantation was determined by PCA. Effects of climatic factors were determined by correlation analysis. For each plantation two groups of trees were distinguished. These groups showed slight differences in high-frequency variation HI. Height growth of trees from diallel hybridization experiment was sensitive to temperature in early spring and precipitation in dormant period; however, differences in significant climatic factors were observed between groups. Groups distinguished for local provenance experiment differed by mean HI. Both groups showed sensitivity to temperature in May and precipitation in previous July and September; however, fast growing trees showed higher correlation coefficients and additional sensitivity to summer and seasonal amounts of precipitation. As the distinguished groups consisting of trees from different origin or with hybridization patterns, thus the differences in height-growth-climate relationships apparently might be related with individuality of tree growth or different functional traits of trees.