DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Planting stock of silver fir raised in polythene tubes in common nursery soil and forest soil were kept (in poly bags) and planted bare-rooted at age 3, 12 and 24 months, under four cover conditions in the experimental site at Kund. The survival and growth of the seedlings were monitored over time. Both 3-month-old and 12-month-old plants in polythene tubes gave best survival rate under shade in all three cover condition. Under similar condition the survival rate was comparatively low for the seeding planted directly in forest soil due to root competition. For older plants (24-month-old) both shade and root competition are less important. Height growth of young seedling (3-24 month old) is not significantly affected by shade which is however highly co-related to seedling age. Significant growth was observed even under reduced PAR (2-4% of the open) showing the extreme shade-tolerant nature of the species. Age of the planting stocks therefore, plays an important role in the initial survival, establishment and growth of the seedling in natural forests.