STUDIES ON CURTAILING NURSERY PERIOD IN TEAK (<em>TECTONA</em> <em>GRANDIS</em>)

Abstract

A study was carried out at the Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, India on teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) to elicit information on the optimal age and performance of container seedlings and stumps under irrigated conditions. Based on the field performance, the optimal age of container seedlings and stumps for field planting was found to be three and seven months respectively. Container seedlings had higher survival (96-100%) than stumps (58-96%) but growth (early basal diameter and shoot height increments, 0.65 cm and 23.10 cm respectively at seven months) was superior in stumps. Container seedlings were also characterised by root coiling and multiple shoot formation the management of which is not cost effective. Thus the results favour the use of stumps. Optimal size of stumps is indicated to be between 1 and 2 cm which is obtained in 7-month-old stumps.