PERFORMANCE OF <em>SHOREA</em> <em>TRAPEZIFOLIA</em> (THWAITES) ASHTON SEEDLINGS GROWING IN DIFFERENT LIGHT REGIMES

Abstract

Fruits were collected from four parent trees of Shorea trapezifolia (Thwaites) Ash. in wet evergreen rain forest of southwest Sri Lanka. They were planted in block design with two light treatments (partial shade 1000 umols m^-2s^-1 ; full sun 2000 umol m^-2s^-1). Measurements were made over a two year period. Seedlings in partial shade grew significantly taller than those in full sun. Significant height differences also exist between seedlings of differing parent trees. Seedlings showed no difference in number of leaves between partial shade and sun or between parent trees. Taller seedlings had more leaves than shorter seedlings irrespective of light treatment. Rate of flushing of seedlings growing in different light regimes was found to be approximately the same. Flushing was correlated to age and an age prediction table was constructed. These results are proposed as a basis for a method of evaluating Shorea advanced regeneration for use in forest management.