Plantation Technology for Seven Tropical Tree Species

Propagation methods developed through the present investigation includes germination of seeds in different sowing media by using fresh untreated seeds, pretreated seeds, stored seeds, artificial regeneration using root trainers and vegetative propagation using IBA in juvenile stem cuttings. Growth performance of seedlings and rooted cuttings using different potting media in the plant nursery up to three months were performed. Methods in plantation trials were standardized for the selected tree species namely Bombax ceiba, Cassia fistula, Mimusops elangi, Pongamia pinnata, Pterocarpus marsupium, Saraca asoca, and Terminalia arjuna. Coir pith, an indigenous material obtained from coconut husk which is widely and cheaply available in the state of Kerala, and other parts of the Peninsular India has been established as a remarkably good sowing media for germination, a substitute for vermiculite or peat for rooting of cuttings and also was found good as growth media for seedlings and rooted cuttings. In all the seven-study species germination data, rooting data, rooting of cutting data and growth data were analysed using statistical methods.