Abstract
Artificial regeneration in teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.), a high valued tropical timber species, may be achieved by transplanting seedlings. Although micronutrients are required in minute quantities, their deficiency may result in poor establishment of planted seedlings. The study was conducted at the Forest College Institute, Tamil Nadu, India, which is located at 11°19' N latitude and 77°56' E longitude at an altitude of 300 m above mean sea level. Micronutrients, viz., CuSO4, FeSO4|, MgSO4, MnSO4, and ZnSO4 each at two levels, viz., 500 and 1000 parts per million (ppm) and a control formed the treatments. Thirty-day-old naked seedlings were pricked out from the mother bed nursery and treated in micronutrient solutions for 6 h and planted in polythene pots filled with red soil (Alfisol), sand, and compost in a 3:1:1 ratio. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. Biometric observations on various growth attributes were recorded and the data were statistically analyzed. The results indicated that all micronutrients regardless of their levels had an influence on growth of seedlings in teak. A comparison of micronutrients indicated that ZnSO4 at 500 ppm produced better and heavier seedlings in teak and higher per cent survival when out planted. From the results of this study, it was concluded that teak seedlings should be treated with ZnSO4 at 500 ppm for better seedling growth and out planting survival.
