Growth and quality of Geronggang (Cratoxylum arborescens) seedling in different types of growing mediums and containers

Abstract

Geronggang (Cratoxylum arborescens) is one of native tree species of tropical peat swamp forest which has a good potency both planted for rehabilitation and industrial purposes. Nevertheless, before this tree species can be cultivated on a large scale, much silviculture knowledge and technology must be accessible, including the technique of seedling propagation. This study evaluated the growth and quality of geronggang seedlings grown in different mediums and containers. The seedling was grown in topsoil (M1) and peat (M2) medium with three containers (C1 = plastic pot (volume (v) = 120 mL); C2 = plastic pot (v = 300 mL) and C3 = polybag (v = 400 mL)). As the control, the seedling was also grown in topsoil + compost medium combined with polybag (M3C3). Growth (height (H), collar diameter (D), and biomass) and morphological ((shoot/root (S/R), D/H) and Dickson quality index (DQI)) attributes of the seedling and medium properties were observed. Peat medium had better results than topsoil (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the seedlings grown in peat medium had the highest performance. M2W3 was the treatment with adequate quality to be outplanted at nine months, with H, D, S/R, H/D, and DQI were 25.4 cm, 3.6 mm, 6.94, 1.37, and 0.36, respectively. The results indicated that using peat alone as a medium in geronggang seedling propagation was relatively time-consuming.