Impact of Soil pH on Germination of Gmelina arborea Genetic Resources | InformativeBD

Ma Visitacion D Guingab, and Josamay I Baňares,  from the different institute of the Philippines. wrote a research article about, Impact of Soil pH on Germination of Gmelina arborea Genetic Resources. Entitled, Germination response of ten genetic resource materials of Gmelina arborea Roxb. to soil pH. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences (IJB). an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the germination response of ten genetic resource materials of yemane (Gmelina arborea Roxb.) to acidic and alkaline soil germination media. Results of the study reveal significant differences between two germination media and between 10 mother trees on germination capacity and germination energy. However, there was no interactive effect observed between soil pH levels and mother trees in all aspects of the germination parameters. Acidic soil (pH 6.8) outperformed alkaline soil (pH 7.5) in percent germination (49.4% and 44.40%, respectively) and germination energy (43% and 42%, respectively) but no significant differences on the latter parameter. Germination time is significantly different between two germination media with the lowest germination time of 16 days in alkaline soil and 19 days in acidic soil. The best genetic resource materials for yemane in terms of percent germination capacity and germination energy were Mother Tree 4 (80%) and Mother Tree 3 (78%). On the other hand, the fastest to germinate was Mother Tree 10 with 13.8 days germination time. The information provided contributes to the scanty scientific knowledge on the silviculture of Gmelina arborea Roxb. specifically in establishing a protocol for seed germination.

 

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Introduction

Gmelina arborea Roxb. (Fig. 1) locally known as Yemane is an introduced tree species originated from Myanmar to the Philippines in the 1960’s particularly in Nueva Vizcaya Province of Luzon Island. It is believed to have diffused to the adjacent provinces in the north to Visayas and Mindanao Islands in the south. The fast-growing species is being used for the national greening program, industrial tree plantations and other reforestation programs in the country.

The high demand for wood and wood products in the country had increased in recent years and industrial tree plantations were established to augment the supply of these materials to fulfill domestic needs. The introduction of exotic species is a fall back to conserve the remaining commercial indigenous species that are threatened due to rampant illegal logging activities. In the case of yemane, the availability of seed sources was considered to be generally poor in quality and quantity to support large-scale industrial tree plantations and reforestation programs. Neither is efforts made on species and provenance testing sufficient to fulfill future demands. Good nursery techniques require careful attention to details especially from seed sources and pre-seed treatment towards plant growth and development.

In this study, the effect of soil pH on the germination of ten mother trees of yemane was investigated to establish a protocol for the propagation of the species. Specifically, it aimed a) to determine the best germination media for yemane, and b) to determine the best genetic resource material for seedling production. The parameters used were germination capacity, germination energy and mean germination time.

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Source : Germination response of ten genetic resource materials of Gmelina arborea Roxb. to soil pH