TITLE:
Ameliorative Effect of Shade on Seedling Growth—Evidence from Field Experiment of Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Willd
AUTHORS:
Nurul Iman Suansa, Hamad A. Al-Mefarrej
KEYWORDS:
Vachellia farnesiana, Underplanting, Shade Tolerance, Ameliorative Effect
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.10 No.1,
January
8,
2019
ABSTRACT: The
presence of species diversity in the ecosystem is an important aspect. Simply
put, the loss of biodiversity and the formation of ecosystems into monocultures
would reduce the productivity of the forest ecosystem than it has abundant
diversity. This study conducted with a purpose to get the basic information
regarding the effect of shade on the seedling growth. Understanding these
relationships in the early years may reveal the important information, which
will be helpful for managing and evaluating the silviculture practices. The
study was conducted at Dirab Experiments and Agricultural Research Station,
South of Riyadh. The experimental plot was managed under the corridor of Eucalyptus
camaldulensis stands. Twenty seedlings of Vachellia
farnesiana with
relative similar height and diameter were planted in each block at a 5 × 5 m2 spacing in March 2017. Three different treatments were established and relatively
categorized into Line 1 (without shade), Line 2 (shade until 09:00 a.m.), and
Line 3 (shade until 11:00 a.m.). Eight months after planting, several morphological
parameters were monthly assessed from November 2017 until April 2018. Also, the
number of fruits was observed following the fruit’s season. Seedling growth
variation as an effect of shading occurred between the lines of planting in
this experiment. The seedling growth was significantly increased by shading
treatment, even though target plant species (V.
farnesiana) is
categorized as intolerant species. Basically, shade helps to generate the
favorable local environment for supporting plant growth. This treatment with an
appropriate consideration might become an alternative practice for increasing
plant productivity.