Seedling survival and growth of Aquilaria malaccensis in different microclimatic conditions of northeast India

We studied seedling survival and growth of Aquilaria malaccensis in three different environmental conditions (homegardens, green house and in different canopy conditions) of northeast India. Results show that mean seasonal survival was highest in green house (95.53%±2.33), followed by homegardens (89.3%±1.89) and different canopy conditions (77.62%±6.73); the highest values were found during February to April for both the homegardens (96%±1.68) and green house (98% ± 0.88) and lowest during November to January (78%±2.99) in homegardens and May to July (90%±4.53) in green house. In case of transplanted seedlings in different canopy conditions, mean seasonal survival was highest during May to July (98%±1.92) and lowest during August to October (66%±12.81). However, mean seasonal growth of collar diameter was highest in different canopy conditions (23.99%±1.76 compared to green house (21.52%±2.70) and homegardens (12.44%±1.33) and it was highest during rainy season (May to July) and lowest during dry winter (November to January) in all the three experimental sites. These variations may be due to the different microclimatic conditions as well as nutrient status of the soil in all the three experimental sites. Although, seedling quality plays a great role in their survival and growth, based on the result of green house experiment, it can be concluded that maintenance of seedlings in green house conditions during their early growth period may improve both the survival and growth for large scale plantation of the species. Thus, the species can be reintroduced in its natural forest range to compensate the loss of natural population of this precious species in northeast India.