Abstract
Mora gonggrijpii seedlings were harvested on two soil types in small gaps and in the forest understorey. The seedlings appear to be intolerant of lateritic soil with poor drainage either as a result of poor aeration or reduction of the soil which is rich in iron and aluminium. Biomass allocation is not greatly affected on the lateritic soil as compared to the better drained sandy soil. During the initial two months light has no effect on the growth of the seedlings but soil type does. In the same period cotyledon depletion is equal, suggesting higher turnover rates or respiration rates on the poorly drained lateritic soil. From the second to the seventh month light stimulates growth, but Mora gonggrijpii seedlings are not plastic in their morphology. Leaf area remains constant during this period, and no branching is observed in the higher light environment. Specific leaf area, leaf area ration, net assimilation rate and relative growth rate are all among the lowest thus far reported for tree seedlings. Evidence is presented that these characteristics are found often in large seeded (climax) species.
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ter Steege, H. Seedling growth of Mora gonggrijpii, a large seeded climax species, under different soil and light conditions. Vegetatio 112, 161–170 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00044690
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00044690