Effect of stump diameter thickness and nutrient management on shoot growth attributes of Pterocarpus santalinus Linn f

JAGADISH RAMAPPA NAYAK; S. R. KAREEKATTI; RAMESH S. RATHOD; GIRISH B. SHAHAPURMATH; B. L. CHETHAN

doi:10.61475/JFS.2025.v38i4.31

JAGADISH RAMAPPA NAYAK Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
S. R. KAREEKATTI Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
RAMESH S. RATHOD Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
GIRISH B. SHAHAPURMATH Department of Forest Resource Management, College of Forestry, Sirsi University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
B. L. CHETHAN Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61475/JFS.2025.v38i4.31

Keywords: Nutrient management, Pterocarpus santalinus, Seedling growth, Stump diameter

Abstract

Pterocarpus santalinus (Red Sanders) is a rare and highly valued hardwood tree native to the Eastern Ghats of southern India. Its rich red heartwood is widely used in furniture, musical instruments and traditional medicine. Successfulestablishment of this species depends greatly on early seedling growth, which is influenced by factors such as stumpdiameter and nutrient availability. A study was conducted at the Gudagur Forest Nursery, Haveri District, to assess theeffects of stump diameter thickness and nutrient management on seedling growth attributes of Pterocarpus sanatlinus. Theexperiment followed a factorial randomized block design with three main treatments and eight sub-treatments each replicatedthree times. Results indicated that stumps with a diameter greater than 5 mm significantly enhanced seedling performance. Among nutrient treatments, the combination of 0.5 g NPK per seedling along with 33 g poultry manure per seedling showedthe most positive effect on plant height and collar diameter. The study concludes that selecting stumps larger than 5 mm andapplying balanced nutrient doses can significantly improve the early growth and vigor of P. santalinus seedlings. Thesefindings are important for nursery practices and plantation establishment, emphasizing the role of appropriate stumpselection and nutrient management in promoting healthy and productive Red Sanders plantations.