Germination and Growth Behaviour of Seedlings of Emblica ofƒicinalis Gaertn under Different Light and Nutrient Regimes in Field Conditions
Emblica officinalis Gaertn. is an important non-timber forest product plant which is known in improving livelihood of the people of north-east India. This plant is widely used in the Indian system of medicines and believed to increase the body immunity against diseases. A trial was made to assess the initial growth performance of seedlings of E. officinalis under three light regimes viz. Open-100% ambient sunlight (FAL), partial-80% ambient sunlight (PAL) and deep shade-40% ambient sunlight (DAL) and four nutrient conditions (NPK, saw dust biochar, cowdung and untreated) during a 3-months period in the Department of Forestry Mizoram University, Mizoram India. After 12 weeks of exposure to different light regimes and nutrient conditions, initial growth parameters of the seedlings like number of leaves, shoot length, root length, biomass and vigour index measured in order to understand the best growth conditions for the plant. The results reveal that seed germination and other growth parameters were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by light regimes and nutrient treatments. The seedling height, number of leaves, shoot length, root length and biomass was significantly higher under FAL. All growth parameters including seed germination were poor under DAL.