Relative Growth Rate of Tree Seedlings in Mixed Coniferous Forest of Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

The relative growth rate (RGR) is a significant attribute of plant species strategies. Species with high growth rate are more competitive in access to more resources while that with low growth rates are more conservative with limited resources. Relative growth rate (RGR) of trees particularly slows down with the increase in size of a tree because large allocation to structural material of the trunk required holding photosynthetic material up in the canopy. A new approach is to separate size effects from intrinsic growth difference is implemented. To find out the relative growth rate this study was conducted in the mixed coniferous forest of swat Pakistan. Total hundred plots were selected at different ecological zones in which quadrates size 20x20 meter were selected. Growth rate, RGR per year and per month was measured. The highest growth rate was that of Cedrus deodara 29.27% per year. The highest relative growth rate (RGR) per year was that of Pinus roxburghii 1.41 g g⁻¹ y⁻¹.The RGR per month was also measured and the highest was that of Pinus roxburghii 0.118 g g⁻¹ m⁻¹. Relative growth rate (height and diameter) was calculated for all the species found in the study area. Promote the sustainable utilization of tree species, (Cedrus deodara and Abies pindrow) for local consumption and other commercial purpose that may be envisaged in the future from the natural forest