The Effect of Light Intensity and Watering Interval on Growth and Development of Three Legume Tree Species Seedlings

Abstract

The cultivation of tree seedlings in a controlled nursery environment is essential for successful aforestation in the semi-desert region of Sudan. Light intensity and water availability are the key factor for the growth and development processes of legume tree seedlings. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of light intensity and watering interval on the growth and development of three nitrogen fixing tree seedlings (Sesbania formosa, Leuceana leucocephala and Sesbania sesban). The experiment was carried out at the nursery of Hudieba Research Station, northern Sudan in April 2020. The treatments tested were arranged in a Split-Plot design with three replicates. The studied factors were light intensity (50%, and 100%) and watering interval (3, 6 and 9 days). The measurements were taken after three months successively and different growth parameters were evaluated. Seedlings survival percentage for the three tree species in 50% light intensity under the different watering intervals ranging between (90-100%), Leucaena seedlings exhibit sensitivity to 100% light intensity during germination and growth. The results showed significant interaction effects of the two factors on stem length and nodules, root and shoot dry weight, of the three tree species. The results proved that the best combination of these factors that resulted in the recommended plant able seedling size was; 50% light intensity, watering every 3 days for L. leucocephala; 100% light intensity, watering every 3 days for S. formosa and S. sesban.