Growth performance of Malaysian tropical trees under different light regimes

Growth and survival rates of indigenous Malaysian tree species were monitored between December 1996 and December 1997 following their establishment in an experimental farm in Universiti Putra Malaysia. The species studied consisted of 21 tree species ranging from large emergent trees to shrubs and from pioneer to climax trees and also one liana species. The mean relative growth rate of height of all species studied was 0.0012 cm cm(-1) day(-1) and the mortality rate was 26.1%. Macaranga hypoleuca showed the highest relative growth rate and Caesalpinia sappan exhibit the highest survival rate. Pioneer species favored a high light intensity and showed high growth and mortality rates. On the contrary, climax species had low growth and mortality rates. A partial shading condition was favored by some climax species. These results indicate that optimum light conditions varied between the species, suggesting that the selection of species to plant with respect to the light condition of a focal planting site needs to be considered for the successful end of a plantation program.