Growth response of three forest seedlings to iron exposure

Abstract

Fe is one of the microessential plants needed in low concentrations. The purpose of this study was to examine the growth response of three forest seedlings to iron exposure in water culture media. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with Fe dose treatment and consisted of 9 levels, namely 0, 0.5, 0.1, 1.5, and 2, with 3 replications each and each replication consisting of 3 plant units. The plants used consisted of Ochroma bicolor, Shorea macrophylla, and Senna siamea. The results of this study showed that Fe exposure treatment had a significant effect on the three seedlings on all growth parameters (height, root length, root dry weight, shoots, and total dry weight). Increasing the concentration of Fe can reduce all growth parameters. The three seedlings have different tolerance levels. Fe exposure treatment had a significant effect on the SPAD index only on O. bicolor and S. seamea seedlings. S. macrophylla seedlings had the highest tolerance index value compared to the other two seedlings. This indicated that S. macrophylla seedlings had higher resistance than the other two seedlings to Fe exposure.