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Effect of seed source, light, and nitrogen levels on biomass and nutrient allocation pattern in seedlings of Pongamia pinnata

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Abstract

Nitrogen (N) and light are critical determinants of plant growth and productivity. The present study attempts to quantify the underlying mechanisms and effects of light, N levels, and seed source on growth, biomass, nutrient allocations, and nutrient use efficiencies (NUEs) in seedlings of Pongamia pinnata. The differential and fixed hypothesis and isometric and allometric relationships were also examined. Six morphologically superior seed sources of P. pinnata from three contrasting agro-climatic conditions of India were evaluated with application of two levels of both N (low dose @ 5g plant−1 and 15 g plant−1) and light regimes (full light-100% and low light-50%) in mother nursery. Among the seed sources, the native Raipur seed source was found outstanding in growth, biomass, and nutrient use efficiency. N was more critical than light in promoting growth in seedlings of P. pinnata. High N and high light regimes increased shoot/root ratios. The components showed allometric growth and followed a differential allocation pattern. The exploitation of suitable genetic resources combined with managerial interventions is necessary for development of quality planting stock of P. pinnata. Nutrient use efficiencies, biomass production, and their allocation were important indicators and criteria for selection. The study suggests that Raipur and Jabalpur seed sources having high NUE should be grown along with adequate N application (15 g plant−1) and light conditions.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study is part of Dissertation of GRS and available in Krishikosh: Institutional Repository of National Agricultural Research and Education System (NARES) of India https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in

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Acknowledgments

The field support rendered by the state forest departments of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana states is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are also thankful to internal reviewers for valuable suggestions for improving the manuscript.

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Angul, Odisha, India

    Gyana Ranjan Sahoo

  2. College of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Katghora-Korba, CG, India

    Singam Laxmana Swamy

  3. Department of Rural Technology, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur, CG, India

    Alka Mishra

  4. Department of Environmental Sciences, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, MP, India

    Tarun Kumar Thakur

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  1. Gyana Ranjan Sahoo
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  2. Singam Laxmana Swamy
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  3. Alka Mishra
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  4. Tarun Kumar Thakur
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Contributions

SLS conceived and designed the experiment; GRS conducted the experiment, collected the data, and drafted the manuscript; MS is the main contributor; TKT statistically analyzed the data and helped in the interpretation; AM helped in the graphics, presentation of results, and plagiarism checking. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Singam Laxmana Swamy.

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Sahoo, G.R., Swamy, S.L., Mishra, A. et al. Effect of seed source, light, and nitrogen levels on biomass and nutrient allocation pattern in seedlings of Pongamia pinnata. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 15005–15020 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11734-8

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