Seed Population Dynamics and Early Seedling Growth of <i>Albizia chinensis</i> (Osbeck) Merr. in the Forests of Humid Subtropics of India

Abstract

Understanding seed population dynamics is essential for recognizing shifts in species composition during ecosystem restoration. Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. is a tropical fast‐growing tree species, widely cultivated in community forests and plantations, and is well adapted to a low fertility soil. This study aimed at estimating seed production, dispersal, and fate of the seed population (disappearance and germination at varying distance from the mother tree) and related early seedlings growth performance to microclimate variables. The findings revealed that seed production of A. chinensis varied significantly ( p &lt; 0.001) among individual trees and showed a positive correlation between number of branches, inflorescences, crown height, and crown diameter with seed production. However, seed dispersal exhibited a strong negative correlation with dispersal distance from the mother tree ( r = −92) with significant differences among individual trees ( p &lt; 0.05). We found that most seeds fell directly beneath the mother tree and seed disappearance declined as distance from the mother tree increased. Seedling height showed strong positive correlations with soil temperature, moisture, and humidity, and these variables also exhibited positive correlations with seedling diameter. We found that seedling growth (height and diameter) increments significantly varied between months ( p &lt; 0.05). The findings of this study could help in restoration, management and conservation of A. chinensis in tropical areas. Importantly, this research represents the first comprehensive study on seed production dynamics and microclimate seedling interaction of A. chinensis in Northeast India, thereby filling a critical knowledge gap. Future research should focus on understanding the alternative seed production strategies in the species and their relation to biotic and abiotic factors.