Effect of Bentonite on the Early Growth Characteristics of Teak Seedlings Planted in Sandy Soil in Northeast Thailand—A Pilot Study

Abstract

The growth of teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) seedlings in sandy soil in northeast Thailand is suppressed by infertility and drought stress. In a preliminary field pot experiment, we confirmed that bentonite was useful for increasing soil water availability. To monitor early growth characteristics of teak seedlings in sandy soil, we curried out an experiment of teak seedlings using bentonite and fertilizer in the field from July 2014 to November 2015. We then compared the growth, biomass, photosynthetic rate, leaf water potential, and concentration of elements in the plant organs among the four treatments. Bentonite increased both soil pH and Ca during the experimental period, and retained P in fertilizer. The dry mass of teak seedlings was markedly increased by concurrent use of bentonite and fertilizer. However, the use of bentonite alone showed little increase of dry mass of teak seedlings. Moreover, application of bentonite was mitigated drought stress in dry season, and photosynthetic rate showed high value by high concentration of chlorophyll. The concentration of K in root of teak seedlings was increased by application of bentonite, and its value showed positive correlation with the relative growth rate of teak seedlings. We concluded that bentonite was useful for the uptake of K and retention of P in fertilizer, as a result, growth of teak seedlings was accelerated.