Research on the Growth of Teak (Tectona grandis) Plantation and Soil Physicochemical Properties in Different Regions

Objective To study the growth of teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) plantation and the soil physicochemical properties in different regions, so as to provide references for site selection and management of teak plantation. Methods A total of 48 sample plots with size of 20 m × 20 m in 13 year-old teak plantations were set up in Mengla of Yunnan Province, Jieyang of Guangdong Province and Sanya and Wuzhishan of Hainan Province for surveying the growth of teak and analyzing soil chemical and physical properties. Results The growth of teak in Mengla, with the average height, diameter at breast height, individual volume, stand volume of 14.4 m, 16.82 cm, 0.226 m3, and 192.0 m3·hm-2 respectively was significantly better than that in Jieyang and Hainan Province. The soil of Mengla has more silt content, higher pH, and higher base saturation than the other two sites. However, the growth of teak in Jieyang was worse than those in the other two sites due to more clay, low pH and low content of total N, total K, exchangeable Ca2+, and exchangeable Mg2+. The growth of teak has high correlation with the silt content, pH, total K, available Zn2+, available Fe2+、Fe3+, exchangeable Al3+, exchangeable Ca2+, exchangeable Mg2+ and base saturation on soils. Conclusion Teak grows better in silty loam with good drainage system than in sandy loam or heavy loam. The soil acidity has significant influence on the growth of teak. Teak would grows very poor on strong acid soil with high concentration of soil exchangeable aluminum and available iron. However,teak grows best on sites that moderately acid with high levels of total N, total K, available Zn2+, exchangeable Ca2+,exchangeable Mg2+ and base saturation.