Growth performance of Intsia palembanica planted under Pterocymbium javanicum after one year of planting

Intsia palembanica is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to the risk of facing extinction due to deforestation. This slow growing heavy hardwood species is depleting in the natural forests but the demand of this tree species is very high in the timber market. Therefore, a trial plantation conducted at Ladang Ragut 3, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor to evaluate the growth performance of Intsia palembanica under the canopy of Pterocymbium javanicum. This study was conducted over a period of six months of which total height, and diameter were recorded. This study consisted two blocks with the different canopy development of P. javanicum with the percentage of light penetration about 40% at Block 1 and 80% at Block 2. Each tree was planted at spacing 1.5 x 2.5 m. Based on the independent sample T-test result, the growth parameters of I. palembanica for both Block 1 and Block 2 showed significant difference (p< 0.05) with trees on Block 1 exhibited higher diameter and height increment. This result indicates that the trees are more adapted to shaded area