Induction of Shoot Growth in Teak (Tectona grandis L. F.) During Dormancy Periods

Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is the most important timber yielding tree of the Indian Peninsula and has got world wide reputation due to its high grade timber quality. With ever increasing demand for its timber, it has become the need to expand Teak plantations even in regions outside its natural occurrence. Thus in recent times, Teak is being planted on commercial scale both in agricultural and marginal lands. The success of Teak cultivation greatly depends on the productivity of Teak trees which in turn is determined by the magnitude of their annual growth. Teak is a tropical deciduous tree and apparently exhibits seasonal variations in growth. Generally Teak trees remain leafless in winter and become dormant in their growth. Further, they also become leafless or exhibit dry nature of foliage during dry spells in summer and show apparent decrease in growth. Such seasonal variation in growth often observed in Teak is a result of interaction of its physiological processes with the environmental factors. Knowledge of shoot growth in Teak and the mechanism of its regulation by internal and environmental factors is most important to understand key factors underlying seasonal variations in their shoot growth. Therefore, this paper is intended to explain briefly the regulation of shoot growth by internal and environmental factors and further, to explain possibilities to induce shoot growth during dormancy periods for the benefit of those growing Teak and also for the expansion of forestry and agroforestry.