Abstract

This study examines the growth and physiological characteristics of Hopea odorata growing under waterlogging
condition. H. odorata was selected as it is widely planted as urban landscape tree species which experienced some growth
stresses. Two waterlogging treatments and a control were designed. Forty 5-year old saplings each were subjected to
waterlogged condition for 30 days which were then allowed to recover for a further 30 days as Treatment 1 (T1) and
waterlogged condition for 60 days as Treatment 2 (T2). Aboveground and belowground biomass including leaf area was
determined before and at 30 and 60 days of study. The net photosynthesis (Anet), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration
rate per unit leaf area (EL) and leaf to air vapour pressure deficit (????W) were assessed weekly for 60 days. The results
showed that there were no significant differences between treatments for all growth attributes. There were also no
significant reductions of these attributes found within treatments throughout the experimental period. Furthermore, no
significant effects were observed in gas exchange variables. The results demonstrate that severe waterlogged condition
did not affect the physiology of H. odorata. These findings add to the increasing evidences that H. odorata is a flood as
well as a pollution tolerance species that ensuring it to survive and grow well in urban areas by regulating the partitioning
strategies.

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