Santhoshkumar, A VSamom, Khelen SinghKAU2019-11-152019-11-152008http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810135375PGStudies on the effects of light quality, quantity and nutrient deficiency on the growth of sandal seedlings were conducted in College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the year 2006-2008. Radioisotopic study to understand the transfer of photosynthates from the host plants to sandal seedlings and anatomical studies of sandal haustoria were also taken up during the investigation. Sandal seedlings had better shoot growth parameters (viz. shoot length, collar diameter and leaf number), root growth parameters (viz. root length and number of secondary roots), biomass production and chlorophyll content under shaded condition and green light quality when different light qualities and quantities are taken into consideration individually. Sandal seedlings also had better rate of photosynthesis under shaded condition. As far as different light qualities are concerned, rate of photosynthesis was better under red and green light qualities. Generally, the combination of 50 per cent shade and green light quality was found to give the maximum values of different growth parameters and chlorophyll content in leaves of sandal seedlings. The combinations of 50 per cent shade and red light quality and 25 per cent shade and blue light quality were found to be the best with regard to rate of photosynthesis in sandal seedlings at the end of the study period Characteristic deficiency symptoms produced by seedlings due to deficiency of N, P and K include yellowing of older leaf tips, formation of brown spots in leaves and change in leaf colouration, curling of leaves and stunting of growth. The seedlings that received complete nutrient solution were healthy with dark green foliage. Vegetative growth of the seedlings was also found to be affected due to the nutrient stress. Nitrogen deficient seedlings showed a decline in all the fractions of chlorophyll during the study period. Visual deficiency symptoms of the nutrient elements also coincided with a corresponding reduction in foliar levels of the concerned element. Radioisotopic study showed that transfer of photosynthates takes place from the host plants to sandal seedlings and the amount of transfer varies from one host species to another host species. Anatomical studies showed that sandal roots can establish close vascular connections with host roots through haustoria.ennullThesis