<![CDATA[Malapari (Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre) is a potential source of bioenergy feedstock and a species suitable for land rehabilitation, making the production of high-quality seedlings an important aspect of its development. Seedling growth is influenced by environmental conditions, particularly light intensity, as well as nutrient availability. This study aimed to analyze the effects of light intensity and NPK fertilizer rates on the growth of malapari seedlings and to determine treatments that support optimal seedling growth. The experiment was conducted using a factorial design with two light intensity levels, 100% and 50%, as the first factor and three NPK fertilizer rates, 0, 4, and 8 g/plant, as the second factor. The observed variables included plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and shoot-to-root ratio. The results showed that light intensity significantly affected plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight, but had no significant effect on the shoot-to-root ratio. Overall, malapari seedlings grown under 100% light intensity exhibited better growth than those grown under 50% light intensity. NPK fertilizer rate significantly affected only shoot dry weight. Under 100% light intensity, seedlings without NPK fertilizer had higher shoot dry weight than those receiving 8 g/plant but did not differ significantly from those receiving 4 g/plant. Under 50% light intensity, 4 g/plant NPK resulted in higher shoot dry weight than the control but did not differ significantly from 8 g/plant.]]>
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