Root Studies in a <I>Eucalyptus</I> Hybrid Plantation at Various Ages

Abstract

Radial and vertical distribution of root biomass (gm) of Eucalyptus hybrid trees at early (2 and 3 yrs) and advanced age (6 and 7 yrs) were studied. The total root biomass decreased continuously with increasing radial distances from the tree base of all the soil depths. At early ages, the roots of the trees were mostly concentrated near the base of the trees but in later ages the root system tended to proliferate uniformly around the trees, The total root biomass decreased continuously with increasing soil depth at all the radial distances and under all the age groups. At the age of 2 and 3 years the total biomass of medium (0.5 - 1.5 cm dia.) roots was higher than other root grades. But at the age of 6 and 7 years the total biomass of thick roots was much higher than other root grades.