Growth Behaviour of some Tree Species in High Density Plantation in Mid-hills of Western Himalayas

Abstract

The study was conducted in mid-hill conditions of Palampur in the Indian Western Himalayas with objective to develop agrotechniques for fast growing fuel-wood species. At 24 months after planting (MAP), the effect of fertilizers was more evident in terms of vertical growth than radial growth. The plant height showed an increasing trend with increase in doses of fertilizer. The maximum plant height was recorded in Eucalyptus hybrid followed by Populus deltoides, while Salix tetrasperma showed the poorest vertical growth (Table 4). In terms of stem diameter, Eucalyptus hybrid was the best species followed by Grevillea robusta and Trewia nudiflora (Table 5). Application of N:P₂O₅:K₂O::150:75:75 kg/ha provided thicker stem in comparison of the lower fertilizer doses. At 36 MAP, G. robusta produced significantly highest vertical growth followed by Jacaranda acutifolia and Eucalyptus hybrid, while Bauhinia variegata showed significantly highest radial growth followed by Eucalyptus and G. robusta. In all the species, excepting G. robusta, Toona ciliata and Morus alba, the lowest fertilizer dose (50:25:25 kg/ha) provided significantly highest vertical and radial growth rate, at 36 MAP. At 36 MAP, significantly highest fresh and dry biomass (oven dry) per plant was produced by Eucalyptus followed by G. robusta and Melia azedarach. The maximum dry weight (62%) was recorded in case of M. alba. At 72 MAP, the significantly highest fresh and dry weight per plant were recorded in Eucalyptus followed by G. robusta, T. ciliata and M. azedarach. Amongst the plants not treated with fertilizers, the highest fresh and dry weight was recorded in G. robusta planted at 1 m x 1 m spacing. The same species when planted closer at 1 m x 0.71 m spacing was comparable to Eucalyptus. Amongst all the test species, G. robusta had highest calorific value.