Performance of Seventeen Different Multipurpose Tree Species Under Semi Arid Region of Central India

Abstract

A field screening trial of seventeen different multi-purpose tree species was conducted with the objective to identify best adaptable species with desirable characters that could be used in various afforestation, Agroforestry and Social Forestry programmes for semi-arid regions of Central India. The species evaluated were Azadirachta indica, Bauhinia variegata, Eucalyptus F.R.I.-4, Albizia procera, emblica officinalis, Pongamia pinnata, Gmelina arborea, Dalbergia sissoo, Dendrocalamus strictus, Albizia lebbek, Eucalyptus F.R.I.-5, Acacia benthami, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia auriculiformis, Tectono grandis, and Acacia catechu, Results suggested that Gmelina arborea, Azadirachta indica and Leucaena leucocephala were among the fastest growing species with maximum MAI (Mean Annual Increment) making them promising candidate, for Agro and Social Forestry plantations. Acacia catechu, Albizia procera, Bauhinia variegata, Tectona grandis and Acacia benthami showed slow growth. Tectona grandis and gmelina arborea species were found to be promising species for maximum survival. However Eucalyptus F.R.I.-5,Acacia auriculiformis and Bauhinia variegata are poorly adapted to the region (on the basis of survival).