Organic Productivity and Mineral Cycling in Plantations of <I>Populus deltoides</I> in Tarai Region of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Componentwise biomass production and cycling of minerals in five different aged plantations of Poplus deltoides have been discussed. Correlation coefficient and regression models were worked out separately for each biomass component, total above-ground biomass and total biomass. Linear regression analysis was carried out. The predictor variable D.B.H. and D²H were tried. Correlation coefficients obtained were found to be highly significant in both the cases. Easily measurable parameter D.B.H. has been used in this paper. The total above-ground biomass of these stands ranges between 27 t/ha to 192 t/ha. Maximum amount of N, P, K and Mg were contained in bole while higbest accumulation of Ca was observed in bark. A total of 1354, 1942, 2888 and 2472 kg/ha of litter was produced annuany at ages 3, 5, 7 and 9 years respectively. Of the total annual litter, lear contributed maximum between 69.5% to 85.2%. The cycling of mineral through litter ran has also been discussed.