Prediction Model for Thirteen Tree Species Suitable for Agro-forestry Systems in the Himalaya

Abstract

Tree provide nutritious fodder for live-stock during periods of scarce forage in the Himalayas. The leaf fodder of some trees is almost as nutritious as that of leguminous crop. The forage potential from trees is appreciated by people living in billy areas of the Himalayas. The fodder yield from a tree is presenlly estimated after harvesting (or cutting or chopping down) the trees. Therefore, an attempt has been made to establish a relalionship of the forage yield of thirteen tree species, of indeterminate age, by developing suitable prediction model using the d.b.h. (diameter at breast height) or crown diameters as predictors. The studies indicate that the quadratic prediction mode of leaf (branch yield with two variables (d.b.h. and crown diameter) were suitable perdictors of leaf/branch yield in all thirteen species studied.