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ThesisItem Open Access Effect of microbial consortium (Bio-fertilizer) on growth and nutrient uptake of Poplar clones in nursery(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Gurinder Singh; Avtar SinghThe present study “Effect of microbial consortium (Biofertilizer) on growth and nutrient uptake by poplar clones in nursery” was conducted in teaching area, Department of Forestry and Natural resources, PAU, Ludhiana during the year 2015-2016. The influence of different doses of microbial consortium (biofertilizer) addition to nine different poplar clones in nursery on growth and nutrient uptake was studied. In present study different doses of biofertilizers showed the significant variation for collar diameter, leaf area, biomass accumulation, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration (%) except plant height and also revealed significant differences for accumulation of N, P and K. Study also revealed that the interaction between different doses of biofertilizers and clones shows the significant results for collar diameter, leaf area, plant height, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium concentration(%) except in plant biomass. The application of microbial consortium (biofertilizers) increases the growth parameters, and nutrient uptake in plants. Application of microbial consortium resulted in enhanced growth for most of the characters and can be applied as alternative to chemical fertilizer for enhanced growth and better nutrient uptake in Populus deltoides plants.ThesisItem Open Access Developing prediction models for biomass components of Tectona grandis L.(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Anmoldeep Singh; Saralch, Harmeet SinghThe present investigation entitled ‘DEVELOPING PREDICTION MODELS FOR BIOMASS COMPONENTS OF Tectona grandis L’ was carried out at the University Seed Farm, Ladhowal, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana during the year 2015-16. Tectona grandis belonging to family Verbenaceae is widely distributed and economically important species for timber and furniture. Species is being planted at many places in Punjab and many farmers are showing interest in the species. Keeping in view of its encouraging response under Punjab conditions, so for no biomass prediction models/equations are available to ascertain the growing stock, which will be a usually handy tool to know the biomass. The proposed study was a step formed in this direction. Among many models developed by using different tree growth parameters [Height (H), girth at breast height (GBH) and GBH2×H)], the best fit equations were found with Linear and exponential regression functions using GBH and GBH2×H parameters as independent factor with various dependent factors [total green and dry biomass (TGB & TDB), total above and below ground green (AGB & BGB) and dry biomass (ADB & BDB)]. Among developed models, the logarithm function i.e. TGB = 240.794ln GBH - 668.336 and quadratic equation TGB = 0.029GBH2+7.853GBH-53.814 with approximately the same Adj. R2 0.94 and 0.92, respectively were found best fit lines to predict total green and dry biomass of tree. Similarly, for above ground green and dry biomass, logarithm function AGB=204.418lnGBH591.945 with Adj. R2 value of 0.94 and quadratic function AGB = -0.001GBH2H+5.195GBH26.301 with Adj. R2 value of 0.93 both were found best fit to predict above ground biomass and for below dry ground green and biomass prediction. The power function BFB = 3.257GBH(0.714) with maximum Adj. R2 value of 0.71 followed by exponential function BFB = 29.668e(0.011GBH) with Adj. R2 value of 0.67 and logarithm function BFB = 43.243lnGBH-112.919 with minimum Adj. R2 value of 0.66 were significantly found best fit. Even the regression coefficient of the logarithm and quadratic function were very high but in validation these models shows less reliability in prediction for higher and lower GBH class components so we give preference to linear and exponential functions due to there more compatibility with all components in all GBH classes. Biomass expansion factor (BEF) showed decreasing trend as the range of the girth classes increased. For different GBH classes, the values of BEF ranged from 1.61 to 1.24 and with increase in girth class.ThesisItem Open Access Developing prediction models for biomass components of Gmelina arborea (Roxb.)(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2017) Krishan Kumar; Gill, R.I.S.The present investigation entitled DEVELOPING PREDICTION MODELS FOR BIOMASS COMPONENTS OF Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) was carried out at the University Seed Farm, Ladhowal, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, during the year 2015-16. Gmelina arborea (Roxb.) belongs to family Verbenaceae is a moderately fast growing, most widely distributed and economically important species for timber, fuel and pulp production. It has been introduced recently in Punjab and showing encouraging results but no biomass prediction models/equations are available to ascertain its growing stock, which usually is a handy tool to know the biomass. The proposed study was a step taken in this direction. The best fit equations were found with polynomial regression functions using DBH and DBH2*H parameters as independent factor with dependent factors as total green and dry biomass (TGB & TDB), total above and below ground green (AGB & BGB) and dry biomass (ADB & BDB). The polynomial models TGB (9558.813 DBH2 - 864.442 DBH – 57.263) and TDB (4108.320 DBH2 + 127.773 DBH + 6.375) with maximum Adj. R2 value of 0.986 and 0.973, respectively were found best fit lines to predict total green and dry biomass. Similarly for above-ground green and dry biomass the polynomial functions AGB = 7400.147 DBH2 494.264 DBH + 24.284 and ADB = -23.509 (DBH2×H)2 + 241.634 DBH2×H+ 0.571 with maximum Adj. R2 of 0.984 and 0.972 respectively were found best fit and for below-ground green and dry biomass prediction, polynomial function BFB = 2298.654 DBH2 - 427.945 DBH + 36.369 and BDB = 1187.836 DBH2 – 230.039 DBH + 20.127 with maximum Adj. R2 value of 0.952 and 0.951, respectively were found best fit. Although the regression coefficient of the linear and polynomial function was very high but in validation these models show less reliability in prediction for higher and lower DBH class components so preference was given to power functions due to there more compatibility with all components in all DBH classes. Biomass expansion factor (BEF) showed decreasing trend as the range of the girth classes increased. For different GBH classes, the values of BEF ranged from 1.36 to 1.17 and with increase in girth class, the low BEF indicated that the proportion of the stem in comparison to other parameters increased in total tree biomass.ThesisItem Open Access Assessing variation in Eucalyptus clones for morphological and physiological traits(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Navneet Kaur; Dhillon, G.P.S.The study was conducted at main experimental area of Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Fourteen clones were characterized for morphological and physiological traits. All clones had similar leaf shape i.e. lanceolate except clone PE-10. Branch habit was either upward (PE-3, PE-12, PE-7, PE-5, PE-6, PE-8, PE-11 and C-413) or perpendicular (PE-14, PE-9, PE-13, PE-4 and C-72) except in PE-10 (drooping). Leaf base shape was obtuse in clone PE-3 while all other clones had cuneate shape. Wide variations were found for all the leaf traits and number of branches. However no clear trend was noticed. The ratio of open to closed stomata was significantly variable on abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces. In second experiment, out of the four treatments- T1 (submerged conditions), T2 (30 % moisture), T3 (25% moisture) and T4 (15% moisture), T3 registered maximum plant height, collar diameter and number of branches. Significantly lowest values were found under submerged conditions. Clone C-413 showed maximum height; clones PE-11 and PE-13 recorded significantly highest collar diameter values. T3 registered the maximum values for fresh and dry biomass of branches and leaves as well as stem. Root biomass was maximum in T2. Clone PE-13 was the best for biomass of branches and leaves as well as stem. Root biomass was highest in clone PE-11. The third experiment had four treatments at 75%, 100%, 125% and 150% of the Cumulative Pan Evaporation (CPE). T2 registered the maximum values for all growth traits i.e. plant height, collar diameter and number of branches. Clone C-413 was found to be the best for plant height. PE-1 had maximum collar diameter and number of branches. T1 registered the maximum number of roots. Clone PE-1 performed best for number of roots as well as length of roots. C-2045 was the poorest performer for root traits. T2 registered maximum values for both fresh and dry biomass of branches and leaves, stem and roots. Clone PE-1 recorded maximum biomass of branches and leaves, stem as well as root. Clone C-2045 showed lowest biomass values. Under submerged conditions, clone PE-1 registered maximum biomass values. T2 registered the maximum values for photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration. Clone PE-1 was found to be the superior most for all physiological traits.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of nitrogen application on growth, biomass and quality of Salix alba nursery stock(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Sirtaj Singh; Chauhan, RajniWillows are very important tree species for the ecology and economy of countries in temperate and subtropical zones of the world. The field trials on Salix alba were conducted during 2015-16 in nursery area of Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, PAU, Ludhiana. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications, to study the effect of cutting size and nitrogen fertilizer on nursery stock of Salix alba. The data for plant height, collar diameter, number of branches, shoot biomass, root biomass, stock vigour index, sturdiness quotient and NPK level in soil and plant was recorded. Results revealed that with increasing rate of nitrogen application, a significant and progressive increase in available nitrogen was noticed in both the cutting sizes which resulted in improved nitrogen content in foliage of Salix alba. A curvilinear relationship was observed when rates of nitrogen application were regressed with total biomass yield indicating that application of 150 kg N ha-1 was adequate to get optimum yield for both the cutting sizes. This signified that Salix responded significantly to N application @ 150 kg N ha-1 and resulted in 27.66 and 76.74 per cent increase in total biomass yield of 0.50-1.50 cm and 1.51-2.50 cm cutting sizes, respectively. The growth of Salix with cutting size of 1.51-2.50 cm was found to be more superior as compared to 0.50-1.50 cm cutting size. So it is concluded that cuttings size of 1.51-2.50 cm gave better performance in all growth parameters as compared to cuttings size of 0.50-1.50 cm. Results revealed that the stock vigour index increases when nitrogen doses from 50-200 kg N/ha were applied. The impact is more noticeable from 50-150 kg N/ha rather than 150-200 kg N/ha. It can be concluded from this study that application of 150 kg N ha-1 to Salix was adequate to get optimum total biomass yield for both the cutting sizes.ThesisItem Restricted Quantification of carbon storage in biomass and soil in forest tree plantations(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2014) Shawinder Singh; Chauhan, S.K.Biomass and carbon storage in four multipurpose tree plantation over ten years were evaluated at Punjab Agricultural University Seed Farm, Ladhowal, Ludhiana. This lies at central region of Punjab. Two leguminous (Acacia catechu and Dalbergia sissoo) and two non-leguminouus (Melia azedarach and Terminalia arjuna) tree species were raised during August, 2003 in a completely randomized design. Data recorded after ten years revealed that total and component (stem, branch, leaf, bark and root) biomass among four species differed significantly. The ranking of the total plantation biomass in different tree species was in the order of Terminalia arjuna > Acacia catechu > Dalbergia sissoo > Melia azedarach. The component wise trend was in the order of stem > root > branch > leaf > bark for all the species and contributed 45.79, 27.69, 12.32, 7.72 and 6.48 % respectively, mean carbon concentration among all biomass components ranged from 40 – 48 %, with the highest carbon proportion in stem and lowest in bark. Over the study period, the dynamic pattern of biomass carbon sequestration potential of different tree species was similar to that of total biomass production. The highest carbon sequestration potential of Terminalia arjuna was about 9.54 t C ha-1 yr-1, whereas, least was accumulated in Melia azedarach (3.44 t C ha-1 yr-1). Total soil organic carbon (SOC) in surface soil (0-15 cm) ranged 8.10 to 14.88 Mg ha-1. Total carbon sequestration in terrestrial system (biomass + soil) was observed maximum in Terminalia arjuna plantation with the rate of 11.03 t C ha-1year -1, which was 95 per cent more than tree-less area. Higher nutritional level (N, P & K) was observed under canopy of Terminalia arjuna than other three tree species and control. An enhanced enzymatic activity besides microbial biomass carbon was observed in underneath soil of different species than tree-less area.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers on growth and nutrient uptake in Acacia nilotica willd. ex Del. seedlings(Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2016) Manwindra Singh; Avtar SinghThe vital importance of Acacia nilotica in afforestation programmes and lack of information on quality seedlings production of this species encouraged to carry out the present study. The investigation was conducted to generate information on effect of inorganic and biofertilizers on growth performance and nutrient uptake in plants. The treatments comprised of all possible thirty-six combinations of three levels of nitrogen (0, 30 and 60 kg N ha-1), three levels of phosphorus (0, 75 and 150 kg P205 ha-1) and four biofertilizers levels (No biofertilizer, VAM, Rhizobium and VAM + Rhizobium. The experiment was established in factorial split design with nine combinations of N and P in the main-plot and four biofertilizer levels in the sub plots with three replications. Inoculation with VAM and Rhizobium, singly and dually. resulted in maximum growth and N and P uptake in shoot and root as compared to uninoculated control. Among different doses of nitrogen and phosphorus, when applied singly, 30 kg N and 75 kg P205 ha-1 produced maximum growth for most of characters. Dual inoculation of VAM and Rhizobium supplemented with 30 kg N and 75 kg P2O5 ha-1 significantly increased shoot and root length, collar diameter, shoot and root dry weight, shoot fresh weight, number of nodules, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by roots and shoot. However, root fresh weight increased with dual inoculation of VAM and Rhizobium supplemented with 30 kg N and 150 kg P2O5 ha-1. So, it was concluded that there is a great potential of combining inorganic and bio-fertilizers for achieving higher growth of Acacia nilotica plants.