STATISTICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS OF CHERRY-BARK ELM (Ulmus villosa Brandis) UNDER MIDHILL CONDITIONS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2015
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ABSTRACT
The present study entitled “Statistical investigations of growth characteristics of Cherry-bark Elm (Ulmus villosa Brandis) under midhill conditions of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out at two sites i.e Bagaur (Site-I) and Majhgaon (Site-II) at the main campus of Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (Solan), Himachal Pradesh during the year 2014-2015. The optimum sample of 135 trees out of total population 453 was studied to record different growth parameters namely diameter at breast height, tree height, crown height, crown length, crown width and bole height on diameter class basis. Stem wood biomass was estimated by using non-destructive method whereas; branch and leaves + twigs biomass was estimated by using partial destructive method for biomass estimation. Tree height, bole height, crown height, crown length and crown width increased with increase in diameter at breast height. All tree parameters; diameter at breast height, tree height, crown height, crown length, crown width and bole height showed non-significant variations between two sites. Thus, observations at two sites were pooled together for further analysis. Green and dry biomass was positively and highly correlated with all the growth characteristics. However, highest correlation of biomass was observed with diameter at breast height. Exponential function was best fitted for the prediction of green and dry biomass and diameter at breast height remained the best predictor of green and dry biomass. Two Principal Components (PCs) were extracted out of six which explains 61.25 per cent and 19.80 per cent of the total variation respectively. Using Factor Analysis, one factor is extracted which was a combination of Diameter at breast height, tree height and crown length and explained 57.785 per cent of total variation.