Studies on canopy distribution, stand growth and regeneration in Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud under temperate conditions of Himachal Pradesh
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Date
2016
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YSPU
Abstract
Current investigation entitled “Studies on canopy distribution, stand growth and regeneration in
Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud under temperate conditions of Himachal Pradesh” was undertaken in the
year 2011-13 in selected natural pure stands. The study intended to assess the growth and natural
regeneration characteristics under different locations and age groups in relation to light pattern and site quality. The stand structure study conducted at bole and canopy level for vital stand parameters through standard forest measurement technique on sampling base in four Periodic blocks (PBI, PBII, PBIII and PBIV) in three sites Habban, Chail and Cheog with three replications. Radiation study conducted beneath the canopy through capturing hemispherical images using CI-110 digital plant canopy analyser. The site quality assessment was carried out plotting age and quality height curves of yield table against site height curves to denote base years. Important statistical tools were employed to adjudge their significance. Subsequently results showed 943.33 to 203.33 stems/ha at Chail PBIV and Habban PBI. The stocking level was found irregular and clumped at middle age with missing stems in both lower and higher diameter classes. Cheog showed highest mean diameter (40.34 cm), height (26.67 m), stem volume (481.39 m3/ha). But, Chail showed good performance with stem density, mean basal area (m2/ha) and vital crown parameters in general. Attainment of maximum mean tree height at S3 (26.67 m) and in PBI (31.88 m) was attributed to good site quality and competitive vigor. The correlation study and regression study indicated strong correlation between diameter with height, crown width, volume and crown width with crown areas Further, crown width showed higher correlation coefficient with crown areas (surface and basal), crown projection ratio, crown volume and stem volume in general for all sites and PBs. The transmission coefficient or gap fraction values showed maximum 0.609 and minimum 0.46 this least variation might be the result of uniformity in canopy conditions as a result of present silvicultural management practices. The quantitative characterization of site quality, highest growing stock, highest crop height performance and highest LAI indicated the superior site quality for Cheog over others. Chail and Cheog indicated availability of large numbers of recruits than Habban due to low surface litter, low soil temperature and favorable PAR. The un-established seedlings/ha were maximum and minimum with values 8833.33 and 166.67 recorded at Cheog (PBIV) and Chail (PBI). The established individuals/ha at Chail PBIV showed highest (6333.33) and lowest values (500) at both Cheog (PBI and PBIII). The established stocking percent was highest at PBIV in all the sites with decreasing trend from PBIV to PB I. However, regeneration success as well as established stocking percent (more than 100%) found in all the regeneration PBs.
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Keywords
plant habit, area, regeneration, wood, biological development, crops, developmental stages, sexual reproduction, marketing, imports