BIOMASS PRODUCTION, NUTRIENT CYCLING AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL OF BAMBOO PLANTATIONS IN MID-HILLS, SUB-MONTANE AND LOW HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2017-12
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present investigations entitled “Biomass production, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration
potential of bamboo plantations in mid-hills, sub-montane and low hills of Himachal Pradesh” were
carried out at three sites of Dr YSP University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan, Himachal Pradesh
viz., experimental field of Department of SAF at Nauni, comprising of 7 bamboo species under pure bamboo
plantation and 3 bamboo species under bamboo based agroforestry system in mid-hill conditions, RHRS Jacch,
Kangra comprising of 5 bamboo species under bamboo based agroforestry system in sub-montane conditions
and RHRS Bajaura, Kullu comprising of 4 tree species in combination with Phyllostaychys pubescens, during
2015-2016. The results revealed that Dendrocalamus hamiltonii showed better growth and development in pure
bamboo plantation under mid-hill conditions. Whereas, in bamboo based agroforestry system, Bambusa balcooa
displayed better growth behavior than Dendrocalamus asper and Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. Under submontane
low hill conditions, the growth was better in Bambusa bambos when planted in agroforestry system
while, Phyllostachys pubescens showed better growth and development behaviour when planted under the
canopy of Platanus orientalis. The biomass of different bamboo species was affected significantly due to
variation in climatic conditions of HP. In pure bamboo plantation under mid-hill conditions, Dendrocalamus
asper produced maximum biomass whereas, in bamboo based agroforestry system, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii
produced maximum biomass. In bamboo based agroforestry system under sub-montane and low-hill conditions,
Bambusa bambos showed highest biomass production while, Phyllostachys pubescens produced highest
biomass when planted with Platanus orientalis. Irrespective of bamboo species, the biomass production
enhanced with increasing culm age. Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii and Bambusa bambos
showed better carbon sequestration potential under mid-hill and sub-montane conditions, respectively. Under
mid hill conditions, Dendrocalamus asper showed better nutrient cycling in pure plantation as well as in
bamboo based agroforestry system while, under sub-montane low hill conditions, Bambusa bambos showed
better nutrient cycling under bamboo based agroforestry system. In temperate climatic conditions, better nutrient
status was recorded in soil under Phyllostachys pubescens and Platanus orientalis. Except for soil pH, all the
soil physico-chemical and microbiological parameters decreased with increase in soil depth.
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