Site characteristics and regeneration studies of bani oak (Quercus glauca Thunberg) in Himachal Pradesh
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Date
2016
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YSPU
Abstract
The study was carried out at Quercus glaucabearing forests of Solan, Nareg and Sarhan forest ranges of Himachal Pradesh, India during the year 2013-2015. Six forest sites viz.: Solan,Oachghat, Deothal, Narag, Chakla and Tikri were non randomly selected to assess effects of phytosociology, stand characteristics and site conditions in natural regeneration of the species as well as effects of stratification media, stratification duration, acorn size and pre-sowing treatments on germination and growth characteristics Quercus glauca seedlings. Data collection, analysis and interpretation were conducted based onstandard field, laboratory and statistical procedures.
Stand structure, species composition, site characteristics and status of natural regeneration varied alot in
the study sites. Natural regeneration of Quercus glauca was better at Oachghat and Narag forest sites, in which major tree associates were Machilus duthiei, Dalbergia sissoo, Bauhinia variegate, Pinus roxburghii, Pyrus pashia and Myrica esculenta. Natural regeneration of Quercus glauca was positively related to soil moisture content, organic carbon and organic matter layer and it was negatively related to soil pH and solar influx. In general, natural regeneration increased with increase in tree density but it decreased with increase in shrub and herb density. In the stratification trial, highest germination of acornswere recorded under farmyard manure media (51.8 %)and 45 days stratification duration (49.5%). Shaded growing conditions had been found better in germination, survival and seedling growth characteristics than open nursery conditions. Germination was higher in nutrient rich stratification media. Total sugar content was increasing, whereas, starch and soluble protein content of acorns was decreasing with increase in germination. Application of 100 ppm GA3 treatment and exposed embryo had higher germination for chemical and physical pre-sowing treatments under laboratory conditions, respectively. Physical pre-sowing treatments had also better performance in germination than chemical pre-sowing treatments. The study concluded that maintaining tree density and plant associates that enhanced natural regeneration of Quercus glaucashould be preserved for the sustenance of the species. The use physical pre-sowing treatments in combination of shaded growing conditions should be encouraged for artificial reproduction of the species.
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Keywords
germinability, sowing, regeneration, fruits, area, stratification, biological development, biological phenomena, seed treatment, wood