POPULATION DYNAMICS OF SANDALWOOD (Santalum album L.) IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2021-11
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study entitled “Population dynamics of sandalwood (Santalum album L.) in
Himachal Pradesh” was carried out at total ten natural populations, in two districts namely, Bilaspur
and Kangra during 2019-2020. In every natural population, 10 quadrats of 10 m × 10 m (100 m2) size
determined by species area curve method were randomly laid to study tree species. In each quadrat, a
sub-quadrat of 5m × 5m (25 m2) size for study of shrubs and sub-quadrat of 2 × 2 m (4 m2) to record
natural regeneration was selected. The tree density in Oel showed highest density of trees (760
individual/ha) and lowest was in Dholra (460 individual/ha). Shrubs density ranged from 570
individual/ha (Dholra) to 840 individual/ha (Oel). Sandalwood was dominant tree species in Changer,
Oel, Danoh, Lakhanpur, Dholra, Banoh, Khairiya, Selra and Jawala Ji while Khair showed dominance
in Amb Katta. Similarity in tree composition was maximum for Oel and Danoh populations (0.77).
Danoh-Lakhanpur, Dholra-Selra and Amb Katta-Jawala Ji were most similar in shrub composition
while Changer-Banoh, Changer-Khairiya, Changer-Amb Katta and Changer-Jawala Ji were most
dissimilar in shrub composition. The shrub species diversity was maximum in Oel population and
minimum in Changer population. Population wise species diversity in trees was maximum in Oel and
minimum in Banoh. The values of trees and shrubs species dominance <0.7 in all natural populations
confirms presence of community of fewer species with equally low abundance. Natural regeneration
success of Santalum album L. in all studied natural populations was very less due to the absence of
good mother trees and due to the interference of human activities. To study physcio-chemical
properties of soil in different natural populations, soils samples were collected from two depths 0-
15cm (D1) and 15-30cm (D2). Soils of all natural populations were found to be slightly acidic having
medium available Nitrogen, available Phosphorus and high available Potassium. Texture of soils
varied from sandy loam to clay loam and sandy clay loam with medium to low organic carbon
content. No correlation of soil physico-chemical properties was found with occurrence and natural
regeneration of Santalum album in its natural population.