EVALUATION OF PLANTATION TREE SPECIES FOR BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT CYCLING IN WARM TEMPERATE NORTH WESTERN HIMALAYAS
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Date
2024-02-24
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UHF Nauni
Abstract
The present investigation entitled "Evaluation of plantation tree species for biomass production and nutrient cycling in warm temperate North Western Himalayas" was conducted during 2021-2023 at the Regional Horticultural Research and Training Station, Bajaura. The study aimed to compare plantations named as Robinia pseudoacacia, Populus deltoides, Salix tetrasperma, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Alnus nitida managed under two different regimes i.e. institutional forest and community forest for biomass productivity. nutrient cycling and soil microbial status. Biomass allocated by different plantation type of both the management regimes was estimated using non-destructive method of sampling. The results of the experiments in plantation forest ecosystem have revealed that maximum biomass (142.97 Mg ha'') was recorded in Alnus nitida plantation managed under institutional forest. Vegetation carbon density in plantation ecosystems of both the management regimes was again reported maximum for institutional forest and followed the order: Alnus nitida (67.91 Mg ha ')>Eucalyptus tereticornis (49.50 Mg ha')> Populus deltoides (48.22 Mg ha'')> Salix tetrasperma (47.57 Mg ha')> Robinia pseudoacacia (38.84 Mg ha). Similar trends were also seen in respect of biomass carbon stock of different vegetation types managed under two different regimes. Soil carbon (humus+ soil 0-40 cm layer) density in plantation ecosystem was recorded maximum (51.67 Mg ha'') under Alnus nitida plantation. Total soil carbon density under plantation ecosystem did not varied significantly for both management regimes. In plantation ecosystem maximum total detritus carbon density was recorded (2.19 Mg ha'') in Alnus nitida plantation for institutional forest. Maximum ecosystem carbon density (125.94 Mg ha'') was displayed by Alnus nitida for institutional forest, which is followed by Salix tetrasperma, Populus deltoides, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Robinia pseudoacacia respectively in descending order. Among plantation ecosystems, Alnus nitida under institutional forest showed better nutrient cycling. In temperate harsh edapho-climatic conditions with riverain site better nutrient status was recorded in soil under Alnus nitida plantation for institutional forest. Except available phosphorus, all the soil physico-chemical and microbiological parameters decreased with increase in soil depth. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that in all Alnus nitida under institutional forest displayed maximum biomass production, carbon sequestration potential and better nutrient cycling followed by Salix tetrasperma, Populus deltoides, Eucalyptus tereticornis and R. pseudoacacia respectively in descending order. Tree felling for timber, firewood collection, lopping, and grazing in the community forest resulted in poor biomass production and finally the poor nutrient stock.
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EVALUATION OF PLANTATION TREE SPECIES FOR BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND NUTRIENT CYCLING IN WARM TEMPERATE NORTH WESTERN HIMALAYAS