EFFECT OF WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF Acacia auriculiformis PLANTATION
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Date
2015-06
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University of Agricultural Sciences Dharwad
Abstract
Effect of watershed management practices on one year old Acacia auriculiformis plantations grown under varied slope gradient viz. low (<5%), medium (5-10%) and high slope (>10%) was carried out. Observations on growth parameters like total plant height, collar diameter, number of branches, crown diameter, basal area per hectare and volume per hectare etc. were recorded in 10 m 8 m sample plots and average data per hectare was calculated. Acacia auriculiformis plantations raised on the mini terrace in low slope had significantly higher plant height than that in other moisture conservation structures at higher slope at all stages of 3, 6 and 9 MAT. Total plant height was significantly higher in low slope gradient (2.68 m) than in medium (2.23 m) and high slope gradient (2.05 m) at 9 MAT treatment. Similar trend was observed at 3 and 6 MAT. Total tree height was significantly higher in mini terrace (3.33 m), followed by staggered trench (2.89 m), continuous contour trench (2.09 m), half ring basin (1.79 m) and least was found in control (1.5 m). Similarly, volume of tree per hectare was significantly higher in low slope (3.95 m3/ha) than in medium (2.50 m3/ha) and high slope gradient (1.72 m3/ha). Volume of tree per hectare was significantly higher in mini terrace (6.23 m3/ha) than in other moisture conservation techniques and control (0.65 m3/ha) after 9 MAT. Cost involved for earthwork was maximum in mini terracing ( 29,910 ) and was followed by half ring basin ( 19,940), continuous trench ( 12,462.5) and staggered trench ( 4985). Higher conserved moisture in low slope and higher capacity of mini terrace to store runoff water due to more surface area have contributed to higher productivity.
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