Studies on growth attributes of some economically important indigenous multipurpose tree species of Eastern Himalaya, India

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the germination, survival, growth performance and biomass yield of nine indigenous multipurpose tree species of Eastern Himalayan region. On average, highest germination (> 80 %) was recorded in Artocarpus heterophyllus, Duabanga grandiflora and Michelia champaca. Germination in the species like Murraya koenghii and Terminalia myriocarpa ranged between 60.0-75.0%. Lowest germination, however, was recorded in Mesua ferrea (35.80%). After one year of growth, the survival percentage was recorded highest in Aquilaria malaccensis (87.80%), followed by M. champaca (85.23%). Among various species, lowest survival was recorded in Phoebe goalparensis (52.70%). So far in height growth was concerned, T. myriocarpa exhibited the highest (61.77cm), followed by D. grandiflora (60.07cm). Aquilaria malaccensis, however, exhibited lowest height growth (44.26cm). Likewise, collar diameter growth was also recorded highest in the seedlings of T. myriocarpa (0.83 cm), followed by D. grandiflora (0.78 cm). Lowest collar diameter growth was recorded in M. ferrea (0.49cm). Significant (P= 0.05) variations were recorded in germination, survival and growth performance of different tree species. Strong positive correlation (P= 0.01) was recorded between height and collar diameter growth of the seedlings. Significant variations (P = 0.05) were also observed in total biomass of the seedlings. Among various species, T. myriocarpa had the highest biomass (19.07g/seedlings) after one year of growth, followed by M. champaca (18.57g/seedling). Lowest biomass (7.11g/seedling) was recorded in A. malaccensis. Data on root-shoot ratio exhibited that A. heterophyllus, M. koenghii and M. ferrea had the comparatively heavier root systems than the other species. Height (P= 0.01) and collar diameter (P= 0.05) growth of the seedlings also exhibited significant positive correlation with biomass accumulation in the seedlings.