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K. Vidyasagaran , K. Gopikumar , M. Ajithkumar

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to characterize the floristic composition, structure, vegetation diversity and changes in physico-chemical properties of soil at different altitudinal zones of Shola forests in the Nilgiri hills of Western Ghat. The floristic composition revealed that the Shola forests of Brammagiri hills of Western Ghllt consist of 91 families belonging to 70 genera and 43 families. Vegetation structure showed that Cinnamomum perrottetii has highest density followed by Actinodaphne salicina and Microtrt.pis stocksii. However, highest basal area was for Ligusrtum perrottettii and Neolitzea zeylanica. In regenerating community, Actinodaphne salicina represents maximum regeneration followed by Bhesa indica. Plant diversity study indicated that Simpson's index was 0.94 and concentration of dominance was 0.06. Investigation on physico-chemical properties of soil revealed no remarkable variation in soil properties with increasing elevation.

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K. Gopikumar , K. Vidyasagaran , Mini Chandran , Lakshmi Nandakumar

Abstract

A coppicing study done at College of Forestry, KeralaAgricultural University, Vellanikkars revealed that a,ll the four species selected viz., Macaranga peltata, Samania saman, Terminalia belerica, Albizia falcataria and four provenances of Dalbergia latifolia were having good coppicing power. Maximum number of coppices were produced by Terminalia belerica while provenances of Dalbergia latifolia produced sprouts of more length, girth and leaf production. In general, coppicing ability was found to be more when pruning was done at a height of 60cm.

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P. U. Saju , K. Gopikumar , P. K. Asokan , J. R. Ani

Abstract

An investigation on the effect of shade on growth of Tectona grandis, Grevillea robusta and Ailanthus triphysa seedlings were carried out at College of Forestry, Vellanikkara. The two levels of shades were full sun (0%) and 75% average shade. In Tectona grandis and Grevillea robusta seedlings the growth performance was better in full sunlight than in shade. The height, diameter, leaf area, leaf size, ischolar_main weight, shoot weight, leaf weight and chlorophyll content were higher under full sunlight. On the other hand, Ailanthus triphysa seedlings performed well under shade. The growth in height, diameter, leaf area, leaf size, number, chlorophyll content, dry weight of shoot, ischolar_mains and leaf were higher in shade than in full sunlight. From the present study it could be seen that the species are different with regard to their shade responses. Hence, it is necessary to screen the species based on their light requirements. This information could he used for commercial production of seedlings for extensive plantings under social and agroforestry programmes.

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V. Jamaludheen , K. Gopikumar , K. Sudhakara

Abstract

The present study was undertaken in the College of Forestry, Vellanikkara with a view to study the extent of variation in various morphological characters among selected seedling population of Lagerstroemia speciosa. An attempt was also made to find out correlation if any. That existed between various tree growth parameters. In the present study considerable variation was observed in the vigour of trees expressed as various vegetative, flowering, fruit and seed characters. The study emphasises the fact that open pollinated seeds, even from the selected mother trees for seed purposes win not result in progenies behaving uniformly. Vegetative propagation is perhaps the only assurance for the transmission of characters uniformly from mother trees to their progenies.

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K. Gopikumar , Khages Ch. Mahato

Abstract

No abstract

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