V. L. Goel , H. M. Behl , B. Singh

Abstract

Performance of eight species of Prosopis was evaluated in species × site interaction trials in order to identify promising species for short rotation energy plantations on sodic soil sites (pH 9.3 to 10.6). Seven of these species (P affinis, P. chilensis, P. fIexuosa, P. glandulosa, P. lampa, P. pallida and P. siliquastrum) were exotic while one (P. juliflora) was a local dominant species. Differences in plant adaptability (survival 43 to 98.7%), height (height 283.7 to 525.7 cm) and diameter (2.08 to 4.67 cm) among different species were highly significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01). Accordingly, basal area (0.77 to 9.44 m² ha^-1) and biomass productivity (1.59 to 29.4 Mg ha^-1) varied greatly among different species. Fuel wood value index (4.14 to 85.42) and usable energy content (31.43 to 559.7 GJ ha^-1) differed greatly among different species. Both the Peruvian species, P. pallida and P. affinis, were identified as the potential species for short rotation (5 years) renewable energy forestry programs on degraded soil sites. Both the selected species were almost similar to local dominant species (P. juliflora) and therefore should be associated with P. juliflora for increasing diversity. Other species, from Chile and Mexico, were significantly inferior (P < 0.05, 0.01) in terms of growth, productivity and energy potential as compared to local dominant (P. juliflora) and Peruvian species. Therefore, P. affinis and P. pallida are recommended for energy resource development on harsh soil conditions as companion species with P. juliflora.

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N. N. Gautam , Kripal Singh , Bajrang Singh , V. L. Goel , T. S. Rahi

Abstract

The study was a part of biomass research programme on selection and improvement of fast growing leguminous tree species suitable for short rotation bio-energy plantations on sodic soil sites (pH 8.6 to 10.5). It included selection of promising seed sources and plus trees followed by cloning of selected coppiced trees in Leucaena leucocephala (K8 variety) for high biomass productivity on sodic soils. Evaluation of field performance of five seed sources revealed best performance of plants in Madurai seed source after 3-year of growth while plants of Oxford seed source showed poor performance as compared to plants of other seed sources investigated during present study. Intra-specific variations were observed at individual tree level in an even aged 8-yr-old population. Several plus trees (30) were identified on the basis of phenotypic superiority in plant height, trunk thickness and biomass productivity. Successful populations (gene pools) and individual plus trees were multiplied vegetatively using coppice shoots and conserved as a future resource for production of site adapted quality germplasm for plantations on sodic wastelands. The study would help in establishing site adapted germplasm for optimizing gains in future afforestation programmes on degraded forest and community lands.

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V. L. Goel , P. D. Dogra , H. M. Behl

Abstract

Plus tree selections were made from a 5-yr-old productivity trial of Prosopisjuliflora established on alkaline soil site. Twenty one plus trees were selected on the basis of phenotypic superiority in growth, tree form and disease resistance Minimum selection standard in terms of superiority percentage was 20% for height and 35% for diameter. Single half-sib progeny test of selected plus trees along with control was laid in nursery. Six families outperformed the rest as well as control both in respect to their height and collar diameter. Out of the six, three outstanding single tree progenies examined in field trial along with a check lot showed adaptive growth different among and within progenies. All the selected families outperformed the base population as well as the check lot. The study revealed that considerable gains can be achieved in P.juliflora if elite genotypes are selected, multiplied and used in afforestation programmes.

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V. L. Goel

Abstract

A study made on assessment of seedling quality of six firewood tree species indicated superiority of Prosopis juliflora over all other species because of its faster juvenile growth rate, higher number of secondary ischolar_mains per seedlings and maximum biomass production followed by low moisture and ash content, high ash biomass ratio and acceptable heating value.

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S. D. Khanduja , V. L. Goel

Abstract

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