Performance evaluation of Gmelina arborea in lower Indian Himalayan region for introduction in agroforestry systems

Abstract

Gmelina arborea, an economically important tree species of northeast India was evaluated for its suitability and performance in lower Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir for introduction in agroforestry system by establishing four demonstration plantations. The seeds were collected from superior sources located in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal from different altitude. The seedlings were raised at two locations in Himachal Pradesh, where highest survival (98.65 %), was recorded from the seed source of Chhattisgarh and minimum (90.28%) was recorded from the seeds collected from West Bengal, at the Johron nursery in district Sirmour (H.P.). The maximum height (42.47 cm) was attained by the seedlings grown from seeds collected from Jharkhand in this nursery.  The height of the species varied from 176 to 344 cm with an average survival of 86% after two years of field plantation at four locations of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The species was capable of reaching a collar diameter of 9.8 cm after 4 years of planting in Himachal Pradesh. The study suggested that the altitude of the seed source vis-a-vis planting site should not differ significantly (> 350 m) for better survival, growth and enhanced productivity.