VINITA BISHT*, B. S. RANA AND PRADYUMAN SINGH
Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : jyotivinita89@gmail.com)
(Received : October 20, 2016; Accepted : January 18, 2017)
ABSTRACT
Partial lopping of Dalbergia sissoo trees (less than 50%) under silvipastoral system on sodic wasteland stimulated the
remaining leaves to a higher rate of photosynthesis; which led to increase in tree growth. Opening of canopy increased above ground grass production under the odd conditions of sodic land. Tree growth (tree height, dbh and canopy width) across different lopping intensities (0-100% lopping) showed a consistent decline along the increasing lopping stress. Amongst different seasons, rainy season indicated maximum tree growth, whereas winter showed the minimum growth in all the treatments. The maximum leaf nutrient concentration of N, P and K was recorded during summer. A declining trend of nutrients was recorded towards increasing leaf age, and steep decline of nutrients was obtained during senescence. An increase in leaf area across lopping intensities was discernible from summer to winter season (3.94 to 5.88 cm2/leaf). The average annual increment in leaf area across different lopping intensities was 1.94 cm2/leaf/year.
Key words :Dalbergia sissoo, growth, lopping, photosynthesis, silvipastoral system