Effect of initial edaphic factors on survival and growth of forest tree seedlings in Ranchi, Jharkhand

Abstract

Present research was conducted at forest department reforestation site Bhusur (Jharkhand) in 2018-19 to find out the maximum growth and yield of some important tree species in the available soil conditions of the locality. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 4 treatments (T1 is Cassia siamea, T2 is Acacia auriculiformis, T3 is Melia azedarach and T4 is Tectona grandis) and 5 replications. Findings of the experiment revealed that, in case of plant height, diameter, girth, and number of branches among four species, Acacia auriculiformis showed the maximum growth. And Cassia siamea showed the maximum crown spread. In case of basal area and volume Acacia auriculiformis has showed more basal area and volume. Cassia siamea has showed the maximum survival %, followed by Acacia auriculiformis, Melia azedarach and least is Tectona grandis. The soil of the site is sandy loam which suits Acacia auriculiformis to grow better than Cassia siamea, Melia azedarach and Tectona grandis. In respect to all, the growth parameters of Tectona grandis showed the least growth as well as survival percentage.