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Altitudinal variation in phenology, seedling characteristics and natural regeneration of pinus wallichiana A.B. jackson

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Title Altitudinal variation in phenology, seedling characteristics and natural regeneration of pinus wallichiana A.B. jackson
 
Creator Bhat, Gh. Mohi ud Din
 
Contributor Mughal, A.H.
 
Subject Altitude, Blue pine (Pinus wallichiana), Maturity indices, Phenology, Regeneration
 
Description The present investigation entitled “Altitudinal variation in phenology,
seedling characteristics and natural regeneration of Pinus wallichiana” was
undertaken at different altitudes spread across Kashmir valley during 2010 and
2012. North, Central and South Kashmir were represented in the selected sites.
Pinus wallichiana A B Jackson is a very important timber species of Kashmir
valley and occupy a very important place in the forests of Kashmir Valley. In
western Himalayas the tree is gregarious between 1,800-2,500 m. Since the tree
species is found in the valley over a wide range of altitudes, its phenological
dynamics and form varies. Altitude besides having an effect on phenology has a
marked influence on cone/seed maturation, seed germination and subsequent
seedling performance. Natural regeneration is a very important aspect for
perpetuation of natural forests but is affected at different altitudes by a number of
biotic and abiotic factors.
Under phenological observations viz., leaf initiation and leaf fall of Pinus
wallichiana at four different altitudes A1 (1,600-2,000 masl), A2 (2,000-2,400
masl), A3 (2,400-2,800 masl) and A4 (2,800-3,200 masl and above) were recorded fortnightly from March to November in laid quadrates of (10×10 m) at all the sites
(altitudes). The Leaf fall was observed by tying a net around the selected trees. It
was evident that leaf initiation of Pinus wallichiana started from April at lower
altitudes (1,600-2,400 masl) and in May at higher altitudes (2400-3200 masl and
above) with five needles/fascicle. At lower altitude (1,600-2,400 masl)
significantly maximum needle length (14.49 cm), tree height (27.31 m), average
DBH ( 38.37 cm ), crown depth (21.59 m), crown width (2.88 m) and basal area
(1543.25 m2) was recorded as compared to higher altitudes.
While studying maturity indicies at different altitudes the cone colour
changed from light green to green and green with brown patches at maturity. Seed
colour changed from whitish to light brown and dark brown at maturity. It was
observed that mean cone weight, specific gravity and moisture content decreases
from (118.67 to 88.17 g), (1.13 to 0.90) and (34.35 to 15.61 %), respectively
towards maturity. Cone length, cone diameter and germination per cent on the
other hand increased from 13.18 to 16.17 cm, 4.41 to 4.73 cm and 14.76 to 56.81
per cent, respectively. Germination per cent increased at all the altitudes as the
cones advanced towards maturity. It was recorded more in altitudinal range of
2,000-2,400 masl (70.50 %) and lower at higher altitudes (42.12 %) at maturity.
Plumule colour changed from yellow to hazy green and green for mature seeds. It
was also observed that cone and seed characters at maturity differed significantly
among different altitudes and the altitudinal range of 2,000-2,400 masl was found
superior in terms of cone weight (118.53 g), cone diameter (5.25 mm), cone
length (17.16 cm), cone specific gravity (0.98), seed weight (86.9 g/1,000 seeds),
seed length (10.05 mm), seed width (5.38 mm), seed thickness (3.35 mm) and
seed volume (26.54 cc for 3,000 seeds) than cones and seeds collected at higher
altitudes (2,400-3,200 masl and above). Similarly, seedlings raised through seeds
collected from lower altitudes (1,600-2,400 masl) under laboratory and nursery
conditions performed significantly better in germinability and seedling quality
attributes as compared to higher altitude.
The conventional practice of extracting seeds from cones of Kail consists
drying of cones in sun. This process takes about four weeks for seed extraction.
In the study conducted, a new technique involving dipping of cones in water for
10 minutes and oven drying at 30 oC for 23:50 hr in 24 hr cycle and then shaking
daily completed seed extraction in just eight days. Dipping in water for 10
minutes and oven drying at 20 0C for 23:50 hr in 24 hr cycle and then shaking
completed seed extraction in nine days. The technique did not show any adverse
effect on seed germination.
Regeneration for ascertaining status of seedlings, saplings and recruits was
conducted at four different elevations by laying quadrates (10m x 10m) for trees
and (2m x 2m) regeneration plots. It was observed that maximum number of kail
trees 556/ha were recorded at lower altitudes (1,600-2,400 masl) with their
average height and DBH of 27.38 m and 43.91 cms, respectively. On other hand,
higher altitudes (2,400-3,200 masl and above) observed minimum values for number of kail trees and their average height and DBH. Regeneration of recruits,
seedlings, and saplings was not satisfactory as per the prescribed norms, although
it was recorded higher at lower altitudes of 1,600-2,400 m as 1171.87, 937.50 and
703.25 seedlings /ha respectively. It was also evident that maximum frequency
and abundance of recruits, seedlings and saplings was recorded at A1 (1,600-2,000
masl) altitude and the minimum at A4 (2,800-3,200 masl and above) altitude.
Average height of recruits (6.74cm), seedlings (18.43cm) and saplings (115.03
cm) was recorded maximum at A2 altitude. Collar diameter of recruits ranged
between (1.03 to 1.17 mm), seedlings (1.11 to 1.32 mm) and saplings (2.39 to
3.72 mm) at different altitudes.
 
Date 2016-08-20T08:37:11Z
2016-08-20T08:37:11Z
2013
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/73098
 
Language en
 
Format application/pdf
 
Publisher SKUAST