Abstract
The present study investigated the adaptability and growth of a fast-growing clone (BN1) of N. cadamba planted as short-rotation plantation species in the south subtropical region of China, using 17 sampled sites representing different environments, planting models and ages, and local weather station temperature records. BN1’s growth characteristics were further compared with the most productive eucalypts planted nearby. The survival of BN1 seedlings raised and transplanted with tissue-culture micro-cuttings was >94.0% in the 1st year, and the percentage of the effective trees with diameter at breast height ( Dbh ) ≥ 8 cm was >71.0% over 30-month old. Most of the sampled sites and trees were susceptible to low-temperature or frost injury in the 1st winter, with average damage index ( Id ) ranging from 0.1 to 2.6. Some sites/trees were infected by caterpillar or borer pests, but the damage was neglectable. The injured trees quickly sprouted out leading shoots and recovered their growing vigor from low temperature or insect damage. Temperature factors were closely related to Id (P °C) with risk of significant frost damage on BN1 trees; one site (No. 9) was not suitable with frequent and heavy cold damage ( Id =2.6 ). BN1 grew extremely fast, with average diameter at breast height ( Dbh ) ranging from 14.5 - 20.3 cm and average tree height ( Ht ) from 12.3 - 16.0 m at 54-month old, and Dbh from 17.8 - 22.7 cm and from 14.4 - 15.9 m at 66-month old, over different sites/soils and planting models. Peak for both Dbh and Ht appeared in the 2nd year, but after 6-year old for average individual tree volume ( Vt ). BN1 was faster in Dbh at most sites but slower in Ht at all sites than eucalypts compared. Some sampled sites of BN1 performed similarly as or obviously better than most productive eucalypts in stock volume (Vs). With properly planting density, tending and rotation, BN1 could be expected to outperform fast-growing eucalypts in terms of Dbh , Vt and Vs, and to produce all diameter grades of timbers if the rotation age is extended beyond 8 to 9 years. Discussion was also given to potential silvicultural models, risks and limitations of planting BN1 and other superior N. cadamba varieties.
Highlights
Development of fast-growing and high-yield tree plantation is often expected to bring in two aspects of positive consequences: direct mass production of wood or objective products and indirect protection of natural forests
The present study investigated the adaptability and growth of a fast-growing clone (BN1) of N. cadamba planted as short-rotation plantation species in the south subtropical region of China, using 17 sampled sites representing different environments, planting models and ages, and local weather station temperature records
This paper investigated the adaptability and growth of a fast-growing kadam clone (BN1) planted over a wide south-subtropical region in the south China
Summary
Development of fast-growing and high-yield tree plantation is often expected to bring in two aspects of positive consequences: direct mass production of wood or objective products and indirect protection of natural forests. In the past two decades, commercial tree plantations expanded quickly in China, such as eucalypts (Eucalyptus) in the south and poplars (Populus) in the central and north For these fast-growing and high yield tree plantations, many unwanted issues and concerns were raised while huge wood production and well economic return were achieved (Hua et al, 2016). Based on few early planting and experimental reports, kadam’s growth may be similar to or outperform other widely planted fast-growing tree species such as eucalypts, acacias (Acacia) and pines (Pinus) under similar climates (Guhathakurtha & Banerjee, 1970; Chen, 1993; FAO, 2001; Bijalwan et al, 2014; Zhang et al, 2016), and poplars or willows under different climates It may be a good alternative or supplementary species for suitable regions to increase the productivity as well as species diversity of tree plantation ecosystem. This paper investigated the adaptability and growth of a fast-growing kadam clone (BN1) planted over a wide south-subtropical region in the south China
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