Effect of cutting height on biomass productivity and physiological attributes in four fodder tree species of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The effect of cutting heights viz., 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 m was investigated on biomass productivity and physiological attributes of four fodder trees species i.e. Morus alba, Grewia optiva, Celtis australis and Bauhinia variegata. Morus alba accumulated maximum leaf+branch biomass followed by Grewia optiva, Celtis australis and Bauhinia variegata, respectively. The productivity of leaf, branch and their total improved with increase cutting height up to 2.0 m under all species. The photosynthesis rate and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) showed non-significant effect due to cutting height and significant effect due to species as well as species x cutting height interaction. Transpiration rate manifested significant variation due to species, cutting height and their interaction and tended to depress with increasing cutting height. Simple correlation matrix revealed a significant positive relation between photosynthesis rate and PAR; photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate and PAR and Transpiration rate, respectively.