Growth and Biomass Studies of Fodder cum Gum-yielding Trees under Different Spacing in Bundelkhand Region

Abstract

The Bundelkhand region typically represents semi-arid conditions, where inhabitants of rural areas generally depend upon farming and livestock cultivation. Low availability of water and soil nutrients is the major hindrance in fodder production for livestock. Under such conditions, local people largely depend on fodder producing tree species. Senegalia Senegal sub species Senegal/kerensis and Acacia nilotica sub species indica are two important species of semi-arid region which produce nutritive fodder and also yield valuable edible gum. In present study S. Senegal and A. nilotica were planted in three different spacing viz., 10x10, 10x5 and 5x5 m, to test the effect of spacing on their survival, growth and fodder production. After six years, survival of S. Senegal and A. nilotica ranged from 61-86 (maximum in 10x10 m) and 69-90% (maximum in 5x5 m), respectively S. Senegal planted in wide spacing and A. nilotica planted in close spacing attained maximum height as well as stem diameter Both the species recorded maximum canopy spread and utilizable biomass (kg tree -1 ) in 10x10 and minimum in 5x5 m spacing; however, total biomass (tons ha -1 ) was found higher in close spacing 5x5 m). Apart from this, S. Senegal (37.63 g tree -1 ) and A. nilotica (12.21 g tree -1 ) started yielding gums after five years of plantation. This plantation is expected to yield good quantum of gum in coming years that can be an added advantage to the local inhabitants. Thus, based on the results obtained from the present study it can be concluded that un-utilized piece of lands available in Bundelkh and can be considered for developing S. Senegal and A. nilotica based silvipastoral system which may reduce the scarcity of fodder for livestock farmers in Bundelkh and region and may increase their income through revenue from gum yield.