Growth and productivity of Tectona grandis Linn. f. in plantations and farmlands in coastal zone of Karnataka (India)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to understand the growth performance and productivity potential of Tectona grandis grown in plantation as well as in the farmlands at coastal zone of Karnataka. The growth of teak tree grown in farmland was significantly higher than tree grown in pure plantation. For instance, the overall height(11.95 m), diameter (23.69 cm), clear bole height (6.20 m), tree volume (0.61 m3) and timber volume (0.33 m3) was higher in farmland than trees grown in pure plantation (11.60 m, 20.33 cm, 4.90 m, 0.42 m3 and 0.18 m3, respectively). However, crown parameters did not show significant difference among trees grown in pure plantations and farmlands. There was a strong influence of age on growth of teak trees grown in both farmland and pure plantation. For instance, tree height (14.72 m) and diameter (30.52 cm) of higher age class (A4: 21-25 years) was maximum as compared lower age class (A1: 5-10 years) with values of 8.29 m and 17.14 cm, respectively. Similar trend was also recorded for volume, clear bole height, crown height, crown length and crown diameter in teak. It was concluded that teak grown in farmland may produce higher growth and volume as compared to pure plantation.