Impact of pruning of Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb. (Tendu) bushes on yield and quality of leaves in Maharashtra

Abstract

Studies were conducted in SFD controlled pruned tendu bushes dominating forests and CFR controlled non-pruned poles bearing forests in Gondia and Gadchiroli forest divisions of Maharashtra to assess the impact of pruning of tendu bushes on the yield and quality of its leaves. This tree species has attained great economic importance due to its leaves being used as wrappers in the bidi (Indian cigarette) industry and is the good source ofrevenue generation to the states like M.P., Maharashtra, Odisha and U.P. Pruned bushes contributed more than five times healthy leaves (60.33%) than non-pruned poles (11.90%). Gall infested, diseased and defoliated leaves in pruned bushes were recorded less (7.98%, 2.47% and 29.21% respectively), when compared with non-pruned poles (15.37%, 4.97% and 67.76% respectively). The Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which shows the quality of leaves, was found higher (7.46 mm2/mg) in pruned bushes than non-pruned poles (6.39 mm2/mg) exhibiting the better quality of leaves collected from the pruned bushes. Leaf gall in tendu was caused by insect Trioza obsolete, leaf blight disease by Pestalotia diospyri and defoliation by Hypocala rostrata insect. Healthy tendu leaves exhibited maximum carbohydrates and phenols content, while maximum proline was found in diseased leaves and maximum ascorbic acid in insect attacked leaves.