Root Structure, Distribution and Biomass in Five Multipurpose Tree Species of Western Himalayas

• Published in: Journal of mountain science Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 519 - 525
• Main Authors: Verma, Kartar Singh, Kohli, Sandeep, Kaushal, Rajesh, Chaturvedi, Om Parkash
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.03.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bauhinia variegata; Biomass; Celtis; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Ecology; Environment; Geography; Morus alba; Nutrients; Plant ecology; Robinia pseudoacacia; Soil conservation; Trees; 农林业系统; 喜马拉雅山; 土壤深度; 多用途树种; 根系生物量; 根结构; 物理化学性质; 西部; Pakistan, Himalayas; Root distribution; Root biomass; Nutrients; Root categories; Soil binding factor; Soil conservation
• ISSN: 1672-6316; 1993-0321; 1008-2786
• DOI: 10.1007/s11629-013-2479-x

【Title】 【Author】 【Addresses】1 The tree root distribution pattern and biomass of seventeen year old trees of Grewia optiva, Morus alba, Celtis australis, Bauhinia variegata and Robinia pseudoacacia were studied by excavation method. B. variegata roots penetrated to a maximum depth of 4.78 m, whereas, M. alba roots were found down to 1.48 m depth. Lateral spread was minimum in B. variegata （1.10 m）and maximum inR. pseudoacacia （7.33 m）. Maximum root biomass of 6.30 kg was found in R. pseudoacacia and minimum （2.43 kg） was found in M. alba. For four species viz.,G. optiva, M. alba, C. australis andR. pseudoacacia, 68%-87% root biomass occurred within top 0-30 cm soil depth, but forB. variegata this was only45%. The soil binding factor was maximum in G. optiva and minimum in B. variegata. Soil physico-chemical properties also showed wide variation. The study suggests thatB. variegata with a deep root system is the most suitable species for plantation under agroforestry systems. R. pseudoacacia and G. optiva with deep root systems, more lateral spread and high soil binding factor are suitable for plantation on degraded lands for soil conservation.