Abstract
Among exotic tree species, Poplar (Populus deltoides) is a winter deciduous tree species, which produces maximum litter in a single flush for maintaining soil fertility of plantations through its decomposition and release of nutrients and are chosen primarily for their capacity to achieve high growth rates and wood production over a wide range of sites. Besides these, the short rotation cycle of plantation has one major problem of depletion of nutrients that is caused by frequent harvest of plant, which leaves the site unfertile as a huge quantity of nutrients are removed. Keeping these points in view, the present study was conducted to estimate the biomass production and nutrient removal by eight years old Poplar plantation raised at different spacing in a replicated randomized block design having three spacing of 5 x 4 m, 10 x 2.5 m and 15 x 2.5 m in research area of Department of Forestry, C CSHAU Hisar. Biomass of all the plant parts decreased with increasing tree spacing except that the differences between 10 x 2.5 m and 15 x 2.5 m spacing in respect of leaves and branches biomass were not significant. The total tree biomass including litter fall was higher in 5 x 4 m (415 t/ha) followed by 10 x 2.5 m (330 t/ha) and 15 x 2.5 m (192 t/ha) spacing. Concentration of both primary and secondary nutrients in different plant parts differed significantly at different spacing. Maximum nutrient concentration was recorded in leaves at 15 x 2.5 m spacing. However, Poplar stem accounted for maximum uptake of all the nutrients. Among poplar spacing, closer tree spacing of 5 x 4 m recorded maximum uptake of both primary and secondary nutrients except that K and Mg uptake was maximum at 10 x 2.5 m spacing.
Keywords
Phytoremediation, Apiculture, Quadrates, Leaf litter, Secondary nutrients, Accumulation