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Optimization of Plant Density of Akashmoni (acacia Auriculiformis) for Production of Fuel Wood in the Bunds of Crop Land

S.R. Ghosh
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M.A. Wadud
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

M.A. Mondol
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

G.M.M. Rahman
Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was carried out at the Field Laboratory of the Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from September, 2010 to August, 2011 to determine the optimum planting density of Acacia auriculiformis for maximization of fuel wood production in the crop field. Acacia auriculiformis seedlings were planted following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications maintaining four different spacing viz., 0.5m, 0.75m, 1m and 1.25m, which were the treatments of this study. Data were collected at every three months interval i.e., 90, 180, 270, and 360 DAP. Growth parameters i.e., plant height, stem base diameter, number of primary and secondary branches and length of primary branches were significantly influenced by different spacing. During initial stage of establishment plant height of seedlings in all treatments were almost significantly similar but after six months i.e., 180 DAP plant height gradually decreased with increasing spacing of plantation. Reverse relationship was found between height and diameter growth of the plants. After six months of plantation, number of primary branch per plant gradually decreased and number of secondary branch per plant gradually increased with increasing planting density. Length of primary branch of Akashmoni was gradually increased with increasing spacing of plantation in every interval of data collection i.e, 90, 180, 270 and 360 DAP. After one year, longest (1.28 m) primary branch was in 1.25m distant plants and shortest (0.64 m) was in 0.5 m distant plant. The amount of phyllode, branch, stem and root per plant was gradually decreased with decreasing planting spacing. Total biomass yield was highest (6.45 kg/plant) in widely planted trees and lowest (3.51 kg/plant) in closely planted trees. Highest amount of weight or moisture lost from wide (1.25 m) spacing or sparsely planted trees and gradually decreased with decreasing spacing. Total yield was higher in plantation of 0.75m spacing which is statistically similar with 0.5m spacing and these were significantly greater than the total yield produced in other spacing (1m and 1.25m). Though total yield almost similar in 0.5m and 0.75m spacing but 0.75m spacing would be better option for getting more PAR interception as well as to minimize competition between tree and crops for growth resources (light, water and nutrients).

Keywords: Acacia auriculiformis, Planting density, Fuel wood, Cropland Agroforetry, Field bunds

Location: Field Laboratory of the Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-09-2010

End Date: 00-08-2011

Program Area: Resource Development and Management

Commodity: Akash moni

Objectives:

1. To determine the optimum planting density of Acacia auriculiformis for maximization of fuel wood production in the crop field.

Methodology:

The experiment was carried out at the Field Laboratory of the Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from September, 2010 to August, 2011. The experimental site was located at 24.75°N latitude and 90.5⁰E longitude at the mean elevation of 18m above the sea level. The planting material of the study was the seedling of Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis). The seedling of this species was planted in the border or ails or field bunds of rice field. The seedlings were collected from ‘Liton Nursery’. Polybag seedlings were collected and heights of the seedlings on an average were 1.5 feet. All planting materials were planted surrounding the rice field following Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 4 (four) replications. Total 100 meters of field boundary/ bunds/ ail were planted with Acacia auriculiformis seedling. 100 m field bund evenly divided as 4 (four) blocks and each block is treated as replication. In each replication total four different treatments were randomly distributed. Different spacing of plantation of Acacia auriculiformis was the treatments of this study. Total four different spacing were selected for the plantation of Acacia auriculiformis seedlings. These four different spacing was the treatments of this study and the different spacing was (i) Treatment 1 (T₁) = plant to plant distance 50 cm or 0.5 m. (ii) Treatment 2 (T₂) = plant to plant distance 75 cm or 0.75 m. (iii) Treatment 3 (T₃) = plant to plant distance 100 cm or 1 m. and (iv) Treatment 4 (T₄) = plant to plant distance 125 cm or 1.25 m. Number of planted seedling in each treatment = length of Bund ÷ spacing × replication. For example, in case of 50 cm spacing, total number seedling = 6.25 m ÷ 0.5 m × 4 = 50. Total 128 seedlings of Acacia auriculiformis were transplanted in the field bunds of rice field. Before plantation a 1'×1'×1' size pit was prepare for each seedling during the last week of July, 2010. After pit preparation well decomposed cowdung was mixed thoroughly and opened few days for sun dry. Then the pits ready for seedling transplantation and all seedlings are transplanted during the 15 September, 2010. Related data were recorded from the different treatment of this study. The growth parameters of Acacia auriculiformis seedlings viz., Plant height (m), Stem base diameter (cm), Number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, length of primary branches, biomass yield of individual trees (kg), dry weight of biomass (kg) etc. were recorded. These parameters were observed after three months intervals upto one years from transplantation i.e., 90, 180, 270 and 360 days after planting (DAP). Biomas included phyllode, branches, main stem, and root of the tree.

Source of Information: J. Agrofor. Environ. 5 (2): 1-6, 2011; ISSN 1995-6983

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The amount of phyllode, branch, stem and root per plant was gradually decreased with decreasing planting spacing. Total biomass yield was highest (6.45 kg/plant) in widely planted trees and lowest (3.51 kg/plant) in closely planted trees. Highest amount of weight or moisture lost from wide (1.25 m) spacing or sparsely planted trees and gradually decreased with decreasing spacing. Total yield was higher in plantation of 0.75m spacing which is statistically similar with 0.5m spacing and these were significantly greater than the total yield produced in other spacing (1m and 1.25m). Though total yield almost similar in 0.5m and 0.75m spacing but 0.75m spacing would be better option for getting more PAR interception as well as to minimize competition between tree and crops for growth resources (light, water and nutrients).

Knowledge Management: Journal