Root phytomass recovery and rooting characteristics of five agroforestry tree species in eastern India

Das D. K., . and Chaturvedi O. P., . Root phytomass recovery and rooting characteristics of five agroforestry tree species in eastern India. pp. 156-166. ISSN 0128-1283

Knowledge of the quantitative assessment and structural development of root system is essential to improve and optimize the productivity under agroforestry systems. We conducted studies on root phytomass recovery by sieves of different mesh sizes (2.0 1 0.5 and 0.25 mm) and root distribution for five four-year-old agroforestry tree species namely Acacia auriculiformis Azadirachta indica Bauhinia variegata Bombax ceiba and Wendalendia exserta. Results indicated that the 0.5-mm sieve was adequate for recovery for the majority of roots. Maximum rooting depth was recorded in W. exserta (2.10 m) and minimum in B. variegata (1.00 m). Variation in horizontal root spread was 2.05 m in B. ceiba and 8.05 m in A. auriculiformis. Root spread exceeded the crown cover for all tree species. The first order lateral roots were more horizontal than the second order. The length and diameter of the main root were highest in A. indica (108.3 cm) and B. ceiba (23.2 cm) respectively. Maximum length of lateral roots was recorded in B. variegata (201.6 cm) and maximum diameter in A. indica (1.8 cm). Total root phytomass among different species accounted for 1838 of the total tree biomass. This study infers that although all trees have potential to conserve water and improve fertility status of the soil A. auriculiformis is the most effective for promoting soil fertility. The deep rooted W. exserta and A. auriculiformis will be preferred for cultivation under agroforestry systems and could reduce competition for nutrients and water by pumping from deeper layers of soil.

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Abstract

Knowledge of the quantitative assessment and structural development of root system is essential to improve and optimize the productivity under agroforestry systems. We conducted studies on root phytomass recovery by sieves of different mesh sizes (2.0 1 0.5 and 0.25 mm) and root distribution for five four-year-old agroforestry tree species namely Acacia auriculiformis Azadirachta indica Bauhinia variegata Bombax ceiba and Wendalendia exserta. Results indicated that the 0.5-mm sieve was adequate for recovery for the majority of roots. Maximum rooting depth was recorded in W. exserta (2.10 m) and minimum in B. variegata (1.00 m). Variation in horizontal root spread was 2.05 m in B. ceiba and 8.05 m in A. auriculiformis. Root spread exceeded the crown cover for all tree species. The first order lateral roots were more horizontal than the second order. The length and diameter of the main root were highest in A. indica (108.3 cm) and B. ceiba (23.2 cm) respectively. Maximum length of lateral roots was recorded in B. variegata (201.6 cm) and maximum diameter in A. indica (1.8 cm). Total root phytomass among different species accounted for 1838 of the total tree biomass. This study infers that although all trees have potential to conserve water and improve fertility status of the soil A. auriculiformis is the most effective for promoting soil fertility. The deep rooted W. exserta and A. auriculiformis will be preferred for cultivation under agroforestry systems and could reduce competition for nutrients and water by pumping from deeper layers of soil.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Phytomass
AGROVOC Term:	Rooting
AGROVOC Term:	Agroforestry
AGROVOC Term:	Root systems
AGROVOC Term:	Acacia auriculiformis
AGROVOC Term:	Azadirachta indica
AGROVOC Term:	Bauhinia variegata
AGROVOC Term:	Bombax
AGROVOC Term:	Rubiaceae
AGROVOC Term:	Crown cover
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/21732

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