PJB-2016-12
BIOMASS PRODUCTION OF SOME SALT TOLERANT TREE SPECIES GROWN IN DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF PAKISTAN
KHALID MAHMOOD*, M. ISMAIL CHUGHTAI, ABDUL RASUL AWAN AND RIAZ A. WAHEED
Abstract
A study was carried out to evaluate the biomass production potential of salt tolerant tree species grown in saline environments. For this purpose, 5 sites near Badin, Gawadar, Lahore, Faisalabad and Peshawar in different ecological zones of Pakistan were selected. Plantations of 7 tree species common to all sites including Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Phoenix dactylifera, Acacia nilotica, Acacia ampliceps, Prosopis juliflora, Casurina obesa and Tamarix aphylla were selected for non-destructive biomass measurements. Five trees from each species at each site were assessed for plant height, girth at breast height, canopy area, canopy shape and number of branches. For destructive biomass estimation, six trees of four species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia nilotica, Prosopis juliflora and Tamarix aphylla) were harvested at two sites near Lahore and Faisalabad. Biomass of whole tree and its components like stem, branches, twigs, leaves and fruits were determined. Soil and water resources of these sites were also characterized. Results indicated that E. camaldulensis produced maximum average biomass 329 kg in 81/2 years at soil salinity (EC 1:1) 8.5 to 9.4 dS m-1 and T. aphylla produced 188 kg at soil salinity 12.8 dS m-1 in 91/2 years. A. nilotica produced biomass 187 kg at 16.9 dS m-1 in 10 years at Faisalabad; while at Lahore, 369 kg in 18 years under soil salinity level 7.3 dS m-1. P. juliflora produced minimum biomass 123 kg at soil salinity 7.1 dS m-1 in 8 years at Lahore and 278 kg at soil salinity 17.2 dS m-1 in 16 years at Faisalabad. Both soil and water quality was comparatively better at Gawadar and Faisalabad than other sites. Overall, it is concluded that studied tree species are good performer on salt-affected soils and can make saline areas productive.
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