title: Comparative study on growth performance of two shade trees in tea agroforestry system.
abstract: An attempt was made to study the stem growth of two native dominant shade tree species in terms of annual girth increment in three dominant girth size categories for two years in tea agroforestry system of Barak Valley, Assam. Fifty two sampling plots of 0.1 ha size were established and all trees exceeding 10 cm girth over bark at breast height (1.37 m) were uniquely identified, tagged, and annually measured for girth increment, using metal tape during December 2010-12. Albizia lebbeck and A. odoratissima were dominant shade tree species registering 82% of appearance of the individuals studied. The girth class was categorized into six different categories where 30-50 cm, 50-70 cm and 70-90 cm were dominating girth classes and selected for increment study. Mean annual girth increment ranged from 1.41 cm in Albizia odoratissima (50-70 cm girth class) to 2.97 cm in Albizia lebbeck (70-90 cm girth class) for the first year and 1.70 cm in Albizia odoratissima (50-70 cm girth class) to 3.09 cm in Albizia lebbeck (70-90 cm girth class) for the second year. Albizia lebbeck exhibited better growth in all prominent girth classes as compared to Albizia odoratissima during the observation period. The two shade tree species showed similar trend of growth in both the years of observation and significant difference in girth increment.
authors.forename: Rinku Moni
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kalita
authors.forename: Ashesh Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Arun Jyoti
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Nath
mesh_terms: D031289:Albizzia / Q000254:growth & development*; D016468:Forestry; D007194:India; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000254:growth & development; D012621:Seasons; D013045:Species Specificity; D013662:Tea / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D013662:Tea