BIOMASS PRODUCTION OF CERTAIN NON-PLANTS FOR PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY

摘要

Experiments were conducted at Regional Research Laboratory, Jorhat (Assam) during 1999 to 2001 to assess the performance of certain non- wood plants ,viz; Hibiscus cannabinus L., H. sabdariffa L., Sesbania aculeata Baker and Tephrosia Candida DC, under different sowing time, plant density, nitrogen doses, time of harvest and pulp yield and paper making properties, so as to determine these crops as alternative source of raw material for pulp and paper industry. Experimental findings indicated that pre-monsoon period, particularly April month, was found to be the suitable time for sowing seeds for good plant growth and biomass yield. Higher biomass was recorded under the plant population of 2,50,000/ha for Kenaf, Roselle and Dhaincha. Whereas, optimumplant density of 2,OQ,QOO/ha was found to yield maximum biomass in medaloa. The study on the requirement of nitrogen for these non-wood plants indicated that with the increased dose of nitrogen, biomass yield was also increased. Nitrogen level up to 160kg/ha was found to be proportionate to the biomass yield, and further addition of nitrogen showed no significant gain. Maximum plant growth and biomass yield were found at the stage of 100% flowering, and it was observed that approximately 210 days afterseed sowing all these crops flowered totally. After 210 days, the increase in biomass was very negligible. The optimum period of harvest was found to be 210 days after sowing of seeds. Pulp yield, fibre dimensions and physical strength properties of paper of these non-wood crops are comparable to the traditional pulping materials like pine and bamboo. These crops can be commercially cultivated under the agro-climatic and edaphic conditions of NE India for use as alternative source of raw materials forpulp and paper industry.