EFFECT OF SEEDLING GRADE ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF PUNGAM (PONGAMIA PINNATA)

摘要

Although afforestation programmes are being carried out through various governmental and non-governmental bodies like the World Bank, SIDA, CIDA, USAID and DANIDA, the total area under forest cover is still declining. This is due not only to deforestation, but also to the failure of afforestation programmes. The amount and distribution of rainfall play a paramount role in deciding the success or failure of an afforestation programme. India receives an average annual precipitation of 1000 mm, of whichmost is received during the monsoon months of June to October. In some years, a large amount of the total annual rainfall is received in a period with intensive storms followed by prolonged drought spells (Chitale 1994). Besides weather conditions, supply of good quality plan ting stock material also affects afforestation programmes. A considerable amount of initial cost is involved in the production and supply of quality planting stock.