Influence of tree density and girth class on productivity of non-timber products of Senegalia senegal in north-western India

Singh, Bilas , Chouhan, A. S. , Ram, Dhana , Singh, G.

2025-03-01 INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS 2025   225(卷), null(期), (null页)

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Millions of people use non-timber forest products (NTFPs) worldwide. Farmers in north-western India conserve and promote naturally growing trees on their farmlands to sustain livelihood through NTFP support. This study aimed to quantify different products of Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton for enhanced livelihood support and income. In July 2017, eighteen plots of 10-20, 20-30, and > 30 trees ha-1 densities were selected, trees were enumerated and measured for diameter at breast height (dbh) and categorized into 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40, and 40-50 cm dbh classes. Ethephon was injected in trees of 9 plots and the remaining plots were control. Gum, seeds, fodder, and fuelwood yields were assessed for four years and dbh-based allometric equations were developed to estimate dry leaf fodder and fuelwood after lopping 45 trees of different dbh classes. Gum and seeds were yielded by 58.5 % and 80.6 % of trees in Ethephon-treated than 17.4 % and 79.4 % in control plots respectively. Ethephon application enhanced the gum- and gum-yielding population by 8.8- and 3.4-fold over control. Trees with dbh 10-30 cm produced the highest, whereas the 5-10 cm class yielded the least gum. Gum, seed, fodder, and fuelwood were influenced by tree dbh and rainfall however, per ha yields of these products increased with increased tree density. Model Y = a + b(dbh) was the best predictor of fuelwood and fodder. In conclusion, Ethephon, dbh, and density influenced the yields of these NTFPs. Ethephon enhanced both gum yield and gum-yielding population and may be beneficial in improving people's livelihood in dry regions. However, involving other species, increasing the gum/seed-yielding population, and improving the long-term survival of Senegalia senegal are areas of further research to maximize gum yield potential.