Study of growth and bark biomass potential of Ashok [Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Willd.)] under different spacing
Research Type
Departmental Research
Experiment Background
Ashoka, Saraca asoca (Family-Fabaceae), is a medicinal tree species used to treat especially gynecological problems, especially in Ayurvedic treatments. It is a perennial evergreen tree and also grow in semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and also found along river streams. Species is distributed in Sri Lanka and the Indo-Malaysian region. In India, Ashoka trees are found in Peninsular India, comprising the Western and Eastern Ghats. Bark is one of the main parts of plant, which is used to stop the excessive menstrual bleeding and hemorrhagic dysentery due to the presence of tannins. Important phytochemicals found in the bark of Ashoka are epicatechin, catechin, procyanidin, leucocyanidin, linoleic acid, β-sitosterol, Quercetin, catechol, epicatechol and ceryl alcohol. Ashoka based products in the form of tablets, tonics, and syrups including ‘Ashokarishta’ and ‘Ashokaghrita’ are available in the market. There is a demand for bark biomass of this species from the pharmaceutical industries. The raw materials are derived from wild collection. Overharvesting and exploitation of bark coupled with reproductive constrains lead to depletion of the wild population. In fact, based on threat level, this species is listed as ‘Endangered’ and ‘Vulnerable’ categories by CAMP (2001) and IUCN (2013), respectively. Therefore, the National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), Government of India prioritized this as one of the species for its commercial cultivation as well as conservation in natural forests. Sometime, bark of this species is adulterated with Polyalthia longifolia, Trema orientalis, Mallotus nudiflorus, etc. Therefore, the present study was initiated to understand the seed traits, germination pattern and seedling vigour. And also study the growth pattern of this species in this region. Since bark is a commercial part, whether the plant coppice or not after the harvesting is one of the gap information of this species. Therefore, quantifying bark yield of standing plants and its coppicing ability of cut stem was also undertaken to address the sustainability of this species for commercial scale.
Experiment Group
Forestry
Unit Type
(02)EDUCATION UNIT
Unit
(61)COLLEGE OF FORESTRY (NAU, NAVSARI)
Department
(2360)SILVICULTURE AND AGROFORESTRY, COF, NAU, NAVSARI
BudgetHead
(352/12036/00)352/01/REG/04203
Objective
To study the seed attributes and germination capacity in Saraca asoca under Nursery condition
To study the influence of spacing on early growth pattern
To assess the bark biomass at 3 and 5 years rotation period
To understand the coppicing ability of this species
Season
-
Location Unit Type
(02)EDUCATION UNIT
Location Unit
(61)COLLEGE OF FORESTRY (NAU, NAVSARI)
Location Department
(2361)SILVICULTURE AND AGROFORESTRY, COF, NAU, NAVSARI
Plot No
Forestry Farm
PI Name
(NAU-EMP-2013-000932)RAJESH PANDURANGA GUNAGA
PI Email
rpgunaga@nau.in
PI Mobile
9408851342
Year of Approval
2014
Commencement Year
2015
Completion Year
2019
Design of Experiment
For seed and nursery
CRD
For spacing trial, (Field growth)
Large plot technique (Three blocks with three treatments)
For Coppice
Sampling made based on number of stools per coppice stump from the three blocks
Crop Spacing (cm x cm)
Spacing treatment
T1= 1x1
T2=1x2
T3=2x2
Gross Plot (m x m)
32 m x 32 m = 1024 m2
Net Plot (m x m)
30 m x 30 m =900 m2
Total Experiment Area (m2)
32 m x 32 m = 1024 m2
Plot History Last Three Year
Acacia mangium plantation was established and after felling, this land was used for this experiment
Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report
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Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report Attachment
Attachment Not Available!
Layout Plan
Large plot technique is followed for Spacing trial