Growth and leaf nutrient status of companion species as influenced by neighbouring species in mixed plantations raised on mine spoil

Abstract

Effect of neighbouring species on growth and foliar nutrient status of companion species was studied in mixed plantation raised on coal mine spoil. The three combinations used were legume:legume,legume:non-legume and non-legume:non-legume. The neighbouring species had influenced the growth and foliar N and P status of companion species in mixed plantations. Acacia catechu had shown greater growth and foliar N and P status when grown with neighbouring legume Pongamia pinnata than when grown with another neighbouring legume Albizia lebbeck. The growth and foliar N and P status of non-legumes Gmelina arborea and Terminalia bellerica were greater when these species were grown with the legume Pongamia pinnata than when grown with non-legume. The legume Pongamia pinnata had exhibited better growth and increased N and P concentration when grown with non-legumes Gmelina arborea and Terminalia bellerica than when grown with legume Acacia catechu. Tectona grandis, on other hand side, had shown reduced growth and foliar N and P concentration, when grown with neighbouring legumes Dalbergia sissoo and Leucaena leucocephala than when grown with neighbouring non-legume Dendrocalamus strictus. The growth rates (height, diameter and volume increments) were positively related to foliar N and P concentration. © International Society for Tropical Ecology.