Suppression of Chir pine regeneration by Imperata cylindrical (L) P. Beauv. in Hazara Civil Division
Suppression of Chir pine regeneration by Imperata cylindrical (L) P. Beauv. in Hazara Civil Division
P. H. Haydock Wilson and A. R. Beg
ABSTRACT
Regular burning, canopy removal and clearance of ground
cover on the slopes have led to colonization by the
bladey grass Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauve. a
pan-tropical weed. Plots with and without the presence
Imperata were sampled over six sites along a single
watershed. The number and biomass of Chir pine (Pinus
roxburghii Sargent) seedlings of all ages were found to
be markedly less in plots where Imperata ground cover
exceeds 75%. Over the range of sites, however, other
factors of the pine's regenerative ecology appear to dwarf this effect and analysis of variance showed the
difference to be non-significant. Mycorrhixal growth
intensity on the seedling roots was also assessed at
different depths in the soil in each sample plot and an
attempt was made to correlate this with soil phenol
concentration. Results were inconclusive and lend no
support to the hypothesis positing allelopathic
suppression of mycorrhiza by phenols secreted by
Imperata. No recommendations for management are made, as
the problem of Imperata colonization does not appear
pressing, relative both to the wider problem of forest
clearance in the area, and to the cost of any possible
solution.
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September 1990
Vol. 40, Iss. 3
