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Ramesh Dhiman

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Andanayya Vastrad

University of Agricultural sciences Dharwad

FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE, DEHRADUN

Seenivasan Ramanathan

Thirunavoukkarasu Manikkannan

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Papers by Ramesh Dhiman

First Report of Intumescence on Eucalyptus from India

COJTS. 000615, 2025

Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldule... more Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldulensis plants grown in cutting multiplication gardens in open conditions and containerized plants maintained inside chambers. This physiological disorder was recorded during winter months when weather was muggy and cloudy with high humidity. Initially, this was mistakenly treated as pathological infection which could not be controlled with fungicide sprays. Further persuasion of these plants led to their identification as intumescence which is also called as Edema, oedma, odemata. About 90% plants inside chambers and 45% plants grown in open conditions were recorded with intumescence features. The study helped in identifying the causes of this physiological disorder which was unknown till now for its better management in clonal plant production. This is the first report of intumescence on Eucalyptus from India.

First Report of Intumescence on Eucalyptus from India

Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldule... more Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldulensis plants grown in cutting multiplication gardens in open conditions and containerized plants maintained inside chambers. This physiological disorder was recorded during winter months when weather was muggy and cloudy with high humidity. Initially, this was mistakenly treated as pathological infection which could not be controlled with fungicide sprays. Further persuasion of these plants led to their identification as intumescence which is also called as Edema, oedma, odemata. About 90% plants inside chambers and 45% plants grown in open conditions were recorded with intumescence features. The study helped in identifying the causes of this physiological disorder which was unknown till now for its better management in clonal plant production. This is the first report of intumescence on Eucalyptus from India.

Use of Wood-based Panel Products in Building Construction and its Fixtures

The Ply Reporter, 2024

The wood-based panel products are fast expanding their use in many of the building components. Th... more The wood-based panel products are fast expanding their use in many of the building components. The use of solid wood use is gradually restricting to only those components where their functional role of size, strength and stability cannot be substituted with other engineered wood products. Currently, the wood panel products consume nearly 27 million cubic meters of wood annually. Wood-based panel products are an excellent choice in building construction due to their cost-efficiency, versatility, and alignment with modern trends. They are the green products, cheaper, more durable and flexible than solid wood; warping resistance and versatile material for certain uses compared to aluminum, plastic and concrete products. Paper discusses the main wood-based panel products namely Plywood, Particle board, fiber boards, oriented strand board and other panel products in reference to their basic characteristics, quality and specific uses in different building components and fixtures. Plywood is the main product being used with around 60% share followed by particle board and fiber board and some others.

Plantation Activities in Haryana

by Ramesh Dhiman and Raj Kumar Sapra

Indian Wood and Panels, 2024

Haryana Forest Department has traditionally been the major agency making plantations in the state... more Haryana Forest Department has traditionally been the major agency making plantations in the state; many other players namely other government departments, farmers, wood based industry, private nursery growers, housing welfare societies, institutes and NGOs started actively contributing in the tree plantations during the last few decades and currently their share is higher than the government institutes including state forest department. The state forest department makes plantations of ecologically, socially, economically, and industrially important species on both inside and outside recorded forest areas, others contribute planting of mainly commercially important trees on non-forest land. The state has a planting target 44 Lakh eucalyptus and 4.5 Lakh poplar with budgetary allocation of 150 Crore with additional 10 Crore for herbal gardens for the current year (2024-25). The species spectrum includes traditional and commercial forest tree species, ornamental, medicinal and herb plants. The number of plants annually planted varied from over 5 Crore /year to just over 1 Crore /year. The official planting stock figure of various plant species in the state forest nurseries during the current year (2024-25) is reported as 2.05 Crore out of which the share of forest timber species was around 60%. A continuous and integrated approach in promoting plantations adopted in the state has gradually increased its forest and tree cover to 6.8% of the geographical area. The state is invariably tagged as a model state for developing a strategic and symbiotic partnership between wood based industry (WBI) and farmers that has led to the developed of a very large cluster of WBI in Yamuna Nagar district which is producing around 60% of the county’s total plywood from the farm grown wood.

Significance of Moisture in Poplar Production and Wood Handling

MCDA, 2024

Paper presents data on Moisture Content (MC) in poplar (Populus deltoides) leaf samples collected... more Paper presents data on Moisture Content (MC) in poplar (Populus deltoides) leaf samples collected from emerging bud sprouts, fully grown and those undergoing senescence. The available published and unpublished data sets on MC have been reviewed in reference to water management to maintain adequate moisture levels in poplar production and its wood during trade and peeling. Moisture content was studied in bud sprouts from three poplar species viz., P. deltoides, P. cilata and P. alba; bud sprouts from saplings soaked in water pit, field planted saplings, and polythene bag planted saplings; leaves from 4 different aged trees; green leaves from the top position of nursery saplings, yellow leaves from the middle position of nursery saplings, and overnight dropped yellow leaves from nursery saplings. P. deltoides recorded a significantly higher MC of 327.44% on a dry weight basis (MCDW) compared to that of P. alba (286.46%) and statistically at par with that of P. ciliata (317.90%). Bud sprouts from water-soaked saplings recorded significantly higher MCDW (363.41%) compared to 315.03% in field planted and 304.01% in polythene bags planted saplings. MC decreased in leaves with increase in age of trees from 7 months to 31 months. Green leaf samples from top position of saplings collected during senescence had significantly higher 159.54% MCDW compared to overnight shed yellow leaves (69.34%). The study also included some wood samples of different aged poplars which along with other data sets were used to develop regression equations to predict MCDW from MC on a fresh weight basis (MCFW) in composite samples that include leaves, bud sprouts, and wood samples together. Separate regression equations were also developed to predict MCDW in each of leaves, bud sprouts, and wood samples separately. MCDW varied widely from over 350% in fresh bud sprouts to less than 70% in overnight dropped leaves. Conversion factor between MCDW and MCFW for samples >300% MCDW was >4, for 250-300% as 3-4, for 150-200% as 2-2.5, for 100-150% as 1-2, and for <100% as <1. The review on water management and standard operating practices on irrigation in-vogue suggests providing balanced supplies to avoid moisture deficit and excess for producing good quality poplar whereas wood needs to be maintained in saturated conditions just before peeling for good quality veneer production.

Standard Operating Activities for Poplar Based Agroforestry

Modern concepts & Development in Agronomy , 2024

Poplar (Populus deltoides) based agroforestry (PBAF) is one of the highly successful and remunera... more Poplar (Populus deltoides) based agroforestry (PBAF) is one of the highly successful and remunerative production system that is significantly contributing towards economically empowering the tree growers. The success of this productive model is based on adopting a set of standard operating activities at every stage of tree growth. In the beginning, promotion and development of PBAF was under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in which its promoters provided technical know-how through a well nit extension team. With termination of PPP model, poplar culture moved to open marketing system for supply of planting stock from commercial nurseries and for sale of wood from harvested trees to open market channels. Under this transformation, poplar growers, especially new ones remain ignorant regarding the actual and standard operations to be carried out for growing good plantations. Based on four decades experience, the authors compiled the standard operating activities for the full rotation of poplar production and its month-wise activities are presented in this paper.

Clonal Variation in Moisture Content in Populus Deltoides Peeling Logs

Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy, 2024

P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in Ind... more P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in India. Currently around 35 million poplar saplings are planted annually on farmland in integration with agriculture crops in North India. A significant share of poplar logs is used for peeling fresh/green without storage. This study presents clonal variation in moisture content in freshly felled logs of 14 clones and also in 1 st basal log to 7 th sequential log made from the main stem. Moisture content both on dry weight and fresh weight basis had significant differences among the studied clones. WIMCO 81 recorded significantly higher tree height (22.24m) and DBH (27.72cm) whereas WSL 42 recorded significantly low height (18.51m) and DBH (19.34cm). Moisture Content on Dry Weight Basis (MCDW) varied from a maximum of 128.34% in WIMCO 81 to a minimum of 83.15% in S7C4 whereas on fresh weight basis (MCFW) it varied from 55.21 in WSL 39 to 45.17% in S7C4. There was a gradual and significant decrease in MCDW and MCFW from 1st to 7th log with basal 1 st log recording a maximum of 115.71% MCDW and 53.49% MCFW. Maximum of 49.34% MCFW was recorded in 1 st basal log and a minimum of 48.34% MCFW in 6 th log. Both MCDW and MCFW formed 3 homogeneous groups i.e., a, b, & c and within each group there were non-significant differences among clones.

Clonal Variation in Moisture Content in Populus Deltoides Peeling Logs

P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in Ind... more P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in India. Currently around 35 million poplar saplings are planted annually on farmland in integration with agriculture crops in North India. A significant share of poplar logs is used for peeling fresh/green without storage. This study presents clonal variation in moisture content in freshly felled logs of 14 clones and also in 1 st basal log to 7 th sequential log made from the main stem. Moisture content both on dry weight and fresh weight basis had significant differences among the studied clones. WIMCO 81 recorded significantly higher tree height (22.24m) and DBH (27.72cm) whereas WSL 42 recorded significantly low height (18.51m) and DBH (19.34cm). Moisture Content on Dry Weight Basis (MCDW) varied from a maximum of 128.34% in WIMCO 81 to a minimum of 83.15% in S7C4 whereas on fresh weight basis (MCFW) it varied from 55.21 in WSL 39 to 45.17% in S7C4. There was a gradual and significant decrease in MCDW and MCFW from 1st to 7th log with basal 1 st log recording a maximum of 115.71% MCDW and 53.49% MCFW. Maximum of 49.34% MCFW was recorded in 1 st basal log and a minimum of 48.34% MCFW in 6 th log. Both MCDW and MCFW formed 3 homogeneous groups i.e., a, b, & c and within each group there were non-significant differences among clones.

Circular Economy of Poplar-based Agroforestry in India

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2024

Poplar (P. deltoides), in India, is one of the ideal trees for integration with crop production i... more Poplar (P. deltoides), in India, is one of the ideal trees for integration with crop production in agroforestry and is grown in one of the most fertile agriculture land of North-western India. The tree supports numerous wood based industrial units with supply of wood raw material around its production locations and elsewhere. This symbiotic synergy between its land-use production systems and industrial manufacturing process is now mature and numerous economical activities are happening around the tree. This paper captures the circular economy around its nursery & plantation production and wood processing. Its nursery production is now revolutionized with mini cuttings which are made from the shoots collected from nursery grown saplings and is adding significant value with this new propagation material which earlier was a waste. Similarly, a huge economic activity is happening around its plantation production system right from planting saplings to their tending, harvesting and transportation of wood from fields to factory gates and during its further processing for manufacturing commercially important products. Improved nursery production from shoots is estimated to save Rs. 20 crores/annum. The current valuation of its wood trade is estimated to be Rs. 15225 million. Carbon trading of tree based production systems has started happening in India and there is a possibility of Carbon trade happening in future with a potential gain of Rs. 1530 million from poplar based agroforestry.

Tree Improvement in Private Sector in Private Sector-Two Case studies of Poplar and Eucalyptus Improvement.

Wood Is Good, 2024

Paper highlights two case studies of Poplar and Eucalyptus Improvement for Peeling log production... more Paper highlights two case studies of Poplar and Eucalyptus Improvement for Peeling log production in WIMCO Ltd. and Pulpwood production in ITC Ltd. respectively carried out by the private sector that transformed plantation forestry in India. It highlighted the compelling circumstances enabling the private sector to get engaged in R&D including Tree Improvement (TI) of selected tree species for wood production for their manufacturing facilities. The protocols followed in TI include making controlled crosses, screening of hybrid populations at nursery, local level and finally at multi-location trials over the large geographical areas. Clones developed by these two companies for Poplar and Eucalyptus are the main source for the expansion of clonal forestry in India.

Development and Release of Clones: A Case Study of Screening 1999 Poplar Breeding Population at Wimco Seedlings

Journal of Tree Sciences, 2015

Paper presents a protocol followed in developing two Populus deltoides Bartr. clones from the see... more Paper presents a protocol followed in developing two Populus deltoides Bartr. clones from the seed collected from crosses made among selected parents and from open pollinated trees of seven clones. The protocol includes intensive screening of seedling population for three years at nursery stage, seven years at two local level field trials and for varying period in four multiple field trials. Out of a base population of 2059 individual seedlings produced from full-sib and 19511 individuals from half-sib populations, 33 individuals from full-sib and 108 from half-sib populations were selected during the nursery screening phase. These 141 individuals plus G48 as control were planted at two sites, out of which 16 individuals-2 from full-sib and 14 from half-sib were selected at the age of 7 years based on growth index (height and DBH) and quality index (stem straightness, clear stem and crown size). These 16 individuals were then clubbed with clones selected from other year poplar breeding populations and were planted at four sites. Out of these 16 clones of 1999 breeding population, two clones have been found outstanding from multiple field trials and are now being mass multiplied for supply to growers of the Tarai Region of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand where these trials were conducted.

Poplar in India Past, Presnt and Future

Sustainable Forest Management for Multiple Values: A Paradigm Shift, 2014

Poplars, in India, have become a significant tree resource for wood production for domestic and i... more Poplars, in India, have become a significant tree resource for wood production for domestic and industrial needs. The tree is multi-purpose which now form an important component of agricultural production systems in Indo-Gangetic plains near Himalayan foothills and temperate regions. In India, four species viz., P. ciliata Wall. ex Royle (Himalayan poplar), P. gamblei Haines (Himalyan aspen), P. jacquemontii var. glauca (P. glauca) Hains (Asian swamp cottonwood), and P. rotundifolia Giff. (P. microcarpa) are considered native to the Himalayan Region. Paper gives an account of poplar culture based on introduced P. deltoides in the past and in the present context. Past poplar culture is described in three phases viz., Pre contract farming phase, contract farming phase and post contract farming phase. The current phase describes locations where it has performed extremely well and also those where it was introduced even away in south India and could not be established there for multiple reasons. It also highlighted three concentrated zones of its culture in North India. The future of poplar culture is described in view of its vast potential in increasing wood productivity in view of expansion of wood based industry in the country.

Trees Transitioning from Scary and Haunting Perception to Large Scale Farming for Industrial and Economical Transformation

Plyinsight, 2024

Paper explains a gradual transition of tree significance from scary and haunting perception of th... more Paper explains a gradual transition of tree significance from scary and haunting perception of the society to their selective growing for domestics needs and ultimately to large scale farming for economical and industrial transformation. The transition is happening as the wood supplies from government forests declined for domestic and industrial needs on following conservative forest policies for large scale expansion of wood based industry in the country. Wood based industry played a key role in this transformation and developed synergistic relationships with farmers to grow them on agriculture fields with crops. Production cycle for such trees is reduced to a couple of years for even peeling log and pulpwood production. Farmers are now getting remunerative returns by growing them and this is the sole reason for them to remain engaged in growing such commercial trees.

Circular economy of eucalyptus-based agroforestry in India 1 2 1

by Ramesh Dhiman, Shiv Dhyani, Javed Rizvi, R K Singh, and R A Hasan

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2024

Eucalyptus is one of the predominantly planted trees on farmlands, and its culture is still expan... more Eucalyptus is one of the predominantly planted trees on farmlands, and its culture is still expanding with increase in its wood demand from existing and new wood-based industries in different parts of the country. With increased wood availability, tree components which earlier had less, or no value gradually started finding usage for new products as a result its utilization footprint is gradually enlarging. The value chain of eucalyptus culture is documented and presented in this paper for nursery production, plantation management, industrial wood processing including recycling of industrial wastage and some other elements. The tree is estimated to produce 60 million tonnes of fresh wood and sequester 14.4 million tonnes of carbon annually and its current valuation from wood and potential payment of ecosystem services from carbon sequestration alone estimated as Rs. 500397 million. In addition, the tree is estimated to provide employment of 860 million man-days annually.

Euca nry cluster

by Ramesh Dhiman and Ashish Mishra

Wood Is Good, 2023

Eucalyptus (referred as Euca hereafter) is a top planted tree in India. Currently, the tree is pr... more Eucalyptus (referred as Euca hereafter) is a top planted tree in India. Currently, the tree is promoted by the most state forest departments, wood based industry, research establishments, nursery growers as its culture especially of clonal plantations is fast increasing with increasing demand for wood from wood based industry. Initially it was grown using seed collected from old planted trees which gradually changed with the clonally produced plants. Its nursery production initially with forest department has slowly spilled over to private sector and small nursery growers. A case study of clonal nursery production at Alligudem, Andhra Pradesh is presented which is the single largest cluster for production of Euca clonal plants in the country. Unlike organized sector, it uses low cost infrastructure and techniques for producing bulk of clonal planting stock. There are around 150 misting chambers in this cluster which are growing over 150 million Euca clonal plants and supplied for field planting in many states throughout the country.

Heavy infection of Melampsora leaf rust on Populus deltoides

Indian Forester

Testing of Mechanical and Chemical Methods for Weed Control in Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr ) Nurseries

Journal of Tree Sciences, 2011

Two set of three experiments each for mechanical and chemical methods of weed control were tried ... more Two set of three experiments each for mechanical and chemical methods of weed control were tried in poplar nurseries and their results are presented here. The mechanical methods indicated that hoeing of soil at frequent intervals effectively check weed population and helps in better growth and survival in poplar sapling production. Application of pre-emergent herbicides was not very effective, whereas, spray of some herbicides especially Pentara (0.4-0.6%) and Glycil (0.03%) was effective in checking the growth of weed population in poplar nurseries. Application of Atrazine as preemergent herbicide had shown phytotoxic effect on poplar plants and its application is therefore not recommended. The results of these experiments call for integration of mechanical and chemical methods for weed management in poplar nurseries. Mechanical methods are more desirable at the beginning of poplar nursery production and the chemical methods during the latter parts especially around rains when heavy growth of weeds could be controlled by application of selective weed killers. Volume 30 No.

Comparative performance of Poplar, Melia and Eucalyptus based agroforestry systems

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2017

The present study compares the performance of three agroforestry systems viz. melia based agrofor... more The present study compares the performance of three agroforestry systems viz. melia based agroforestry (MBAF), poplar based agroforestry (PBAF) and eucalyptus based agroforestry (EBAF) among each other and with open conditions growing similar intercrops under similar conditions in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. Intercrops grown in the experimental field were sugarcane during first year, ratoon sugarcane during second year, wheat crop during second winter season, oat as fodder crop during third winter season and dhaincha as green manure during fourth summer season. At 56 months of age, melia trees recorded more diameter at breast height and crown diameter than eucalyptus and poplar, though their height was significantly lesser than other two species. There was more reduction in intercrop yields under the canopy of melia (40.51%) than that of poplar (25.65%) and eucalyptus (21.05%). At five years age, PBAF produced higher net returns of Rs. 358330 ha−1 compared to Rs. 322462 ha−1 ...

Growth performance and response of three biotic agents in commercially grown eucalyptus clones in agroforestry

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2018

The present study documents field performance of 21 commercially grown clones (BCM 7, BCM 271, BC... more The present study documents field performance of 21 commercially grown clones (BCM 7, BCM 271, BCM 288, BCM 316, BCM 411, BCM 413, BCM 526, BCM 2023, BCM 2045, BCM 2070, BCM 2135, BCM 2306, BCM 2313, Wimco 12, Wimco 14, Wimco 15, K 23, K 25, EC 4 and unnamed one belonging to different Eucalyptus species including a seedling population of locally collected Eucalyptus hybrid as control). Clones were evaluated for their growth and susceptibility to three biotic agents viz. Leptocybe invasa causing gall induction, Cylindrocladium quinqueseptatum causing leaf blight and Botryosphaeria spp. causing stem canker. Clones were planted in a randomized block design with five replications and five trees in each replication. Wheat was grown as intercrop in field during first and second winter seasons; however, no intercrop was grown during summer seasons. The results indicate significant variation for height, DBH, clear bole length, crown diameter among the tested clones. Ratings of individual cl...

Indian Forester, 2023

This paper presents poplar based agroforestry approach to stabilize eroding riverside of Gola riv... more This paper presents poplar based agroforestry approach to stabilize eroding riverside of Gola river in Uttarakhand. The technique involves growing of vegetables in trenches made on sandy river beds and simultaneously planting them with poplar saplings. Crops are taken for first and second year and trees were grown up to 6 years. Crop harvest yielded 80 qtl and 60 qtl vegetable during first and second year respectively and final tree harvest yielded 612 qtl wood. It provided a benefit cost ratio of 2.582 which is much better for such unproductive sandy river beds.

First Report of Intumescence on Eucalyptus from India

COJTS. 000615, 2025

Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldule... more Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldulensis plants grown in cutting multiplication gardens in open conditions and containerized plants maintained inside chambers. This physiological disorder was recorded during winter months when weather was muggy and cloudy with high humidity. Initially, this was mistakenly treated as pathological infection which could not be controlled with fungicide sprays. Further persuasion of these plants led to their identification as intumescence which is also called as Edema, oedma, odemata. About 90% plants inside chambers and 45% plants grown in open conditions were recorded with intumescence features. The study helped in identifying the causes of this physiological disorder which was unknown till now for its better management in clonal plant production. This is the first report of intumescence on Eucalyptus from India.

First Report of Intumescence on Eucalyptus from India

Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldule... more Blister like protuberant growth was noticed on leaves of Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. camaldulensis plants grown in cutting multiplication gardens in open conditions and containerized plants maintained inside chambers. This physiological disorder was recorded during winter months when weather was muggy and cloudy with high humidity. Initially, this was mistakenly treated as pathological infection which could not be controlled with fungicide sprays. Further persuasion of these plants led to their identification as intumescence which is also called as Edema, oedma, odemata. About 90% plants inside chambers and 45% plants grown in open conditions were recorded with intumescence features. The study helped in identifying the causes of this physiological disorder which was unknown till now for its better management in clonal plant production. This is the first report of intumescence on Eucalyptus from India.

Use of Wood-based Panel Products in Building Construction and its Fixtures

The Ply Reporter, 2024

The wood-based panel products are fast expanding their use in many of the building components. Th... more The wood-based panel products are fast expanding their use in many of the building components. The use of solid wood use is gradually restricting to only those components where their functional role of size, strength and stability cannot be substituted with other engineered wood products. Currently, the wood panel products consume nearly 27 million cubic meters of wood annually. Wood-based panel products are an excellent choice in building construction due to their cost-efficiency, versatility, and alignment with modern trends. They are the green products, cheaper, more durable and flexible than solid wood; warping resistance and versatile material for certain uses compared to aluminum, plastic and concrete products. Paper discusses the main wood-based panel products namely Plywood, Particle board, fiber boards, oriented strand board and other panel products in reference to their basic characteristics, quality and specific uses in different building components and fixtures. Plywood is the main product being used with around 60% share followed by particle board and fiber board and some others.

Plantation Activities in Haryana

by Ramesh Dhiman and Raj Kumar Sapra

Indian Wood and Panels, 2024

Haryana Forest Department has traditionally been the major agency making plantations in the state... more Haryana Forest Department has traditionally been the major agency making plantations in the state; many other players namely other government departments, farmers, wood based industry, private nursery growers, housing welfare societies, institutes and NGOs started actively contributing in the tree plantations during the last few decades and currently their share is higher than the government institutes including state forest department. The state forest department makes plantations of ecologically, socially, economically, and industrially important species on both inside and outside recorded forest areas, others contribute planting of mainly commercially important trees on non-forest land. The state has a planting target 44 Lakh eucalyptus and 4.5 Lakh poplar with budgetary allocation of 150 Crore with additional 10 Crore for herbal gardens for the current year (2024-25). The species spectrum includes traditional and commercial forest tree species, ornamental, medicinal and herb plants. The number of plants annually planted varied from over 5 Crore /year to just over 1 Crore /year. The official planting stock figure of various plant species in the state forest nurseries during the current year (2024-25) is reported as 2.05 Crore out of which the share of forest timber species was around 60%. A continuous and integrated approach in promoting plantations adopted in the state has gradually increased its forest and tree cover to 6.8% of the geographical area. The state is invariably tagged as a model state for developing a strategic and symbiotic partnership between wood based industry (WBI) and farmers that has led to the developed of a very large cluster of WBI in Yamuna Nagar district which is producing around 60% of the county’s total plywood from the farm grown wood.

Significance of Moisture in Poplar Production and Wood Handling

MCDA, 2024

Paper presents data on Moisture Content (MC) in poplar (Populus deltoides) leaf samples collected... more Paper presents data on Moisture Content (MC) in poplar (Populus deltoides) leaf samples collected from emerging bud sprouts, fully grown and those undergoing senescence. The available published and unpublished data sets on MC have been reviewed in reference to water management to maintain adequate moisture levels in poplar production and its wood during trade and peeling. Moisture content was studied in bud sprouts from three poplar species viz., P. deltoides, P. cilata and P. alba; bud sprouts from saplings soaked in water pit, field planted saplings, and polythene bag planted saplings; leaves from 4 different aged trees; green leaves from the top position of nursery saplings, yellow leaves from the middle position of nursery saplings, and overnight dropped yellow leaves from nursery saplings. P. deltoides recorded a significantly higher MC of 327.44% on a dry weight basis (MCDW) compared to that of P. alba (286.46%) and statistically at par with that of P. ciliata (317.90%). Bud sprouts from water-soaked saplings recorded significantly higher MCDW (363.41%) compared to 315.03% in field planted and 304.01% in polythene bags planted saplings. MC decreased in leaves with increase in age of trees from 7 months to 31 months. Green leaf samples from top position of saplings collected during senescence had significantly higher 159.54% MCDW compared to overnight shed yellow leaves (69.34%). The study also included some wood samples of different aged poplars which along with other data sets were used to develop regression equations to predict MCDW from MC on a fresh weight basis (MCFW) in composite samples that include leaves, bud sprouts, and wood samples together. Separate regression equations were also developed to predict MCDW in each of leaves, bud sprouts, and wood samples separately. MCDW varied widely from over 350% in fresh bud sprouts to less than 70% in overnight dropped leaves. Conversion factor between MCDW and MCFW for samples >300% MCDW was >4, for 250-300% as 3-4, for 150-200% as 2-2.5, for 100-150% as 1-2, and for <100% as <1. The review on water management and standard operating practices on irrigation in-vogue suggests providing balanced supplies to avoid moisture deficit and excess for producing good quality poplar whereas wood needs to be maintained in saturated conditions just before peeling for good quality veneer production.

Standard Operating Activities for Poplar Based Agroforestry

Modern concepts & Development in Agronomy , 2024

Poplar (Populus deltoides) based agroforestry (PBAF) is one of the highly successful and remunera... more Poplar (Populus deltoides) based agroforestry (PBAF) is one of the highly successful and remunerative production system that is significantly contributing towards economically empowering the tree growers. The success of this productive model is based on adopting a set of standard operating activities at every stage of tree growth. In the beginning, promotion and development of PBAF was under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in which its promoters provided technical know-how through a well nit extension team. With termination of PPP model, poplar culture moved to open marketing system for supply of planting stock from commercial nurseries and for sale of wood from harvested trees to open market channels. Under this transformation, poplar growers, especially new ones remain ignorant regarding the actual and standard operations to be carried out for growing good plantations. Based on four decades experience, the authors compiled the standard operating activities for the full rotation of poplar production and its month-wise activities are presented in this paper.

Clonal Variation in Moisture Content in Populus Deltoides Peeling Logs

Modern Concepts & Developments in Agronomy, 2024

P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in Ind... more P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in India. Currently around 35 million poplar saplings are planted annually on farmland in integration with agriculture crops in North India. A significant share of poplar logs is used for peeling fresh/green without storage. This study presents clonal variation in moisture content in freshly felled logs of 14 clones and also in 1 st basal log to 7 th sequential log made from the main stem. Moisture content both on dry weight and fresh weight basis had significant differences among the studied clones. WIMCO 81 recorded significantly higher tree height (22.24m) and DBH (27.72cm) whereas WSL 42 recorded significantly low height (18.51m) and DBH (19.34cm). Moisture Content on Dry Weight Basis (MCDW) varied from a maximum of 128.34% in WIMCO 81 to a minimum of 83.15% in S7C4 whereas on fresh weight basis (MCFW) it varied from 55.21 in WSL 39 to 45.17% in S7C4. There was a gradual and significant decrease in MCDW and MCFW from 1st to 7th log with basal 1 st log recording a maximum of 115.71% MCDW and 53.49% MCFW. Maximum of 49.34% MCFW was recorded in 1 st basal log and a minimum of 48.34% MCFW in 6 th log. Both MCDW and MCFW formed 3 homogeneous groups i.e., a, b, & c and within each group there were non-significant differences among clones.

Clonal Variation in Moisture Content in Populus Deltoides Peeling Logs

P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in Ind... more P. deltoides is one of the major commercially grown species for production of peeling logs in India. Currently around 35 million poplar saplings are planted annually on farmland in integration with agriculture crops in North India. A significant share of poplar logs is used for peeling fresh/green without storage. This study presents clonal variation in moisture content in freshly felled logs of 14 clones and also in 1 st basal log to 7 th sequential log made from the main stem. Moisture content both on dry weight and fresh weight basis had significant differences among the studied clones. WIMCO 81 recorded significantly higher tree height (22.24m) and DBH (27.72cm) whereas WSL 42 recorded significantly low height (18.51m) and DBH (19.34cm). Moisture Content on Dry Weight Basis (MCDW) varied from a maximum of 128.34% in WIMCO 81 to a minimum of 83.15% in S7C4 whereas on fresh weight basis (MCFW) it varied from 55.21 in WSL 39 to 45.17% in S7C4. There was a gradual and significant decrease in MCDW and MCFW from 1st to 7th log with basal 1 st log recording a maximum of 115.71% MCDW and 53.49% MCFW. Maximum of 49.34% MCFW was recorded in 1 st basal log and a minimum of 48.34% MCFW in 6 th log. Both MCDW and MCFW formed 3 homogeneous groups i.e., a, b, & c and within each group there were non-significant differences among clones.

Circular Economy of Poplar-based Agroforestry in India

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2024

Poplar (P. deltoides), in India, is one of the ideal trees for integration with crop production i... more Poplar (P. deltoides), in India, is one of the ideal trees for integration with crop production in agroforestry and is grown in one of the most fertile agriculture land of North-western India. The tree supports numerous wood based industrial units with supply of wood raw material around its production locations and elsewhere. This symbiotic synergy between its land-use production systems and industrial manufacturing process is now mature and numerous economical activities are happening around the tree. This paper captures the circular economy around its nursery & plantation production and wood processing. Its nursery production is now revolutionized with mini cuttings which are made from the shoots collected from nursery grown saplings and is adding significant value with this new propagation material which earlier was a waste. Similarly, a huge economic activity is happening around its plantation production system right from planting saplings to their tending, harvesting and transportation of wood from fields to factory gates and during its further processing for manufacturing commercially important products. Improved nursery production from shoots is estimated to save Rs. 20 crores/annum. The current valuation of its wood trade is estimated to be Rs. 15225 million. Carbon trading of tree based production systems has started happening in India and there is a possibility of Carbon trade happening in future with a potential gain of Rs. 1530 million from poplar based agroforestry.

Tree Improvement in Private Sector in Private Sector-Two Case studies of Poplar and Eucalyptus Improvement.

Wood Is Good, 2024

Paper highlights two case studies of Poplar and Eucalyptus Improvement for Peeling log production... more Paper highlights two case studies of Poplar and Eucalyptus Improvement for Peeling log production in WIMCO Ltd. and Pulpwood production in ITC Ltd. respectively carried out by the private sector that transformed plantation forestry in India. It highlighted the compelling circumstances enabling the private sector to get engaged in R&D including Tree Improvement (TI) of selected tree species for wood production for their manufacturing facilities. The protocols followed in TI include making controlled crosses, screening of hybrid populations at nursery, local level and finally at multi-location trials over the large geographical areas. Clones developed by these two companies for Poplar and Eucalyptus are the main source for the expansion of clonal forestry in India.

Development and Release of Clones: A Case Study of Screening 1999 Poplar Breeding Population at Wimco Seedlings

Journal of Tree Sciences, 2015

Paper presents a protocol followed in developing two Populus deltoides Bartr. clones from the see... more Paper presents a protocol followed in developing two Populus deltoides Bartr. clones from the seed collected from crosses made among selected parents and from open pollinated trees of seven clones. The protocol includes intensive screening of seedling population for three years at nursery stage, seven years at two local level field trials and for varying period in four multiple field trials. Out of a base population of 2059 individual seedlings produced from full-sib and 19511 individuals from half-sib populations, 33 individuals from full-sib and 108 from half-sib populations were selected during the nursery screening phase. These 141 individuals plus G48 as control were planted at two sites, out of which 16 individuals-2 from full-sib and 14 from half-sib were selected at the age of 7 years based on growth index (height and DBH) and quality index (stem straightness, clear stem and crown size). These 16 individuals were then clubbed with clones selected from other year poplar breeding populations and were planted at four sites. Out of these 16 clones of 1999 breeding population, two clones have been found outstanding from multiple field trials and are now being mass multiplied for supply to growers of the Tarai Region of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand where these trials were conducted.

Poplar in India Past, Presnt and Future

Sustainable Forest Management for Multiple Values: A Paradigm Shift, 2014

Poplars, in India, have become a significant tree resource for wood production for domestic and i... more Poplars, in India, have become a significant tree resource for wood production for domestic and industrial needs. The tree is multi-purpose which now form an important component of agricultural production systems in Indo-Gangetic plains near Himalayan foothills and temperate regions. In India, four species viz., P. ciliata Wall. ex Royle (Himalayan poplar), P. gamblei Haines (Himalyan aspen), P. jacquemontii var. glauca (P. glauca) Hains (Asian swamp cottonwood), and P. rotundifolia Giff. (P. microcarpa) are considered native to the Himalayan Region. Paper gives an account of poplar culture based on introduced P. deltoides in the past and in the present context. Past poplar culture is described in three phases viz., Pre contract farming phase, contract farming phase and post contract farming phase. The current phase describes locations where it has performed extremely well and also those where it was introduced even away in south India and could not be established there for multiple reasons. It also highlighted three concentrated zones of its culture in North India. The future of poplar culture is described in view of its vast potential in increasing wood productivity in view of expansion of wood based industry in the country.

Trees Transitioning from Scary and Haunting Perception to Large Scale Farming for Industrial and Economical Transformation

Plyinsight, 2024

Paper explains a gradual transition of tree significance from scary and haunting perception of th... more Paper explains a gradual transition of tree significance from scary and haunting perception of the society to their selective growing for domestics needs and ultimately to large scale farming for economical and industrial transformation. The transition is happening as the wood supplies from government forests declined for domestic and industrial needs on following conservative forest policies for large scale expansion of wood based industry in the country. Wood based industry played a key role in this transformation and developed synergistic relationships with farmers to grow them on agriculture fields with crops. Production cycle for such trees is reduced to a couple of years for even peeling log and pulpwood production. Farmers are now getting remunerative returns by growing them and this is the sole reason for them to remain engaged in growing such commercial trees.

Circular economy of eucalyptus-based agroforestry in India 1 2 1

by Ramesh Dhiman, Shiv Dhyani, Javed Rizvi, R K Singh, and R A Hasan

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2024

Eucalyptus is one of the predominantly planted trees on farmlands, and its culture is still expan... more Eucalyptus is one of the predominantly planted trees on farmlands, and its culture is still expanding with increase in its wood demand from existing and new wood-based industries in different parts of the country. With increased wood availability, tree components which earlier had less, or no value gradually started finding usage for new products as a result its utilization footprint is gradually enlarging. The value chain of eucalyptus culture is documented and presented in this paper for nursery production, plantation management, industrial wood processing including recycling of industrial wastage and some other elements. The tree is estimated to produce 60 million tonnes of fresh wood and sequester 14.4 million tonnes of carbon annually and its current valuation from wood and potential payment of ecosystem services from carbon sequestration alone estimated as Rs. 500397 million. In addition, the tree is estimated to provide employment of 860 million man-days annually.

Euca nry cluster

by Ramesh Dhiman and Ashish Mishra

Wood Is Good, 2023

Eucalyptus (referred as Euca hereafter) is a top planted tree in India. Currently, the tree is pr... more Eucalyptus (referred as Euca hereafter) is a top planted tree in India. Currently, the tree is promoted by the most state forest departments, wood based industry, research establishments, nursery growers as its culture especially of clonal plantations is fast increasing with increasing demand for wood from wood based industry. Initially it was grown using seed collected from old planted trees which gradually changed with the clonally produced plants. Its nursery production initially with forest department has slowly spilled over to private sector and small nursery growers. A case study of clonal nursery production at Alligudem, Andhra Pradesh is presented which is the single largest cluster for production of Euca clonal plants in the country. Unlike organized sector, it uses low cost infrastructure and techniques for producing bulk of clonal planting stock. There are around 150 misting chambers in this cluster which are growing over 150 million Euca clonal plants and supplied for field planting in many states throughout the country.

Heavy infection of Melampsora leaf rust on Populus deltoides

Indian Forester

Testing of Mechanical and Chemical Methods for Weed Control in Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr ) Nurseries

Journal of Tree Sciences, 2011

Two set of three experiments each for mechanical and chemical methods of weed control were tried ... more Two set of three experiments each for mechanical and chemical methods of weed control were tried in poplar nurseries and their results are presented here. The mechanical methods indicated that hoeing of soil at frequent intervals effectively check weed population and helps in better growth and survival in poplar sapling production. Application of pre-emergent herbicides was not very effective, whereas, spray of some herbicides especially Pentara (0.4-0.6%) and Glycil (0.03%) was effective in checking the growth of weed population in poplar nurseries. Application of Atrazine as preemergent herbicide had shown phytotoxic effect on poplar plants and its application is therefore not recommended. The results of these experiments call for integration of mechanical and chemical methods for weed management in poplar nurseries. Mechanical methods are more desirable at the beginning of poplar nursery production and the chemical methods during the latter parts especially around rains when heavy growth of weeds could be controlled by application of selective weed killers. Volume 30 No.

Comparative performance of Poplar, Melia and Eucalyptus based agroforestry systems

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2017

The present study compares the performance of three agroforestry systems viz. melia based agrofor... more The present study compares the performance of three agroforestry systems viz. melia based agroforestry (MBAF), poplar based agroforestry (PBAF) and eucalyptus based agroforestry (EBAF) among each other and with open conditions growing similar intercrops under similar conditions in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. Intercrops grown in the experimental field were sugarcane during first year, ratoon sugarcane during second year, wheat crop during second winter season, oat as fodder crop during third winter season and dhaincha as green manure during fourth summer season. At 56 months of age, melia trees recorded more diameter at breast height and crown diameter than eucalyptus and poplar, though their height was significantly lesser than other two species. There was more reduction in intercrop yields under the canopy of melia (40.51%) than that of poplar (25.65%) and eucalyptus (21.05%). At five years age, PBAF produced higher net returns of Rs. 358330 ha−1 compared to Rs. 322462 ha−1 ...

Growth performance and response of three biotic agents in commercially grown eucalyptus clones in agroforestry

Indian Journal of Agroforestry, 2018

The present study documents field performance of 21 commercially grown clones (BCM 7, BCM 271, BC... more The present study documents field performance of 21 commercially grown clones (BCM 7, BCM 271, BCM 288, BCM 316, BCM 411, BCM 413, BCM 526, BCM 2023, BCM 2045, BCM 2070, BCM 2135, BCM 2306, BCM 2313, Wimco 12, Wimco 14, Wimco 15, K 23, K 25, EC 4 and unnamed one belonging to different Eucalyptus species including a seedling population of locally collected Eucalyptus hybrid as control). Clones were evaluated for their growth and susceptibility to three biotic agents viz. Leptocybe invasa causing gall induction, Cylindrocladium quinqueseptatum causing leaf blight and Botryosphaeria spp. causing stem canker. Clones were planted in a randomized block design with five replications and five trees in each replication. Wheat was grown as intercrop in field during first and second winter seasons; however, no intercrop was grown during summer seasons. The results indicate significant variation for height, DBH, clear bole length, crown diameter among the tested clones. Ratings of individual cl...

Indian Forester, 2023

This paper presents poplar based agroforestry approach to stabilize eroding riverside of Gola riv... more This paper presents poplar based agroforestry approach to stabilize eroding riverside of Gola river in Uttarakhand. The technique involves growing of vegetables in trenches made on sandy river beds and simultaneously planting them with poplar saplings. Crops are taken for first and second year and trees were grown up to 6 years. Crop harvest yielded 80 qtl and 60 qtl vegetable during first and second year respectively and final tree harvest yielded 612 qtl wood. It provided a benefit cost ratio of 2.582 which is much better for such unproductive sandy river beds.

Sustaining the poplar culture and utilization in Haryana

Details the evolution of poplar culture and utilization in the state of Haryana, India. Yamunanag... more Details the evolution of poplar culture and utilization in the state of Haryana, India. Yamunanagar known as plywood capital of India manufactures around 50% of total panel products made in India an dis the core area of poplar utilization and its culture. Identifies the bottlenecks and suggest the intervention required for sustaining the culture and utilization of popalr culture.

Role of Wood based Industries in Promotion of Agroforestry and Production of Quality Planting Material

Scientific Bublishers, 2019

Private sector is playing a pivotal role in promotion of agroforestry and planting stock producti... more Private sector is playing a pivotal role in promotion of agroforestry and planting stock production and supply chain for securing raw material production for their factories. The experiment started around four decades back by Wimco Ltd-a safety matches making company in North India is now matured and spread to different parts of the country. The sector has developed ultramodern production facilities for producing quality planting stock and providing technical know-how to grow good plantations along with agricultural crops and take back wood on harvesting. This is backed by a strong research and development, experienced extension staff to interact with farming communities on agroforestry related issues. The skill acquired by numerous employees and workers in these excellent nursery production facilities have started their own nursery production, on separation, as a mean for self-employment. These are now producing and supplying bulk of the planting stock to various agencies.

Unusal Euca wig

BIOTECH BOOKS®, 2020

Clonal Eucalyptus has received significant interest at various levels as a result the seed origin... more Clonal Eucalyptus has received significant interest at various levels as a result the seed origin plantations have rapidly get replaced by high yielding clones. There is never ending debate on using clonal plantations especially that of eucalyptus for being highly water demanding. Arguments in favor of clonal eucalyptus are put forward foe they being shallow rooted trees for not affecting ground water table. Paper gives photographic evidences that farm grown c eucalyptus does not have deep root system and hence not as water draining as is generally perceived.

Ecosystem restoration-Pvt.Sector

Compedium of lectures: Winter School on Agroforestry, Univesity of Hort. & For., Solan, H.P. India, 2024

Ecosystems are crucial to human societies as they provide water, food, building materials and a h... more Ecosystems are crucial to human societies as they provide water, food, building materials and a host of other essentials. Healthy well-functioning ecosystems, whether they be forests, rivers and lakes, oceans and coasts, mountains, grasslands, farmlands and urban landscapes, provide gains to all life forms including planet-wide benefits like climate protection and biodiversity conservation. Ecosystem degradation is happening all around including India which is depriving the mankind of their optimal gains to the current and future generations. A 2018 study on the Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought in India by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change revealed that India’s GDP suffers a loss of 2.5% on account of land degradation and the cost of inaction would be far greater than that of restoration. The Economic Survey of India 2017-2018 indicated that the impacts of climate change could reduce agricultural income by 25 per cent and the country is reported to suffer an economic loss of Rs.285.51 billion. Around 187.8 million hectare acres of soil out of 328.73 million hectare, in India, has been degraded. This works out to about 57% of the country’s total area. The extent of soil degradation has also been noticed by many other agencies such as National Commission on Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture-Soil and Water Conservation Division, Department of Environment, National Remote Sensing Agency, National Bureau of Soil Survey and LUP and they see it as a serious threat to maintain future food supply to the ever increasing population. India is ranked 50th from bottom in land sustainability index. India has a little over 71 mha of forestland of which 30 per cent or a little more than 21 mha of forestland is degraded. While India joined the Bonn Challenge in 2015 with a pledge to restore 26 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030 to be able to create a committed carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, there are ecologists who suggest that whatever has been committed is just 1.5% of the total degraded land in India. Considering short and long term negative impact of ecosystem degradation around the globe, United Nations has declared the current decade between 2021-2030 as “UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration” which seek engagement of multiple stakeholders for their restoration. Forest Based Industry (FBI), in India, is one of such stakeholder which, of late, is indirectly and directly playing a significant role in this direction and is briefly discussed here.