Growth and carbon assimilation patterns in diverse multipurpose tree seedlings

Investigations were carried out in Casuarina equisetifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Azadirachta indica, Gmelina arborea and Eucalyptus tereticornis seedlings to study the effect of ambient CO2 in the atmosphere in carbon assimilation pattern at Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam. The observations on the biometric parameters revealed the carbon assimilation pattern in the selected multipurpose tree species. Studies on biometric attributes revealed that leaf area, specific leaf area, specific leaf weight and total dry matter accumulation were highly significant in Eucalyptus tereticornis and Leucaena leucocephala. The results showed that increasing carbon dioxide concentration of the atmosphere significantly improved the growth traits in the species studied. On analysing the biometric attributes Eucalyptus tereticornis and Leucaena leucocephala found superior among other multipurpose tree species. The results of the present study revealed that Eucalyptus tereticornis and Leucaena leucocephala were the best performers among the other multipurpose tree species. These species can be recommended for plantation forestry which could help to achieve a faster and efficient carbon assimilation and carbon gain through higher biomass and yield.