Stand Density Influences Pulpwood Yield, Soil Fertility and Carbon Sequestration in Semiarid <i>Melia dubia</i> cav. Plantation

<i>Melia dubia</i> is one of the promising farm forestry tree species in semiarid regions to provide raw materials for industries and to restore the soil fertility, besides contributing to regional carbon budget. An optimal stand density will result in higher pulpwood productivity and ecological restoration. This study aimed to optimize the stand density of <i>Melia dubia</i> plantation in a semiarid region by studying four stand densities, viz., 4444 trees ha<sup>-1</sup>, 2500 trees ha<sup>-1</sup>, 2000 trees ha<sup>-1</sup>, and 2222 trees ha<sup>-1</sup>, for obtaining higher pulpwood yield and to find their effect on soil fertility. Pulpwood yield in all the stand densities was measured in 3 year old plantations. Physico-chemical properties and available nutrients of the post-harvest soils were compared to the initial status. Carbon sequestration was estimated by the addition of C stocks in the biomass, litter and soil. Results showed that a significantly highest pulpwood yield was obtained with 2222 trees ha<sup>-1</sup> (<I>P ˂ 0.05</I>), while the highest carbon sequestration was recorded with 4444 trees ha<sup>-1</sup>. The nutrient content the post-harvest soil was found to increase compared to the initial stage in all the stand densities. Principal component analysis revealed a positive correlation between stand density and soil parameters like EC, SOC, nutrient contents, and exchangeable cations (<I>P ˂ 0.05</I>). This study concluded that a stand density of 2222 trees ha<sup>-1</sup> is optimal for obtaining significantly higher pulpwood yield with <i>Melia dubia</i> plantations (<I>P ˂ 0.05</I>), besides improving soil fertility and carbon sequestration in semiarid regions.