Abstract:
Surveys of Nathiagali, Dongagali, Ayubia and Mukshpuri, conducted during July-August 2005, revealed the presence of tree dieback at these hill stations. The two most commonly occurring gymnospermic plant species viz., Abies pindrow Roxb. and Pinus wallichiana A, B. Jackson exhibited 5 and 2% dieback, respectively. The less frequently occurring species Taxus baccata Linn showed only 1% dieback while Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud and rarely occurring species Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss did not show any signs of dieback. Among the broad-leaved angiospermic plant species, Populus ciliata Boenm, Quercus incana W. Bartram and Aesculus indica Colehr. showed the highest dieback incidence of 4% each followed by Ulmus wallichiana Planch. (2%) and Acer pictum Thunb. ex Murroy (2%). Root infecting fungi, frost winds, aging and human activities could be the possible causes of dieback in these hill stations.
Page(s):
73-76
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, Volume: 3, Issue: 1, Year: 2006