Journal of Biology and Nature

Ashok, Saraca asoca, is one of the evergreen medicinal tree species distributed in semi-evergreen to moist deciduous forests. Bark is largely used in ayurvedic treatments, especially to treat gynaecological problems. Mostly raw materials are procured from wild population. Due to overharvesting, this species is ecologically disturbed, fragmented and need conservation attention. The present study aimed to understand the intervention of planting geometry/spacing on growth and biomass of Saraca asoca, a highly traded medicinal tree species of conservation concern. Study consists of three planting geometry (spacing) viz., 1 x 1 m, 1 x 2 m and 2 x 2 m planted in three different plots under large plot technique; further, plant growth was assessed for a period of eight years in Ashok. Result shows that plant height was significantly varied among three different spacing treatments at the age of 5½ year, and thereafter, spacing did not influence the plant height. Furthermore, basal diameter varied significantly among three spacing (planting geometry) at the age of 5½ to 7½ years. Among three planting geometry, plants grown at 1 x 2 m spacing resulted in height of 499.44 cm and basal diameter of 90.39 mm with height increment of 146.11 cm and basal diameter increment of 41.99 mm over a three years period. Thus, 1 x 2 m spacing is suggested for establishment of ashok plantation for bark harvesting. This information would be helpful among the scientific community while working out precision silvicultural practices for medicinal tree production systems and ex situ conservation of Ashok.