Growth and Aboveground Biomass of Melaleuca cajuputi Powell in Noboru Umeda Tagum Plantation, Trat Province

Abstract

            The growth and aboveground biomass of 29-year-old Melaleuca cajuputi Powell planted in Noboru Umeda Tagum Plantation, Trat Province was studied in seasonal (7-9 months) and yearly flood areas.  In each area, three plots, (40 m x40 m size of each) were established by using a randomized complete block design.  The diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height (H) of tree were measured for aboveground biomass estimation using an allometric equation by harvest technique and to compare growths and biomasses of stem (Ws), branch (Wb), leaf (Wl), and aboveground (Wa) of M. cajuputi planted in both study areas.  The results showed that M. cajuputi planted in seasonal and yearly flood areas had an average density (90.67 and 150.33 trees/rai), DBH (18.91 and 18.41 cm), and H (14.66 and 15.19 m), respectively.  The average values of Ws, Wb, Wl, and Wa of M. cajuputi planted in seasonal and yearly flood area were 11,762.81, 2,696.07,  289.23,  15,327.93,  19,110.36,  4,231.28,  458.03, and 24,898.67 kg/rai, respectively.  The flood effect in both study areas which differed 3-5 months flood period was not enough influent to the significant differences on tree density, growth, and aboveground biomass of M. cajuputi.