Abstract

Considering the increased demand for wood, attempts were made in Kerala to bring selected grasslands under tree cover with varying degree of success. Systematic efforts for afforestation of the grassland in Kerala were not made in the past. The present study was conducted at Chandanathode in the Wynnad plateau. The grasslands in the study area occur interspersed with patches of evergreen forests mostly in the protected valleys. 14 species of grasses were recorded from the study site. Fire is frequent in this grassland.Profine data shows that the soil in the study area is loamy and medium deep. Fast growth was regarded as the main criterion for selection of species for the trials. Eucalyptus grandis Eucalyptus teriticornis (stump) and Casuarinne equisetifolia registered a mean annual height increment (m.a.h.i.) above 60 cm, the standard set for a species to qualify as fast growing during early years of growth. Paraserianthues falcataria and Grevillea rubusta had a m.a.h.i. between 40 and 60 cm placing them under the moderately fast growing category. All other species recorded m.a.h.i below 23 cm. Based on the species performance trials conducted at Chandanathode during 1977-83, Casuarina equisetifolia Eucalyptus grandis, E. teriticornis (using stump as plannting material) and Grevillea robusta are found to be satisfactory species for identical grasslands. However, large scale plantations may be attempted only on the basis of pilot scale plantings