Growth performance of 12 year old air layered Madhuca latifolia

Abstract

Madhuca latifolia commonly known as mahua belongs to the family Sapotaceae is an important economic tree growing throughout India and most preferable in day to day activity of tribal people. It is distributed in warm and humid regions of Central and south India such as eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Andhra Prades.  It is concluded that, the growth of air-layered Mahua is better when compared to published literature on seedling originated mahus. Based on this study, it is proved that air layering of mahua is cheap and best method to produce quality planting material. Further large scale investigation on performance of air-layered mahua plantations will provide early returns in terms of flowers and seed to sustain local livelihood. The stature of air layered mahua is well suited for agroforestry plantations.