3.1.1 Acacia auriculiformis (Australian straight growing provenance)

At Terakanalli research station of Sirsi range, Hiregutti of Honnavar division and Tadas in Dharwad division straight growing provenance of the species from Queens Land was introduced in 1990 over an extent of 2.0 ha with a view to create future Seed Stands and for tree improvement.

Observation: Survival percentage in 1992 was 80. The growth is good. In August 1994 it was observed that some of the trees had been uprooted by wind. The rooting behaviour has to be observed. At Tadas the survival percentage was 93 and average height was 3.86m (1993). At Terakanahalli of Sirsi Range this variety was introduced in 1990 in an area of 2.00 ha . The plants grew well. About 13 provenances were planted, wherein numbers 10,15 and 20 are performing better. Further observations are required.

3.1.2. Hybrid Acacia

3.1.3 Hybrid Acacia Plot at Navatoor, Shimoga 1998

3.1.4 Hybrid Acacia plot at Terakanahalli, Uttar Kannada, 1998

A trial plot of 11 hybrid Acacia clones was tried along with other seedlings at Terakanahalli. Clones, B-9, H-2 and K-26 have performed well as compared to Acacia auriculiformis. K-47, HD-22, B-10, K-40, HD-3 clones have also performed on par with Acacia auriculiformis whereas Acacia mangium B-2-S, H-6, K-7 clones have performed poorly.

3.1.5 Introduction of Acacia koa :

About 1500 seeds of Acacia koa were sown in the nursery in the year 1999-2000 and germination percentage was found to be 48 per cent. These seedlings were planted on trial basis at Devbal in Shimoga and at Kogilban in Dandeli. In both the places Acacia koa seedlings failed to establish. However its performance is better at Doresanipallya, Bangalore

3.1.6 Acacia aneura at Jarakabande, Bangalore 1984

Acacia aneura is a small sized xerophytic tree from Australia . It was mainly introduced to test its usefulness as a fodder species. The growth rate was very poor and it neither coppices nor pollards. Hence, it is not suitable for raising fodder plantations. At present it appears to be a good secondary host for sandal.

Eucalyptus is a native of Australia and East Indies . It was introduced to many other parts of the world and today ranks as one of the most ubiquitous trees. Eucalyptus has a long history of introduction to India . It is said that Tippu Sulthan, the ruler of Mysore , introduced the species in 1790. As many as 16 species were planted in his palace garden at Nandi hills (1280 MSL) near Bangalore , as ornamentals. Eucalyptus has been grown in India as a source of firewood, pulpwood, and poles and of late even as timber. Eucalyptus is remarkably versatile. Its adaptability to varied climatic and soil conditions are phenomenal and it establishes well in semi-arid conditions, montane regions and in the plains. For these reasons it has found acceptance in afforestation programmes.

The productivity of Eucalyptus pulp wood plantations is 5 to 6 cubic meters per ha per year or 40 tonnes per ha at 7 years rotation when raised through ordinary seeds. Whereas the productivity of plantations raised through improved seed or clonal source is reported to be 10 to 25 cubic meters per ha per year.

The following Eucalyptus species were tried in the state:

3.2.1 Eucalyptus tereticornis

This species was planted in the year 1968 at Mallipatna of Thitimathi Range in an area of 0.8 ha . The plantation is successful and has come up better than others. The measurements recorded in February 1987 shows an average girth of 89.2cm with a height of 22.0m.

3.2.2 Eucalyptus camaldulensis

This species was planted in the year 1968 at Mallipatna of Thitimathi Range in an area of 0.2 ha . It is observed that the plants are coming up well with an average girth of 87.5cm and average height of 23.0m in the year 1987.

3.2.3 Eucalyptus citriodora

3.2.4 Eucalyptus saligna and Eucalyptus grandis

These species were planted in the year 1975 at Thitimatthi, in an area of 0.8 ha to study their performance in this locality. It was found that survival percentage of Eucalyptus saligna is very low compared to Eucalyptus grandis . Termite attack was noticed in case of Eucalyptus saligna. The measurements recorded in the year 1987 showed that Eucalyptus grandis had much better growth than Eucalyptus saligna with 47.0cm and 49.0m average girth and height respectively.

In another similar experiment in Northern Zone, the following Eucalyptus species were tried: Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus urophylla, Eucalyptus pellita, and Eucalyptus cloeziana. It was found that the Eucalyptus hybrid, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus citriodora are the best-suited species for dry zone. It was also found that the optimum spacing for Eucalyptus is 2m x 2m.

In all, 23 Eucalyptus species have been tried. Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus tereticornis have been found to be promising in areas where rainfall is less than 1000mm. Eucalyptus urophylla, Eucalyptus pellita have been found to exhibit higher rate of growth in areas where rainfall is more than 1500mm.

This species was planted in a large area in Gungargatti and was harvested between 5 to 10 years of rotation. Casuarina equisetifolia showed tremendous variation in stand growth with diameter at breast height varying from 5 to 25cm and height from 5 to 12 meters in five-year-old plantations. It was found that 10 per cent of the population, which constituted the dominant category, contributed as much as 23 per cent of the total utilizable biomass. Hence, through clonal technology this natural variation can be exploited and through continuous selection, productivity can also be enhanced to a great extent. With this background attempts were made to identify Plus trees in Casuarina equisetifolia and to multiply them vegetatively.

3.4.1 Trials in grass lands of high rainfall areas

3.4.2 Pinus caribaea trial plot at Watehalla

3.4.3 Pinus caribaea trial plot at Watehalla 1979

A trial to test seedlings raised in containers and bare root seedlings was established in the year 1979 with 600 Pinus caribaea seedlings. Both types of seedlings were planted in pits at an espacement of 2.5m x 2.5m. Container seedlings showed good survival and height growth, whereas the bare root seedlings that were planted failed to establish.

Pinus patula trial was taken up to study the performance in Phoenix infested, degraded low rainfall area. In the beginning the seedlings established well but after one year it was found that the survival percentage was only 45. This was due to moisture stress during the summer. Some plants were stunted. It could be due to non-availability of Mycorrhizal flora in the soil.

3.5.1 Ummathur Trial Plot 1985

Many miscellaneous species were planted in terrace pits to assess their suitability in afforestation of grassy blanks of high rainfall zone. The performance of Acacia auriculiformis, Casuarina equisetifolia, Calliandra and Gmelina arborea is quite encouraging. Dalbergia sissoo is not doing well due to high rainfall.

3.5.2. Ayengeri Trial plot 1979

Miscellaneous species were planted in an area of 2 ha in trenches and in pits. Casuarina equisetifolia, Grevillea robusta and Ailanthus malabarica have performed well.

3.5.3. Trial Plot at Galibeedu 1983 ( 10.0 ha )

Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mearnsii, Casuarina equisetifolia Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus, Robinia pseudacacia, Spathodea companulata were planted in pits. During 1984 replacement was done with Artocarpus heterophyllus, Calliandra and Syzygium cumini . All the species have performed well.

3.5.4. Grassland afforestation in Kodagu district

Several species were tried for afforestation of grasslands in the high rainfall areas of Kodagu District. They were Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mearnsii, Casuarina equisetifolia, Cryptomeria japonica, Grevillea robusta, Pinus caribaea, Pinus patula and Eucalyptus globulus . Out of the above species, Acacia auriculiformis, Grevillea robusta, Casuarina equisetifolia, Pinus caribaea and Pinus patula proved successful and established well in the grasslands. Most of the grasslands have been successfully covered with the fast growing Acacia auriculiformis which is best suited for afforestation.

3.5.5 Paulownia fortunei at Hoskote 1989

It is a fast growing tree from China . Seeds were imported in 1988 and seedlings were raised at Hoskote. They were planted in Nallal nursery in the year 1989. But there was heavy mortality and finally only four seedlings were left. The maximum plant height and girth obtained in ten years is 16m and 161cm respectively. The major problem was non-opening of flower buds and consequently no fruiting and seed setting.

3.5.6 Simaruba glauca at Doddanerale ( Madikere Range ) and Jodigubbi ( Sakleshpur Range ) 2000

3.5.8 Grevillea pteridifolia plot at Ummathur

3.5.9 Meopsis eminii plot at Thitimathi

3.5.10 Thailand Bamboo