A wonder plant from China

Scientists at the Himalayan Forest Research Institute(HFRI) are working hard to study "paulownia", a Chinese plant, which has a huge potential to transform the economy of the hills.

Scientists firmly believe that the cultivation of the plant, if successful, would check the depletion of green wealth and also meet the evergrowing demand of fuel and fodder, particularly in mid-hills.

Researchers had observed that a remarkable feature of paulownia was its high growth rate and adaptability to diverse natural and climatic conditions.

It was also sustainable to extremely low temperature of minus 20 degrees celsius and scorching summer heat in lower hills. It also stands tall in humid conditions in mid hills and the annual precipitation in areas where it grows varies from 500 mm to 3,000 mm.

According to HFRI sciectists, the plant gives valuable timber in a very short period and attains a height of 13 to 14 feet in just four years.

Its growth is much quicker than the conventional fast-growing plants like poplar and eucalyptus, with good dyeing and whittling quality, Jagdish Singh, a scientist in the institute, engaged in intensive research on the plant said.

The genus of paulownia is represented by nine species of fast-growing timber, of which scrophulariacease is indigenous to China and has been recently introduced in Himachal. It is also grown on trial basis in the mid, lower and higher hills.

The growth performance and suitability of the plant under diverse climatic conditions and different climatic zones is being evaluated and if trials are successful it would be recommended for commercial cultivation.

According to Singh, "The branching of the plant is sparse and so is the leaf arrangement, which makes it best-suited for intercropping."

Research findings indicate that the intercropping of agricultural crops with paulownia has transformed large tracts of agricultural lands in the broad plains of north and central China, as well as the central plains into prime examples of agro-forestry, which can be replicated in Himachal also.

Intercropping with paulownia also improves the microclimate for crop ants and in certain crops, which in turn, also results in a considerable increase in the crop yield.

The quality timber extracted from the plant is light, strong, dries easily and has wood, which can be used for cartons for packaging apples and other fruits. Besides it can be used for furniture, construction, farm implements and musical instruments etc.

The flowers of the plant are also rich in nectar and are also a good source for honey.

The plant, being grown in various agro-climatic regions in Himachal, has shown good results and the HFRI should be able to recommend it to the state forest department for commerical cultivation, said Surinder Kumar, director, HFRI.