Journal of Basic and Applied Research International

Mahua is an important timber and Non-Timber Forest Products of India that provide environmental, nutritional and socioeconomic security among the rural people. Many tribal communities, recognizing this tree as religious and aesthetic importance. Flowers, fruits and seeds and their products are of commercial importance. In fact, as per FSI report, Mahua is one of the top ranked species of trees outside forest based on total growing stock. The present study aims to understand the relationship between growth and yield parameters among medium to old aged trees of Mahua, and to develop a regression equation for estimation of volume of standing Mahua trees. Accordingly, trees located in Limbarpada, Sidumber and Pipalkhed natural stands in South Gujarat have been used for recording biometric observation. Result shows that a strong positive association between growth and yield attributes was recorded in Mahua. Diameter at breast height (DBH) correlated strongly with tree height, mid diameter, basal area, volume, biomass and carbon stock. Similar relationship was also recorded between DBH with crown diameter and crown length. Further, regression equations using linear, power, logarithm and quadratic models were tested; among them, power model: V= aD^b was found to be the best fitted equation. Hence, it is suggested to use volumetric equation i.e., V= 0.00009*D^2.4663 (R² = 0.939 & RMSE of 0.830) for estimation of medium to old aged Mahua trees. The volume generated from this equation can be used for estimation of biomass and carbon stock of Mahua trees.