Dendroclimatological investigations on teak (Tecctona grandis L.F.) in Thrissur forest division of Kerala

Abstract

In a study entitled “Dendroclimatological investigations on teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) in Thrissur forest division of Kerala, conducted in the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur, the dendroclimatic potential of ring width and mean vessel area of teak was assessed at four study sites. The ring width index chronologies were positively correlated with the previous year south west monsoon, previous year north east monsoon, annual rainfall, whereas negatively correlated with summer rainfall, October-November temperature, previous June-September and current June- September temperature. The mean vessel area index (MVA) chronologies showed significant positive correlation with the previous year south west monsoon, north east monsoon, annual rainfall, previous October-November temperature, October-November temperature and annual temperature whereas a significant negative correlation was observed between mean vessel area index chronology and March-May temperature. In conclusion the tree ring chronologies of teak have good dendroclimatic potential in Thrissur and Chalakudy experiencing typical tropical climate.