Productivity Assessment and Economic Analysis of Teak Plantations

Productivity assessment and economic analysis of teak plantations of three age gradations (viz. 10, 15 and 20 years old) in different agro-climatic zones of Karnataka, viz. northern dry zone, northern transition zone, and hilly zone was carried out. Observations on growth parameters like total tree height, clear bole height, dbh, basal area, total volume and clear bole volume etc. were recorded in 10 m × 10 m sample plots and average data per hectare was calculated. Teak plantations raised on the farm lands of northern transition zone had significantly higher clear bole volume than that in northern dry zone or hilly zone at all the three age-gradations. 20-year old teak plantations of northern transition zone of Karnataka had, on an average, two times more clear bole volume (738.98 m3/ha) than that among northern dry zone (313.22 m3/ha) and hilly zone (322.86 m3/ha).