Tree Canopy Development in Young Plantations Raised on Coalmine Spoil Affects the Growth of Herbaceous Vegetation

Pennisetum pedicellatum and Heteropogon contortus grasses were seeded in tree plantation plots on coal mine spoils at Jayant Project, NCL, Singrauli. After three year of raising of plantations the tree canopies affected the growth of seeded grasses. The dense canopy of D. strictus, P. pinnata and L. leucocephala completely eliminated the seeded grasses H. contortus and P. pedicellatum. Under the dense canopy for G. arborea only H. contortus grows well whereas P. pedicellatum was eliminated. Thus to increase the herbaceous plant biodiversity and for the establishment of stable plant communities thinning of plantation plots after 3-4 years is essential, and H. contortus should be preferred in ground seeding compared to P. pedicellatum.