Influence of Oak and Pine forests on the Productivity of Wheat and Paddy in Hilly Area of Uttarakhand

Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora ) and chir pine (Pinus roxburghii. Sarg.) are the main tree species in hills of Uttatakhand. Ecologically they also show some climatic effects in adjoining area. It is a well known fact that the area of chir pine forests shows dryness while in oak forest area moisture contents are generally high. Due to the variation of moisture in these forest areas, agriculture crops in adjoining to these forests are also influenced up to an extent.

A study on production of wheat and paddy near oak and pine forests in Uttarakhand was conducted and the yield of both wheat (Triticum aestivum) and paddy (Oryza sativa) was compared to the yield of these crops of non forest area far away from these forests. The study on crop yield was done in irrigated and rainfed land. The results show that there is no remarkable deference in yield of wheat and paddy near both the forests. But the condition of irrigation is found always a factor in crop yield. In other words we can say that the crop yield significantly more in irrigated land.