Evaluation of direct seeding of tree species as a means of revegetation of coal mine spoils

Abstract

The feasibility of direct sowing of 10 tree species as a means of revegetating flat (1.5 ha) and sloping areas (3 ha) of coal mine spoils was investigated at Jayant Project, Northern Coal Fields Ltd., Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, India. Experimental plots were set up in June 1993. The leguminous forb Stylosanthes hamata and the grasses Pennisetum pedicellatum and Heteropogon contortus were also sown on both plots in 1993, and again in 1994. Height and diameter of 10 individuals of each tree species were measured annually. Data are presented for 3 years after setting up of the plots, including lists of naturally colonizing plant species. On the level area, maximum height was obtained by Leucaena leucocephala while minimum height growth was obtained by Terminalia arjuna. In terms of diameter growth Syzygium cumini was the best species. Minimum diameter growth was obtained for T. arjuna. On the sloping area, Azadirachta indica was the fastest growing species in terms of height growth while T. bellirica attained minimum height growth. In terms of diameter growth, the fastest growing species were T. bellirica and T. arjuna while L. leucocephala attained minimum diameter growth. Direct sowing of a mixture of tree species and grasses and forbs is a technique with potential for rapid stabilization of flat and sloping areas of coal mine spoil, and can accelerate natural plant succession processes, as the ground cover acts as a nurse crop and can trap air-borne seeds. Other tree species included in the test were Acacia catechu, A. nilotica, Madhuca indica [M. longifolia], Pongamia pinnata and Ziziphus jujuba [Z. mauritiana].