Quantitative and production status of wood in poplar plantations of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Corresponding author, Research Instructor, Research Division of Natural Resources, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shahrekord, Iran

2 Associate Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Prof., Research Division of Natural Resources, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shahrekord, Iran

4 Expert, Division of Natural Resources, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shahrekord, Iran

5 Researcher, Research Division of Natural Resources, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: Populus alba L. is the dominant poplar species grown in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran, typically planted using traditional methods. These methods result in trees with small diameters and tall heights, which are unsuitable for use in large-scale wood industries. There is a lack of comprehensive information regarding species type, tree age, current growth, annual yield, and harvest volume in the poplar plantations of the province. The primary objective of this research was to monitor and evaluate both quantitative and qualitative data on the current status of poplar cultivation in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.
Methodology: This study was conducted in Farsan and Kiyar counties, which contain the largest areas of poplar plantations in the province. A total of 39 sample plots, ranging in size from 2,500 to 4,900 m², were selected based on plantation density. In group plantings, 9 trees were sampled at the beginning, 9 in the middle, and 9 at the end of each plot. In strip cultivation, linear sampling was conducted in two directions, east-west and north-south, selecting at least 15 trees along each line. Quantitative and qualitative variables of standing trees were recorded, including species type, age, planting density, propagation method (cuttings or seedlings), production system type (group, stand, or strip planting), planting location (field edges or windbreaks), diameter at breast height, height, and volume growth. Economic and social factors, such as harvest age and felling time, were also examined. Management practices, including irrigation, soil enhancement, and pest and disease control, were documented. Data were analyzed using random sampling classification methods.
Results: A comparison of tree age between group and strip planting methods showed that increasing tree diameter is limited in group plantings due to higher planting density. As a result, traditional group plantings lead to early harvesting of smaller-diameter trees. In contrast, strip planting allows for greater tree age and diameter, owing to wider spacing and lower density. In group plantings, with an average tree age of 8.5 years, the mean diameter at breast height was 8.3 cm, the average height was 12.2 m, and the mean volume per tree was 0.0427 m³. In strip plantings, the average tree age was 15.5 years, with a diameter of 18.86 cm, height of 16.1 m, and volume per tree of 0.227 m³. Three planting spacing types were identified across the province. The most common spacing was 1.5×1 m², used in 64.9% of plantations, while 1×0.5 m² spacing accounted for only 8.1%. The 1×1 m² spacing represented 27%. The highest and lowest planting densities were recorded in Farsan and Kiyar counties, with 6,214 and 5,275 trees per hectare, respectively.
Conclusion: Maximum wood production in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province can be achieved by integrating traditional knowledge with scientific cultivation methods. Based on the findings of this study, a poplar development program can be implemented, involving increased planting spacing to 2×2 m², soil enhancement according to soil analysis, regular pruning, and effective pest and disease management.
 
 

Keywords

References

- AJOCBP, 2020. Agricultural Statistics 2020. Agricultural Jihad Organization of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (AJOCBP), Shahrekord, Iran, 234p (In Persian).
- Amani, M., 2007. Spruce Planting Environments (Cognition, Planting, Having, Harvesting and Consumptions) (translation). Published by Rah Subhan, Tehran, Iran, 280p (In Persian).
- Arazi, A., Emtehani, M.H., Ekhtesasi, M.R. and Sodaizadeh, H., 2011. Effect of tree windbreak on crop yield in arid regions. Proceedings of Second National Conference on Wind Erosion and Dust Storms. Yazd, Iran, 27 Feb. 2011: 6p (In Persian).
- Bagheri, R., Namiranian, M., Zobeiry, M. and Modir Rahmati, A.R., 2002. Determination of volume tables for Zanjan-Rood river native poplar. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 9(1): 1-36 (In Persian with English summary).
- Corona, P., Bergante, S., Marchi, M. and Barbetti, B., 2024. Quantifying the potential of hybrid poplar plantation expansion: an application of land suitability using an expert-based fuzzy logic approach. New Forests, 55: 1231-1246.
- Ghorani, M., Jahani, A. and Sardabi, H., 2014. Estimation of standing volume in Populus deltoides Marsh plantations by Huber and Smalian methods at Shafaroud forest, Guilan province. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 22(1): 74-81 (In Persian with English summary).
- Goodarzi, G.R., Modir-Rahmati, A.R. and Ahmadloo, F., 2013. Investigation on adaptability of open crown poplar clones in Markazi province. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 21(2): 256-267 (In Persian with English summary).
- Hemmati, A. and Modir Rahmati, A.R., 2002. Results of adaptation trial for high yielding poplar clones in Kermanshah's Gharb Paper Industries. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 8: 59-86 (In Persian with English summary).
- Iranmanesh, Y., Talebi, M., Jahanbazi, H., Jafari Mofidabadi, A. and Ghamari Zare, A., 2008. Investigation on hybriding utilization between Populus alba and Populus euphratica in order to produce adapted species in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Proceedings of Second National Congress on Poplar and Potential Use in Poplar Plantation. Tehran, Iran, 6-8 May 2007: 251-260 (In Persian).
- MDCBP, 2024. Weather report for Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. Meteorological Department of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province (MDCBP), Shahrekord, Iran. Available at: http://www.chbmet.ir
- Modirrahmati, A.R., 1996. Determining suitable poplar cultivars in short-rotaition exploitation periods. Final report of research project, Published by Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran, 100p (In Persian).
- Mokhtari, J., Soltani, A., Tabari Kocheksaraee, M. and Sadati, E., 2018. Quantitative and qualitative study and index choice to compare four eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh) stands in Gilan and Mazandaran. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 26(3): 368-381 (In Persian with English summary).
 
- Parsapour, M.K., Sohrabi, H., Soltani, A. and Iranmanesh, Y., 2013. Allometric equations for estimating biomass in four poplar species at Charmahal and Bakhtiari province. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 21(3): 517-529 (In Persian with English summary).
- Refahi, H., 2013. Wind Erosion and Conservation. University of Tehran Press, Tehran, Iran, 320p (In Persian).
- Srivastav, A. and Tomar, A., 2020. Commercial eucalyptus and poplar plantations – new approaches in Eastern UP. International Journal of Environmental and Agriculture Research, 6(8): 1-5.
- Talebi, M., 2009. Compatibility of different poplar cultivars to introduce the most suitable ones to the implementation department. Final report of research project, Published by Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran, 114p (In Persian).
- Talebi, M., 2019. Investigation on poplar planting and
its distribution in Iran using Sentinel-2 data (first phase)- Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. Final report of research project, Published by Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran, 42p (In Persian with English summary).
- Talebi, M., Modirrahmati, A., Jahanbazi, H., Hemati, A. and Haghighian, F., 2007. Investigation on growth characteristics of poplar clones in research nursery of Boldaji station. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 15(4): 349-364 (In Persian with English summary).
- Talebi, M., Modir-Rahmati, A.R., Jahanbazi, H., Mohammadi, H., Haghighian, F. and Shirmardi, H., 2011. Introducing the most adapted exotic poplar clones in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province, Iran. Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 19(1): 55-72 (In Persian with English summary).

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics