ECONOMIC ROTATION OF VACHELLIA NILOTICA (KIKAR) AND EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS (SUFEIDA) IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The economic rotation of two different tree species was calculated during 2020 in two different tehsils (sub-districts) namely Gujranwala and Khushab which are located in Punjab province of Pakistan. Vachellia is a common tree grown on the farmlands of Gujranwala while Eucalyptus is a common tree growing on the farmlands of Khushab. So that these two tree species were selected from two different tehsils of Punjab. Vachellia is grown at a rotation of 10 to 20 years while Eucalyptus is grown on 5 to 12 years rotation. For the evaluation of economic rotation of both tree species, net present worth and benefit cost ratio was calculated. 300 trees of both tree species were randomly selected from their respective tehsils. Different rotations of Eucalyptus were tested viz., 12 years rotation, 6 + 6 = 12 years, 8 + 4= 12 years and 4 + 8 = 12 years, while the total span (12 years) was kept same in all rotations. The total span was kept at 12 years because this tree is grown at a maximum rotation of 12 years on the farmlands. Similarly, different rotations were tested in case of Vachellianilotica viz., 10 years, 5 + 5 = 10 years and 6 + 4 = 10 years with the same total span of 10 years. In case of Eucalyptus, net present worth was found to be Rs. 4035.525, 4506.45, 4310.375 and 4379.175 at a rotation of 12, 6+6 = 12, 8+4=12 and 4+8 = 12 years, respectively. However, best rotation was found to be 6 + 6 = 12 years with highest net present worth. Similarly in case of Vachellia, net present worth was found to be Rs. 4844.532, 5155 and 5675.322 at a rotation of 10 years, 5 + 5 = 10 years and 6 + 4 = 10 years, respectively. rotation of 6 + 4 = 10 years was found to be best. It is recommended that farmers of Khushab should grow Eucalyptus trees at a rotation of 6 + 6 = 12 years. The farmers of Gujranwala are recommended to raise Vachellia trees on a rotation of six years followed by another short rotation of 4 years for more financial benefits.