Growth and productivity of Casuarina equisetifolia in farmlands

Casuarina equisetifolia have been recognized as an important pulpwood species for farmers in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Orissa, Puducherry, Gujarat, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Karnataka. At present, the wood of Casuarina from farmlands is the most important source of raw materials for paper industries, besides poles of Casuarina being used as poles and fuel wood. Growth and productivity of casuarinas highly varies across different sites. Also, huge variation exists within plantation in terms of growth and wood production in individual trees. The potential productivity of this species under different site conditions and management practices has been reviewed from the scattered information available. This review benchmarks the present level of productivity of C. equisetifolia which in turn will aid in basing targets for any future productivity enhancement attempts in this species.