Abstract
Diurnal leaf net photosynthetic rate was measured from 06.00 to 18.00 hours in summer and winter seasons in seven indigenous tropical deciduous tree species, viz., Chukrasia tabularis, Dolichandrone atrovirens, Eugenia jambolana, Gmelina arborea, Lannea coromandelica, Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia bellirica. Maximum net photosynthetic rate was observed in the morning and it decreased towards the evening in both summer and winter seasons and it decreased towards the evening in both summer and winter seasons in all tree species studied. It was maximum in Gmelina arborea and least in Chukrasia tabularis. The measurement of diurnal course of net photosynthetic rate of some selected tree species may be used as useful criteria for screening and selecting the right type of indigenous forest tree species prospective for national developmental programmes such as afforestation, agroforestry and social forestry.
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