Author

Tulshi Upadhyay

Abstract

Machilus gamblei  King ex Hook.f. (Syn. Persea bombycina (King ex Hook.f.) Kosterm.of family Lauraceae, has gained considerable importance in traditional agroforestry system of Assam due to its high value from the point of view of the sericulture industry. Machilus gamblei leaves have mainly been used as the primary food for Antherea assama Westwood, the silk worm that produces golden silk called “Muga”.  About 14,441.72 hectares of land have been used for the plantation of Machilus gamblei in Assam making it as the largest Machilus gamblei growing region of the world. Though having high economic value of agroforestry, a little is known about its ecological services to humankind. As a woody perennial plant it serves the same ecological role as that of forest trees. It has a promising potential to sequester atmospheric carbon in plant as well as in soil.

Pages: 252-256

Doi Number 10.5958/2455-7218.2022.00036.5

Keywords Agroforestry, Carbon sequestration, Machilus gamblei, Muga silk, Sericulture