Question

Identify tree species which is not suitable for agroforestry systems of arid region:

• A. Albizia lebbeck
• B. Acacia tortilis
• C. Paulownia tomentosa
• D. Prosopis cineraria

Hint:

Prosopis cineraria is known as the "King of Arid Zone Trees" due to its ability to thrive in areas receiving less than \(150 \text{ mm}\) of annual rainfall while improving the yield of understory crops.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Selecting the right tree species is critical for the success of agroforestry systems, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
Trees in these regions must be drought-tolerant, have deep root systems, and withstand high temperatures and low rainfall.

Step 2: Detailed Explation:
Let us evaluate the suitability of the given species for arid zones:
• Prosopis cineraria (Khejri): This is the cornerstone species of agroforestry in the arid regions of Rajasthan, possessing extreme drought tolerance and deep taproots.

• Acacia tortilis (Israeli Babool): A highly drought-resistant tree widely used for sand dune stabilization and dryland agroforestry.

• Albizia lebbeck (Siris): A hardy, drought-tolerant nitrogen-fixing tree suitable for semi-arid and arid regions.

• Paulownia tomentosa (Empress Tree): This is a fast-growing deciduous tree tive to Chi. It has high water requirements, large leaves with high transpiration rates, and is suited for humid temperate to subtropical climates. It cannot survive the severe water stress and hot winds of arid zones.
Therefore, Paulownia tomentosa is completely unsuitable for arid agroforestry.

Step 3: Fil Answer:
The correct option is (C).