Plans are afoot to replace acacia and eucalyptus trees on government holdings with fruit-bearing trees to arrest depletion of ground water. The water consumption of teak trees during summer months was almost zero as they shed leaves during the period. The research paper, 'water loss from tree plantations in the tropics,' was published by Jose Kallarackal and C.K. Factors like transpirational water loss (loss of water through leaf or stem) and evapotranspiration (the transfer of water from land to atmosphere by transpiration) were monitored during the pre- and post-monsoon seasons, said Dr. Somen. Rooting depth (depth to which the roots travel) of cashew trees and eucalyptus was found to be higher than acacia.

Source: The Hindu May 15, 2017 03:00 UTC