Planting depth management increases early growth, aboveground biomass, and carbon storage of Eucalyptus pellita at Ultisols in South Sumatra

Planting depth management is a silvicultural regime that highly related to standing productivity. However, the influence of planting depth on stand productivity is not deeply understood by forest managers. This study examined the effect of planting depth on early growth, aboveground biomass, and carbon storage in Eucalyptus pellita which planted in Ultisols. An experiment comprising two treatments of planting depth, namely 10 cm and 20 cm, was set up using a randomized complete block design. Several parameters were selected to assess the preliminary growth of E. pellita, i.e. survival rate, height, diameter, and volume. Aboveground biomass and carbon storage were estimated in each tree component such as stem, branches, bark, and leaves. Data collection was conducted in 6, 12, and 18 months after planting. Comparison means of every indicator were analyzed using t-test with a significant level of 5%. Results demonstrated the different planting depths did not have a significant influence on survival rate as well as biomass distribution and carbon storage in leaves at the end of 18 months. Nevertheless, a substantial effect of planting depth was obviously recorded in all the rest indicators. The use of planting depth 20 cm potentially increased volume, biomass, and carbon storage ranging 21.5 – 32.1%.