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The plantation of Populus deltoides using different plantation and moisture conservation techniques was done in problematic (degraded) land of the Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-Kashmir, Benihama Campus, Ganderbal at an altitude of 5850 feet above mean sea level in the year 2013-2014. The existing land of the experimental site was pertaining to three types of land problems namely: degraded underutilized (scrub dominated), degraded pastures/grazing lands, barren rocky/stony waste. The experimental site falls in a mid to high altitude characterized by hot summers and very cold winters. The average precipitation is 690 mm most of which is received from December to April in the form of snow and rains. The plantation of Populus deltoides was laid out in a randomized complete block design (Factorial). Two planting seasons, three pit sizes, three pit types and three moisture conservation measures were analyzed for survival and growth of plantation. There were 54 treatment combinations, which were replicated two times in statistical design. Results showed that out of two planting seasons studied, autumn planting was better compared to spring planting. Among the pit types saucer pits showed better results compared to ordinary pits and ring pits in the experimental site. Growth parameters were also recorded higher in 60×60 cm3 pit size and under black polythene mulch.

Key words: plantation, survival, growth, pit, degraded.