Terminalia arjuna is an important medicinal plant, the bark of which is useful for treatment of various diseases including fractures, ulcers and hypertension.This study involved: I) the effect of seed pretreatments for betterment of germination immediately after harvest and II) to evaluate the conditions for ex-situ conservation of arjuna seeds.Pretreatments tested to stimulate germination were: control, cold water, hot water, potassium nitrate solution, plant growth regulators and sulfuric acid.Germination response was highest by use IAA at the dose of 500 ppm, probably because of the hormonal nature of the dormancy in this species.Seeds were dried to 4.5 per cent, 8.2 per cent and 12.8 per cent moisture contents and stored at -20°C, 5°C, 15°C and 40°C for three years.Sampling for assessment of viability and moisture content was done at regular intervals.The seeds are tolerant upto 4.5 per cent moisture content, hence suggesting orthodox nature of the seed.The best results were obtained when the seeds were dried to 4.5 to 8.2 per cent moisture content prior to storage and stored in air-tight containers in 15 to -20°C.Use of these storage conditions may allow arjuna seeds to be stored for at least 3 years without a significant loss in viability and will help in conservation of this valuable species.
The nature and its elements provides happy and healthy life to man since the mind and body seeks nature for normal functioning.Natural wood gives many pro health benefits to the people.This paper reviews the pro health benefits of woodland and wood in public places, offices and indoors in details.
We conducted a study to analyse the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for pulp quality parameters of Melia dubia.For this, 30 Melia dubia genetic resources were taken to analyse its physical, chemical and strength properties.Further these properties are subjected for genetic estimates.Current study shows the estimates of low GCV and PCV for many traits indicating the role of environment in the expression of the traits.Hence, the high heritability coupled with low genetic gain for all the parameters in the current study indicated that this character is strongly under genetic control as well as environmental conditions.
The study was conducted in selected villages (1%) of Varanasi district of Eastern plain region of Uttar Pradesh in India during the year 2018 to record the crop combinations with tree species and their stratified arrangement to identify agroforestry practices.The socio-economic studies based on general village profile, land holding, land use pattern and tree species planting pattern were performed in 12 villages representing eight blocks to collect the data with structured questionnaire and participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools.The results demonstrated that a total of nine different agroforestry practices, silvi-horticulture, agrisilviculture, agri-horticulture, aqua-silviculture, agri-silvi-horticulture, agri-silvi-pastoral, silvi-pastoral, silvi-medicinal and homestead existed in different villages.Out of different categories, timber, fruits, medicinal, agriculture, flower and other plant species were recorded.It was recorded that out of existing agroforestry practices, scattered near farms and around homestead was found most common (about 47.0 %).The benefits from agro forestry practices in the villages was also assessed and ranked in their order of preferences in respective blocks of district.The different benefits as shade, fruits/vegetables, timber, protection, firewood, soil erosion, medicinal and fodder were scored from 1 to 8. The status of tree plantation in different area was also studied and found trees of mango were most abundant (33.1%), it was noticed that old mango trees were of deshi variety but new trees were mostly of kalmi variety for fruits.The Neem trees were recorded (25.5 %) followed by shisham (9.5 %) and teak (14.0 %).It was concluded from the results that status of agro forestry in the studied zonal area of the region is in developing stage and needs to be improved by imparting technical knowledge about planting material, methods and sale of end produces of trees to the farmers and tree growers.
Agroforestry plays a vital role in the biological build up of nutrients and sustaining soil fertility for growing crops and getting higher yields for livelihood security.An experiment on nutrient dynamics was conducted from the year 2006 to 2016 at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad on medium black soils under rainfed conditions.Sapota was planted at 8 x 8 m spacing and one timber tree is planted in between two sapota trees.Five timber tree species viz., Pterocarpus marsupium, Tectona grandis, Terminalia paniculata, Lagerstroemia lanceolata and Terminalia alata were planted in between two sapota and compared to sole sapota.Field crops viz., soybean and safflower were grown in alleys of sapota-timber trees every year in both Kharif and Rabi season, respectively.The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with four replications.Both physical and chemical parameters and litter fall was worked out.The integration of timber trees with sapota + field crops, pH, EC, WHC, moisture content was increased as compared to initial values.The nutrient build up of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium were increased with Tectona grandis, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Pterocarpus marsupium with sapota + Field crop as compared to other treatments.Hence, the trees in association with annuals could control runoff, improve soil quality, increase productivity and income of the famers.
Field experiment was conducted at B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand (Gujarat) during Rabi season of 2012-13 and 2013-14 to evaluate Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to integrated nitrogen management and their residual effect on succeeding forage cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.).Seven nitrogen management treatments through chemical fertilizer and manures and three levels of bio-fertilizer inoculation were replicated three times.Result of the experiment revealed that75% RDN + 25% RDN from FYM when applied in the wheat it produced higher growth, yield attributing characters, grain yield (3716 kg ha -1 ) and net returns (Rs.29304 ha -1 ) while, application of 100% RDN (120 kg N) produced higher straw yield (7771 kg ha -1 ) of wheat.The seed inoculation with Azotobacter chroococum and Azospirillum lipoferum maximize the growth, yield attributing characters, yields of wheat (3328 kg ha -1 ) and secured higher net return (Rs.21932 ha -1 ).However, green fodder (275 q ha -1 ), dry matter yield of succeeding forage cowpea (66 q ha -1 ) were significantly influenced by residual effect of treatment 25% RDN + 25% from FYM + 25% from VC + 25% from CC. Azotobacter + Azospirilium inoculation treatment were maximize green fodder 250 and dry fodder yield 60 q ha -1 of wheat-forage cowpea sequence in sandy loam soils under middle Gujarat agro-climatic conditions.
Assessment of major nutrients of open and closed type of termite mound soil showed that available nitrogen and phosphorus were comparatively higher both in the surface and sub-surface layer than normal soil.Bacterial population was high in the sub-surface soil collected from closed termite mound (75.5 × 10 5 cfu/g of soil) and open termite mound (65.5 × 10 5 cfu/g of soil) compared to the normal soil (30.5 × 10 5 cfu/g of soil).Likewise, Actinomycetes population was also observed to be high in the sub-surface soil of both open and closed type of termite mounds.
A study was under taken to standardize the type of cutting, concentration of growth hormone and suitable rooting media to produce elite seedlings in Morinda citrifolia at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam.Investigation was carried out to standardize the treatments to induce root and shoot growth in different types of cuttings of Morinda citrifolia L. using two growth regulators (IAA, IBA) used in different concentrations (1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 ppm) in two kinds growth medium (Sand and Coir) for different type of cuttings, 2500 ppm IBA treatment recorded its superiority in terms of maximum sprouting (85%), rooting (79%) and survival (70%) percentage, number of roots (15.83), root length (8.51 cm), number of shoots (4.00) and shoot length (9.43 cm) in leafy shoot cuttings, irrespective of rooting media used.From this current study it is concluded that, for macro clonal propagation of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.), either leafy shoot cuttings or hard wood cuttings could be treated with 2500 ppm IBA or semi hard wood cuttings could be treated with 1500 ppm IAA and could be planted in coir pith medium for the production of elite planting materials.
The present study was conducted to find out suitable management options against this disease, a field trial was carried out using six fungicides viz., Coper hydrocide 77% WP @ (0.10%), Trifloxistrobin + Tebuconazole 75WG (0.04 %), Propaconazole 25 EC (0.10%), Kresoxim methyl 44.3 SC (0.04 %), Copper oxychloride (0.25 %) and Carbendazim 50 WP (0.10 %).There was significant difference among the treatments in false smut disease severity and yield.The best results was obtained in treatment of spraying rice field byTrifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole 75WG with maximum reduction in disease severity (68.6) and disease incidence (48.1), which gave least disease severity (1.6 %) and disease incidence (8.6), it was at par with the treatment propiconazole 25 EC (2.6 %), followed Kresoxim Methyl 44.3 SC (2.9).However Carbendazim 50 per cent WP treated plots showed highest (4.0%) disease severity and 15.8 per cent disease incidence.In terms of grain yield, the treatment with Trifloxystrobin + Tebuconazole 75WG gave maximum increase (23.6 %) in yield and 15.2 per cent increase in 1000 grain weight, it is followed by Propaconazole 25 EC with 21.6 per cent increase in grain yield and 10.6 per cent increase in 1000 grain weight.The least percentage increase of grains yield (11.13%) and 1000 grain weight (4.0%) was recorded in carbendazim sprayed plots.
The present investigation emphasizes trends in growth and instability of pearl millet and paddy crop in Western Maharashtra.Traditionally, pearl millet has been important millet and the main component of the food basket of the poor people and dry farming system in India.The district wise compound growth rates of area, production and productivity of pearl millet for each district as well as Western Maharashtra as a whole for 53 years of study period viz., 1960-61 to 2012-13 using log-linear production function were worked out for the entire period the area has continuously declined for all districts of Western Maharashtra except Ahmednagar district.The production of pearl millet was increased mainly due to the productivity improvement.The production and productivity of paddy has been increased in Nasik, Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Nandurbar districts while, it is declined in Dhule, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar and Solapur districts.For the entire period (1960-61 to 2012-13) productivity was highly increased in Nandurbar district with 6.66 per cent per annum.
Madhuca indica J.F. Gmel.(mahua) tree is also known as tree of poor because it fulfills many requirements of poor people of rural landscape.It is also known as reward of nature to poor/tribal communities because the survival of tribal communities still depends on different non-timber forest products (NTFP) obtained from Mahua.It is a multipurpose tree of traditional agroforestry systems of Bundelkhand.It has been one of the major sources of food for poor communities living in rural areas.The Mahua tree produce a variety of NTFP namely flower, seed, seed oil, seed cake, leaves, stem bark etc.The present study was carried out to explore multiple uses of mahua products and its role in rural life of the poor communities of the Mawai Bujurg, Banda Uttar Pradesh.We conducted survey of Mawai Bujurg and collected information related to different products of mahua other than wood.We recorded that the dried flowers are used in preparation of mahuasharvat a local drink for some special occasion.The dried flowers also used after boiling with sattu in rheumatism, to get relieve from the pain; whereas some people also prepare "Mahudi" a local vine by fermenting the dried flowers.The green leaves are also used during worship on festivals and marriage ceremony.The bark is a rich source of protein, therefore, the dried bark is boiled with tea and consumed.Other than providing protein the bark is also cures some diseases viz., diarrhea, tonsillitis, leprosy etc. Seeds are also eaten and edible seed oil called Butter or Ghee and used for cooking purposes.
Poplar is an important tree of agroforestry systems.Among several insect pests Clostera spp.pose serious threat to the poplar trees as it defoliates their leaves completely.Hisar, Haryana witnessed the outbreak of this pest during September-October months in the year 2016.Keeping that in view, biology of this insect was studied during October 2016.The total duration of immature stage was found to be 24.1 days.The fecundity of adult females recorded to be 186 eggs per female.Full grown final instar larva consumed 2.99 g.The life history information would be useful in efficient management of this pest.
The performance regarding Bt technology and its impact on farming community have been assessed in Middle Gujarat based mainly on primary data using tabular analysis.The farmer's perceptions on the impact of Bt cotton technology on various dimensions were ascertained and analyzed in terms of "positive", "neutral" and "negative".The impact of Bt cotton, as perceived by the farmers, has been in terms of enhanced yield; reduced pest and disease incidence; increased income, employment, education and standard of living; and reduced health risk.To foster adoption, availability of quality and quantity of Bt cotton seed to farmers needs greater attention of development agencies, while researchers' attention is called for incorporating resistance/ tolerance to Spodoptera and pink bollworms.The major production, marketing and economic constraints faced by the Bt cotton growers were non-availability of agricultural labour during peak seasons, high incidence of attack from sucking insect-pests and bollworms, fluctuation in the market prices, lack of transportation facilities, high cost of quality Bt seeds and high cost of fertilizers and pesticides.
A study conducted in North West region of Rajasthan among 66 farmers sampled from four districts namely, Bikaner, Sriganganagar, Sikar and Hanumangarh.Among the districts 22 villages were selected randomly and all respondents were possessing limited irrigation resources.Improved package of practices for oats cultivation were maintained regarding forage demonstrations.The study was conducted for three years (i.e.2011-12 to 2013-14) during Rabi season under RKVY project, governed by SKRAU, Bikaner and funded by Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, GOI through Govt. of Rajasthan, Jaipur.Findings of the study revealed that increase in yield in demonstration plots due to adoption of improved package of practices was ranged between 31.6 to 55.56 per cent with mean per cent increase of 44.31% as compared to traditional practices of oats cultivation.In case of technology gap 154.50 q/ha overall mean difference was observed whereas 75.00 q/ha yield an average extension gap and a wide technology gap of 42.0 per cent was recorded as a result of difference between technology generated by the researchers and its adoption at the farmers fields.However, the overall adoption index increased from 7.00 to 46.70 per cent due to intervention of the project.Study further highlighted that the comparison of cost: benefit ratio between traditional practice and the adoption of improved practices indicated that demonstrations technology proved twice profitable as compared to existing traditional practices.While an overall increase adoption index noted were 3.5 to 49.8, 4.6 to 34.6, 12.9 to 49.81, 8.85 to 63.9, 4.9 to 34.2 and 7.3 to 48.4 per cent for the improved varieties, seed treatment, fertilizer and irrigation management, weed control and plant protection measures and cutting management practices, respectively.
Currently, the stalks generated after cotton harvest is burnt in the field itself which results in soil fertility deterioration and environmental pollution.ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai has developed technologies for on-farm utilization of cotton stalks to restore soil fertility and bring additional remuneration to farmers by preparation of bio-enriched compost and cultivation of oyster mushroom using cotton stalks.The chipped cotton stalks of 3-4 cm in length were used for compost preparation.The bioenriched compost was prepared from cotton stalks using microbial consortium within two months.The NPK level of cotton stalks compost was three times higher than farm yard manure.The application of 2 tonnes of cotton stalks compost per acre could sufficiently replace the requirement of 5 tonnes of farm yard manure in integrated nutrient management practice.The cost of production of one tonne of cotton stalks compost was Rs. 3000/-while market cost of farm yard manure ranges from Rs. 3000 to 3500/-.Thus, on an average, a farmer can save Rs. 9000/-per acre by replacing farm yard manure with cotton stalks compost.The hot water treated chipped cotton stalks of 3-4 cm length were used for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) cultivation.The mushroom was cultivated by hanging bag technique during July to September, 2016.The average cropping period of mushroom was 27 days.About 130 g of mushroom was harvested from one kg of cotton stalks.The cost of production of one kg of oyster mushroom is Rs.50 including spawn cost.The market value of oyster mushroom is Rs.150/-.As an entrepreneurial activity, a cotton farmer can earn minimum of Rs. 1000/-for compost preparation while, Rs. 10,000/-for oyster mushroom cultivation from one acre of land, besides utilizing stalks generated in the field.
Mukundpur forest range is situated in Amarpatan Tahsil of Satna district of Madhya Pradesh India. The range has geographical area of 589.71 km2 with forest area111.55 km2. This area is under high disturbances and ecological stress due to manmade activities, the associations of soil parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, availability of major nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium) and micro nutrients like (Copper, Manganese, Iron and Zinc) with forests density are analyzed. This will help for the restoration of density of present forests for management purposes. The result indicates that all density classes soil pH does not change significantly. Electrical conductivity plays an important role in various density classes. In blank, encroachment and stocked density classes organic carbon content is significantly higher than the average value of organic carbon content of the study area. The forest soil till it remains in natural state and there is no breaking of land takes place, it tries to retain and check the organic matter content. As long as forest of the study area remains in UN degraded state, the average value of available nitrogen maintains the average value of study area. The observed value of available phosphorous in kg/ha maintains its average value of available phosphorous till the degradation in density take place from stocked forest to blank forest, but breaking of land in encroachment category increases the available phosphorus. The average value of available K2O in blank, encroachment and stocked classes do not change significantly with average K2O value of study area. The average value of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in encroachment category changes significantly with average value of the study area. When we take combined effect of pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon on study area it indicates no significant association with respect to various density of classes. Similarly when we take the combined effect of macro nutrient (nitrogen, P2O5, K2O), and micro nutrient (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) on study area these combined parameters do not indicate significant association with respect to various density classes.
Bamboo is as a raw material found in whole over India.A number of production techniques can be used to improve the properties of MDF; particularly the tensile strength perpendicular to grain (internal bond).One of the new techniques is needle punch.Where-in the wooden frame with needles is used to punch the fibre mattress before making a board.Effect of needle punch technique on physical and mechanical properties of MDF board was evaluated.Boards were prepared from bamboo with 6%, 8% and 10% phenol formaldehyde resin using needle punch technique (two time punch) after the mat formation at three different pressure i.e., 14 kg/cm 2 , 17.5 kg/cm 2 and 21 kg/cm 2 , respectively, for 15 minute hot pressing.The physical and mechanical properties of MDF board were evaluated as per IS specification 12406:2003.An increase trend in the internal bond strength of MDF board with the increase in needle punching during mat formation as well as resin content and pressure was observed.The results indicate that suitable MDF boards can be prepared using needle punch technique (two time punch) with 10% resin content at 21kg/cm 2 specific pressure which meets most of the other physical and mechanical properties as per IS: 12406:2003.Some of the physical properties of board like water absorption and general swelling were higher than the Indian Standard requirements which can be controlled by suitable treatment.
The present study was carried out with an objective to evaluate the density, moisture content, water absorption, general swelling, surface absorption, modulus of rupture, internal bonding and screw withdrawal strength of experimental Particle Board prepared from admixture (50:50) of Populus deltoides and Broussonetia papyifera.The Particle Boards were made with 8 per cent, 10 per cent and 12 per cent Phenol Formaldehyde resin and hot pressed at 21 kg/cm 2 for 12 minute.The physical and mechanical properties of resulted Particle Board meet the requirement of Indian Standard specification IS: 3087 (1985).The swelling of board is slightly higher than the require Indian Standard specification (3087) which can be controlled by suitable treatment.
