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N. K. Sharma , J. S. Samra , K. S. Dadhwal

Abstract

Poplar plantations, grown in association with wheat, are getting popularized with the farmers in India. Poplar is a deciduous tree and its leaf fall occurs before wheat sowing. Its leaves are buried in field during field preparations. Therefore, a pot study was conducted for two years to study the changes in growth parameters and yield of wheat due to presence of Poplar leaf litter (no litter; 10 g pot^-1 and 15 g pot^-1). Further, two levels of fertilizers (M_n , no fertilizer and M₁, application of full recommended dose of fertilizer, @ 120, 60 and 40 kg ha^-1 N,P,K, respectively) were kept to see the influence of mulch on the performance of wheat in combination with nutrients. Leaf litter used as a source of mulch during first and second year were from the 3 and 4 year old plantation, respectively. Growth and yield response of wheat to fertilizer were significantly superior than those of without fertilizer. Grain yield increased significantly when 15 g pot^-l of 3 year old Poplar leaves were incorporated into soil. On the other hand, straw yield increased significantly when low dose (l0g pot^-l) of 3 year old Poplar leaf was used. Better growth and higher grain yield were recorded when leaf litter was incorporated in combination with fertilizer and as well as with the higher doses of leaves. Results of pot experiment revealed that better growth and higher grain yield can be obtained by incorporating the Poplar leaf in combination with chemical fertilizers.

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N. K. Sharma , J. S. Samra , H. P. Singh

Abstract

Poplar with high productivity in 6-12 years rotation is being preferred, particularly as boundary plantations, in various agroforestry systems in northern part of India. A quantitative approach is an important step in the quest for a better understanding of the complex mechanisms of tree-crop interaction, which should offer scientific basis for designing more productive and sustainable agroforestry systems. This paper reports on the quantitative estimations of various interactions occurring at the tree line/crop interface of Poplar and wheat grown on irrigated alluvial soil in Western U.P. No significant adverse effect was noticed on wheat crop when grown with association of 3 year old boundary plantation of Poplar. However, a significant decline of 15.5 per cent was recorded only up to a distance of 3 m from the tree base due to 4 year old plantation. Water use of the system increased upto 6 m from the tree line which caused moisture stress to the wheat crop. At the same time boundary plantation of Poplar had favourable effect on the micro-climate which improved the status of soil moisture between 6-9 m distance and increased the water use efficiency. Competition for natural resources was reduced between weeds and wheat due to reduction in weed population and biomass in the system. Litter production averaged 1103 kg ha^-1 in 3 and 4 year old plantation and this returned 12,2.5,8,21.3 and 8.6 kg ha^-1 ofN, P, K, Ca and Mg to the soil. Addition of leaflitter near the tree line tended to change the physico-chemical properties of the soil.

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A. Raizada , J. S. Samra

Abstract

Rehabilitation of mine spoiled areas through suitable bioengineering measures and allowing natural succession of vegetation to progress is an essential step towards ecosystem recovery. In this paper, the effect of such measures accompanied with protection of an abandoned limestone mine have been described. Development of vegetation and its phytosociological characteristics were compared with an adjoining but slightly disturbed natural forest situated in the lower sub-humid Himalayan region. In the rehabilitated area, an introduced species Leucaena leucocephala, had the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) of 66.05, followed by a sedge species Eriophorum cosmosum (lVI 58.85) and Acacia catechu (IVI 51.85). The area also supported a significant growth of Thysaloena maxima and Saccharum spontaneum. In the adjoining non-mined forest, the highest IVI value was recorded for Corcorus laurifolius (55.98), followed by Mallotus phillipensis (47.55), Murraya koenigii (38.71) and Bauhinia retusa (37.02). These species, which are associates of Shorea robusta forests, are valuable fodder species in the region specially during the winters, and were, therefore, not harvested while timber yielding species like Shorea robusta and Toona ciliata are now totally absent from the area. Cluster analysis and ordination by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct loading of plots along different axis due to an underlying edaphic gradient, external seeding and soil moisture availability. Diversity (H') of tree species in the natural forest was higher than the rehabilitated area, which otherwise had higher diversity values for shrubs and grasses. It is suggested that existing levels of biotic disturbances be restricted for some more time to provide an opportunity for late colonizers to establish themselves in the area.

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Swarn Lata Arya , J. S. Samra

Abstract

An attempt was made in the present paper to study the effect of a watershed management project on energy consumption pattern in Shiwalik foothill village in Haryana State. The project helped the villagers to reduce their dependency on fuel wood for domestic use and thereby reduction in indiscriminate cutting of trees. This happened because of increase in dung production in the village as a result of stall feeding of animals and change in the composition of animal population in favour of buffaloes from goats. Grazing the animals in the community forest area was stopped voluntarily after the formation of Hill Resource Management Society. Besides analysing the family fuel wood requirement on the basis of socio-economic parameters using multiple regression approach, the paper has also outlined the potentials of developing the use of gobar gas for reducing the dependency on commercial as well as conventional non-commercial sources of energy.

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J. S. Samra , R. M. Singhal , S. P. Banerjee , S. D. Sharma

Abstract

Clay mineralogical characterisation of soils of four different natural vegetational sequences of South Kheri forest division has been attempted. Sand mineralogical analysis revealed that the soils have developed from the same source. Hence differences in their characteristics might have been triggered off by the diversity in their vegetative cover. Ellite was present in all the soils with different relative propositions. Vermiculite, mixed minerals and chlorite seem to be present in higher amount in Argiustolls, Haplustolla and Haplustalfs having more diversity in their natural vegetation. Ellite dominated in Ustochrepts under a purest and of Shorea robusta. More alteration of Ellite or neo-synthesis of vermiculite and chlorite seems to have taken in soils with comparitively wet soil moisture regims as evidenced from the natural groeth of moisture loving indicator species like Syzygium cumini and Terminalia alata.

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J. S. Samra , B. G. Dabral , Kalyan Singh

Abstract

Regeneration of Sal (Shorea robusta) with reference to morphological, physico-chemical, topographical and ischolar_main distribution characteristics of lithosphere have been studied in West Dehra Dun Forest Division of U.P. Soil temperature and moisture at two depths along with air temperature at two heights were also monitored throughout the year. Poor drainage, deficient aeration, dispersed conditions of soil during monsoon due to high Mg, soil moisture stress coupled with hardness during dry periods and topographic location seem to be important edephic factors governing natural regeneration of Sal. Compartively low temperature and high amplitude in diurnal variation in air and soli temperature during winter season possibily due to scanty ground flora, absence of shrub layer and topographical location may be some of micro-climatic factors, affecting natural regeneration.

Keywords

Edaphic Factors, Mioroclimatology, Regeneration

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J. S. Samra , S. P. Banerjee , R. M. Singhal

Abstract

Some soil biosequences occurring on a nearly similar toposequence have been classified with special reference to the role of natural vegetation on thier genesis. Sandy hyporthermic typic Haplumbrept and Ustochrepts are the major silviculturally important soils of this area. From the organic carbon content (Organic productivity turn-over) and its relative distribution along depth, comparision of base status in different horizons and clay migration, it appears that marks of grassy woodland ecotones on the genesis of Argiustoils are quite evident. Thick B-horizons, migration of clay, lower base saturation, gradual decrease in organic carbon and redistribution of exchangeable Ca and Mg possibly due to phytocycling among various horizons indicate the dominant role played by tree species in the comparatively more weathered habitats of Udic Haplustalfs. Silvicultural suitability of different taxas have been discussed.

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J. S. Samra , R. M. Singhal , S. D. Sharma

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Variation in site index (S.I.) of 4-13 year old Eucalyptus plantations have been discussed in relation to physico-chemical characteristics of soil of Tarai Central Forest Division. S.I. ranged from 15.2 to 25.8 metres at an index age of 8 years. S.I. was generally higher in Aquolls and Udolls of lower peidmonts (Tarai) where soil characteristics associated with excessive wetness were observed. However, high pH due to distribution of CaCO₃ throughout the profile affected site index adversely. Growth of Eucalyptus was the lowest in skeletal Haplustolls of upper peidmont (Bhabar) because of the presence of gravels and pebbles. Sandy texture of non-skeletal Haplustolls also seem to have lowered the S.I. in the transition zone between upper (Bhabar) and lower (Tarai) peidmonts. Roots were crinckled, twisted and bunchy in appearance indicating restricted distribution in skeletal soils.

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J. S. Samra , P. S. Payal , S. D. Sharma

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This investigation was undertake on Northern and Southern aspects of two ranges of hills separated by a narrow long valley. Sal (Shores robusta) is the predominant natural vegetation in the upper storey. Quality class of Sal ranged from 1.0 to 3.14 in Haplustalfs, 2.15 to 2.50 in Argiustolls and 1.86 to 2.30 in Haplustolls. Best quality class 1 of Sal was observed in Hapluatalfs on Northern aspect. However growth performance within a given level of taxa varied considerably mostly due to land and to some extent due to soil characteristics. In coarse loamy skeletal Udic Haplustolls and sandy skeletal Typic Udortha is, presence of gravels reduces the effective volume of soil which gets compensated to some extent due to deeder penetration of ischolar_mains but quality is next to Udic Haplustalfs. From morphological characteristics and evidences of phytocycling of Ca and Mg it seems that interactions of natural vegetation and soil development very considerably in different soils. Haplustalfs on Northern aspect which receive more solar radiation and where growth of vegetation is better represent more developed soils as compared to Southern aspects.

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R. M. Singhal , J. S. Samra , S. D. Sharma , P. Pande , S. K. Sharma

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Interrelationship between the soils and vegetation have been discused in respect of a forest land of Dun Valley (U.P.) having sal (Shorea rabusta), teak (Tectona grandis) and miscellaneous species as its main vegetation. The soils under various types of vegetation differ marginally from one another at various levels. The soil under teak and miscellaenous species contain comparatively more available nutrients than soils under sal, which has otherwise sustained greater interaction by vegetation during the course of their development.

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K. Singh , S. K. Sharma , R. M. Singhal , J. S. Samra , S. D. Sharma

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A soils investigation was conducted in April. 1979 in some salt-affected and normal soils of South Kheri Forest division (U.P.) in order to compare (I) saline-sodie soils where all forest species have failed to grow, (ii) sodie soils having fair growth of some tolerant forest species, and (iii) Normal soils having good stand of natural sal forest. These soils vary widely in several morphological. Physical and chemical characteristics and accordingly, the forest species have shown varying growth response. In general, all forest species have failed to grow on CO₃-CI type saline-sodic soils which are compact and indurated with cemented bed of CaCO₃ (kankar) nodules mixed in clay pan, have drainage donditions very poor, pH>9.5, ESP>40 and EC> 4 m mhos/cm. Few lines on reclamation of these soils have also been suggested. Tendu (Diospyros tomentosa). Dhak (Butea monosperma) Mahus (Madlmca indica). Dudhi (Wrightia tomentosa). Jamun (Syzygium cumini) and Rohini (Mallotus philippinensis) are able to grow on CI-HCO₃ type sodic soils having a maximum pH value 8.0. EC of saturation extract 4 m mhos/cm at 25°C and ESP 10 in top one metre deep soil but in subsoil tolerance of plants may go upto the values of pH 9.3, ESP 40 and EC 4. A good growth of sal (Shorea robbusta) is obtained in well drained nonsaline-nonsodic soils.

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J. S. Samra

Abstract

Presence of kaolinite in significant amounts, hydrated axides of Iron, comparatively high organic carbon in lower layers, absence of 14 7 and 4.7° A peaks of chlorite and vermiculite and degraded nature of illite in the soils of Naghan and Gunio Rao compartments, qualifies them to represent compuatively more weathered soil sequences. Syzygium cumini indicating relatively moist regime and hence probably more intense weathering have been found to be natural associate of Shoreo robusta in comparatively more weathered soils. Significant amount of blite with smal; quantities of chlorite and vermiculite in the clay fraction of Guliapani and Sunmanthapia compartments having mainly Shorea robusta in the upper storey with non-exacting species like Mallotus philipensis in the second storey, shrub and ground , layer, suggest that soils of these sites are comparatively less weathered representing young sequences and more fertile sites.

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