Informatics Publishing Limited

A. K. Pandey , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

The Satpura plateau region of Central India is home of numerous herb species. The agroclimatic conditions prevailing in the region provides an ideal habitat for the natural growth of variety of plants and herbs, which provide raw materials for pharmaceutical, phytochemical, food, flavoring and cosmetic industries. The paper provides information on 92 medicinal plants used by the Gond, Bharia and Korku tribes of Chhindwara, Betul, Hosangabad and Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh, India, for the treatment of various diseases. Traditional medicine remains an integral part of the health system in this region of Central India. Medicinal plants of forest origin hold great promise to enhance the health and source of livelihood to the forest dwellers.

Keywords

Satpura Plateau, Central India, Medicinal Plants, Health Care, Rural Economy,
Tribals

Full Text

     

A. K. Pandey , A. K. Patra , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

Satpura Plateau of Madhya Pradesh with diverse agro-climatic conditions, Jarge biodiversity and strategic geographical location is likely to emerge as a leading producer and supplier of medicinal plants. The paper gives a resume of activities undertaken in recent years by Centre for Forestry Research and Human Resource development, Chhindwara as a part of eudeavour towards conserving the medicinal plant wealth and promoting the cultivation of medicinal plant. Training programmes on conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants have also been carried out as apart of Human Resource Development activity. Agrotechniques have been developed for the cultivation of Abelmoschus moschatus, Acorus calamus, Andrographis paniculata, Rauvolfia serpentina, Withania somnifera, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon martinii and Mentha arvensis.

Full Text

     

A. K. Singh , S. K. Banerjee , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

Medicinal plants form an integral part of rural and urban lifestyle. But many of the species have reached the stage of 'endangered and threatened' because of over-exploitation of forests, uncontrolled grazing and fire. In India nearly 175 million ha of land is degraded, out of which 93 million ha is lying waste. This land is not suitable for growing agricultural crops economically but can be effectively used for growing medicinal plants after proper management. In this review, species suitability for different types of wastelands, proper amendments for boosting the growth of these plants etc. have been discussed in length.

Full Text

     

Akhilesh Argal , Nanita Berry , L. K. Sood , P. K. Chawdhry , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

This paper analyzes market price variation of seven timber species in M.P. over a period of about 20 years. The auction result data for major timber depots of Central Circle, Jabalpur, M.P.) are the basis of analysis. The analysis shows that the prices of major timber spp., viz. Teak, Sal, Bija, Haldu, Saja, Dhawa and Salai have increased over the year. The increase was about 40% to 45% dnring 1987.88 to 1990.91. During 1990-91 to 1995-96 increase was about 85% to 100%, whereas during 1995-96 to 2000-01, the increase was comparatively less (0 to 25%). The comparatively less increase in price during 1995.96 to 2000-2001 may be attributed to import of timber from Nigeria, Ghana, Burma, Malaysia; on account of large scale felling of Sal trees during 1998.99 and also due to general slack is economy.

Full Text

     

S. K. Banerjee , A. K. Singh , A. Jain , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

Land degradation is a global phenomenon. Endless desires of man have put enormous pressure on this valuable natural resource. India is reported to have 175 million ha of land under various stages of degradation. Deforestation and improper land management are the main reasons. The great diversity in topographic conditions is responsible for an annual loss of about 6000 million tonnes of top fertile soil. Any improvement programme concerning soil health can not be achieved unless it incorporates soil and water conservation. Studies were conducted to assess improvement in soil properties due to adoption of soil-water conservation method (staggered trenching) on hilly slope in Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh , India. At site I Tectona grandis was planted at 2 m × 2 m spacing and in between rows staggered trenches of 3 m × 0.5 m × 0.5 m were dug. Observations recorded after 4.5 years of planting showed considerable improvement in soil properties , more so on the lower slope in respect of organic carbon , available nutrients (N , P and K) etc. Soil loss has also been reduced to a considerable extent. At site II Albizia procera and Albizia lebbek were planted and soil-water conservation measures were adopted in a similar way as at site I. This site also showed remarkable degree of improvement in soil properties at 4.5 years of age. Originally both sites were having highly eroded surface and the soil depth was as less as 15 to 20 cm underlain by hard rock and morrum. The soils were quite deficient in nutrients and were having low water building capacity. The growth of planted species was significantly higher than control.

Full Text

     

H. S. Ginwal , P. S. Rawat , A. S. Bhandari , C. Krishnan , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to standardize appropriate potting medium for raising Dalbergia sissoo seedlings under ischolar_main trainer seedling production system. In two different experiments , two kinds of potting media were tried , one with various combinations of sand , soil and compost and the other with charcoal , rice husk and compost. A multivariate approach was adopted considering the seedling quality parameters i.e. sturdiness , ischolar_main shoot ratio , ratio of fibrous/total ischolar_main biomass , Dickson quality index , and ischolar_main surface area , apart from the various growth and biomass traits of 3 month nursery growth. Dalbergia sissoo being a versatile and primary coloniser in riverine concession , came up very well in sand and compost combination (20% sand + 80% compost). However , it also performed well in other combinations of sand , soil and compost in the ratio of 1:1:3 ,1:0:4 and pure compost alone. In respect to the organic ingredients , combinations of charcoal , compost and rice husk in the ratio of 1:3:1 and 1:4:0 appeared satisfactory. Comparing the performance of both the types of potting media , it came to the notice that the sand , soil and compost combinations are fairly better for raising D. sissoo than the charcoal , rice husk and compost. The seedlings achieved significantly better growth , biomass and quality parameters when raised in sand , soil and compost than when raised in the potting mixture containing charcoal and rice husk. For the species like Dalbergia sissoo which is known to be a species of sandy alluvium soil , the ingredients like sand , soil and compost should be encouraged in the potting medium for raising in nursery.

Full Text

     

H. S. Ginwal , P. S. Rawat , Sandeep Sharma , A. S. Bhandari , C. Krishnan , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

Seedling quality is a key factor in the success of any tree plantation programme, which ultimately depends upon the ischolar_main system. Root trainers are increasingly being used to deal with the problem of ischolar_main coiling and distortion commonly encountered in polybag grown seedlings. Due to the lack of species specific results for Indian conditions and species, ischolar_main trainers are still at the initial stage of use in Indian nurseries. In the present investigation, a multivariate approach has been adopted to find out the right size/volume and type of ischolar_main trainer for raising Dalbergia sissoo seedlings in the nursery. Root trainers of various type and cell sizes like Hiko trays 90 cc, 150 cc, 300 cc, Book type 200 cc and single cell bullet type 290 cc were tried and the growth and biomass production of D. sissoo seedlings in 3 months time period was studied. The quality parameters of seedlings in various treatments were figured out. The seedlings raised under different size and type of ischolar_main trainers were also observed in the field for two consecutive years. Though the Hiko tray 300 cc cell volume scored maximum points in respect of seedling quality parameters upto the nursery stage, field performance of Hiko tray 150 cc volume was found the best. The Hiko tray 150 cc cell volume raised seedlings achieved maximum plant height and collar diameter after field planting although the performance of Hiko tray 300 cc and 150 cc cell volume was statistically at par in respect offield survival. The results have indicated that though the nursery stage growth performance has scored maximum points in respect of Hiko tray 300 cc cell volume due to greater space available for the ischolar_main system, the field performance of 150 cc volume is significantly better than the 300 cc one. Thus the Hiko tray 150 cc volume is the best size/volume and type of ischolar_main trainer for raising D. sissoo seedlings in nursery. The Hiko tray 300 cc volume comes out in the second category.

Full Text

     

H. S. Ginwal , P. S. Rawat , A. S. Bhandari , C. Krishnan , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

The containerized seedling production technology , especially the ischolar_main trainers , is dependent upon suitable growing media for raising quality seedlings in nurseries. Due to lack of species specific results for Indian conditions and species , the use of ischolar_main trainers is still in the initial stage. In the present investigation , experiments were carried out to findout the proper combination of sand , soil , compost and combinations of charcoal , rice husk and compost as a organic medium , to be used as growing media under ischolar_main trainers for raising A. nilotica seedlings. The growth , biomass production of Acacia nilotica seedlings in 3 months period was studied and the quality parameters of seedlings raised in various treatments (Potting mixture combinations) were figured out. In respect of sand , soil and compost , combination of sand and compost in the ratio of 1:4 (20% sand + 80% compost) produced the best results and scored maximum points in respect of quality parameters. Testing the organic ingredients , combination of charcoals and compost in the ratio of 1:4 (20% charcoal + 80% compost) was another good growing medium. Thus two potting mixtures with different ingredients were standardized. The results on use of pure compost as a potting medium were not very much appreciable. The compost is required to be supplemented with 20% charcoal or 20% sand for making it more effective in raising Acacia nilotica seedlings. Improper choice of potting mixture may result in poor quality seedling production in nurseries.

Full Text

     

Parvez Jalil , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

A peculiar phenomenon, after flowering has been observed in Dendrocalamus giganteus. After flowering in February, 2005, the clumps continued its growth through emergence of new clumps till 2008. The average seed weight per clump was 55.53±6.21 mg and average germination was 53 per cent. The fruit/seed setting was very poor.

Keywords

Flowering Behavior, Seed Characteristics, Dendrocalamus giganteus

Full Text

     

Ram Prakash , P. K. Shukla

Abstract

India has the largest share (44%) of teak plantations but the average recorded productivity of India's forest is 0.5 cum/ha/yr as compared to the world average of 2.5 cum/ha/yr while the potential productivity of Indian Forest is estimated as 11.5 cum/ha/yr. Significant developments have taken place in standardizing plantation techniques, perfecting harvesting and post harvest utilization methods and tree improvement. Plantation technology, silvicultural practices, disease and pest management, tree improvement, genetic improvements and protection etc. plays an important role in enhancing the forest productivity. Silvicultural practices like site selection, spacing, thinning methods, rotation age and harvesting have been refined, yet the productivity of plantations is low. Recent studies conducted on teak growing with irrigation, fertilizer application and management revealed the possibility of reducing the rotation to 25-30 years period with increase in productivity as against the dry teak plantations.

Keywords

Teak (Tectona grandis), Productivity Enhancement, Plantation Technology, Disease and Pest Management

Full Text

     

Mukul Anand ¹, S. Yadav ², S. Vaswani ², P. K. Shukla ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, U.P. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwa Vidhyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, MATHURA (U.P), IN
2 College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, U.P. Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwa Vidhyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, MATHURA (U.P), IN

Abstract

Semen cryopreservation a technique for long-term storage of sperm cell supplements Artificial Insemination (AI) to enhances its efficiency for widespread dissipation of superior germplasm. These two techniques together open up new opportunities for breed improvement in country.Semen cryopreservation needs extender essential for sperm survival and storage at extreme low temperature (-196°C). Being an important component of cryopreservative process, semen extenders have been continuously studied and revised from time to time for improved post thaw semen quality. Egg yolk is a very well known cryoprotectant that protects plasma membrane during cryopreservation. Various components of EY have been investigated to identify the most active component(s) responsible for its protective effect and role of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in egg yolkhas been widely acceptedas membrane stabilizers. Simultaneously, there have been increasing demands to replace whole egg yolk in semen extenders because of the presence of substances in yolk that inhibit respiration of spermatozoa or diminish their motility, acrosomalintrigity and fertilizing ability. Based on the knowledge that the cryoprotectant effect of egg yolk is derived from the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction, this component is now being extracted studied and added to the extender as an replacement of egg yolkand has shown promising results. So,taking into accountthe fact that LDL could be a better alternative for egg yolk as cryoprotectant in semen extenderfor better post thaw semen quality and improved conception rate in farm animals.

Keywords

Goats, Cryopreservation, Egg Yolk, Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), Semen.

Full Text

     

Gundappa . ¹, Balaji Rajkumar ², P. K. Shukla ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Rehmankhera, Lucknow - 226101, Uttar Pradesh, IN
2 ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Regional Station-Appangala, Madikeri - 571201, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Abundance of natural enemies in mango ecosystem was studied through survey and surveillance. In order to record the natural enemies associated with mango ecosystem surveys were conducted in mango orchards in and around Malihabad block of Lucknow for two years. During the study period ten species of coccinellids and two species of chrysopid predators were recorded. The activity of lady bird beetles was noticed in mango orchard during first week of March to last week of March (10 to 13^th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW) of 2016). Lady bird beetles, Coccinella septempunctata, C. transversalis, and Menochilus sexmaculata, were found in abundance and their population counts were taken. Peak populations of coccinellids were observed during 12^th SMW with 3.3 adult beetles/panicle. Six species of parasitoids were collected from the mango ecosystem, among them; the most abundant parasitoid was Brachymeria lasus, parasitizing mango leaf webber. It was evident that wherever indiscriminate use of insecticides was undertaken, natural enemy population was very low. In unprotected orchards abundant natural enemies were recorded. In order to achieve natural control of the pest it is advised that the orchardists adopt minimal spray may be taken up.

Keywords

Coccinellids, Mango, Natural Enemies.

Full Text