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San Deep Sharma , Surinder Kumar , K. S. Thakur , P. S. Negi

Abstract

Gooseberry (Ribes orientale Desf.) is an important shrub of higher Himalayan regions and could be a potential species for cold desert areas. A study was conducted to determine the pre-sowing treatment in seeds of this species to overcome dormancy. The ripened berries were collected from Sangla valley in Himachal Pradesh and were immediately depulped and, airdried. Seeds were sown in petridishes in seed germinator after giving various pre-sowing treatments. It was found that the treatment of conc. H₂SO₄ for 1 minute followed by washing and 24 hours soak in cold water excelled others in germination per cent (58%) and germination energy per cent (51 %). This suggests the existence of seed coat dormancy in the seeds of Ribes orientale. Further the increase of germination per cent in best treatment over control was only 24.5% which suggested that the other factors were also responsible for setting dormancy in the species besides hard seed coat which need deeper investigation.

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Sandeep Sharma , P. S. Negi , K. S. Thakur , Surinder Kumar

Abstract

Colutea nepalensis is an important shrub of cold desert areas. A study was conducted to examine vegetative propagation of this species through shoot cuttings. The cuttings were collected from Pooh area of Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh during spring and autumn seasons and treated with IBA and IBA in combination with thiamine for induction and growth of adventitious ischolar_mains under intermittent mist in sterilized sand. Assessments on ischolar_maining, sprouting, ischolar_main number, ischolar_main length, shoot number and shoot length on the cuttings were conducted after 120-days of treatments. Of these, IBA treatments significantly promoted adventitious ischolar_maining in shoot cuttings collected during spring but in combination with thiamine failed to produce any synergetic effects on induction and growth of adventitious ischolar_mains. The highest ischolar_maining in that season (96.67%) was obtained from cuttings treated with 0.2% IBA + 0.05% Captan + 0.1% Sucrose. However, treatment of 0.1% IBA + 0.05% Captan+O.l% Sucrose is recommended as most economical treatment for mass propagation of Colutea nepalensis in mist chamber during spring season.

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P. S. Negi

Abstract

Woody plant diversity of Doon Valley in outer Himalaya is represented by 674 taxa, 92 families and 368 genera. Total taxa include 591 trees, 35 shrubs, 12 climbers, 15 palms and 21 bamboos. Out of these, Gymnosperms are represented by 42 species and dicots by 596. Percentage-wise, Dicotyledons hold 88.42 share and Monocotyledons contribute 5.34. Gymnosperms are only 6.24 per cent of entire floristic composition. Interestingly Doon Valley perpetuates suitable climatic condition for luxuriant growth of both tropical species (Tectona grandis, Shorea spp., Phoenix spp. Etc.) and temperate species (Pinus spp.). The cosmopolitan structure of flora is created by introduction or invasion of 31.15 % exotics. Significant contribution to local flora is recorded by addition of 258 species to existing literature. Present study also contributes addition of 11 species to the existing list of Forest Research Institute Arboretum plants. Conservation potential and prospects of the flora have been appraised by identification and listing of 18 species which are declared as threatened in International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resource (IUCN) Red List for the year 2003. Progenitors of 17 cultivated and economic plants have been listed for conservation of genetic resource. During field investigation 13 species have been identified threatened due to habitat loss while 7 species were found threatened due to massive exploitation.

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Ranjit Singh , P. S. Negi , M. C. Arya , Z. Ahmed

Abstract

The study standardized the propagation techniques of Crataegus crenulata through seeds and cuttings. Mature pencil thick cuttings were collected and treated with different hormone concentrations (100, 150, 200, 250, 300 nd 350 ppm) of hormones i.e. IBA (Indole -3-butyric acid), IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid) and NAA (Napthelene-6- acetic acid). Sprouting and ischolar_maining capacity of the cuttings were assessed under open environmental conditions. Data revealed that IBA 250 ppm significantly enhanced sprouting, ischolar_maining and ischolar_main length as compared to other plant growth regulators and control. The IBA (250 ppm) treated cuttings were found to be best for maximum plant length (189.32cm) and number of branches (6.45) after six months of transplantation in the field. Overnight (12 hr) dipping the cuttings in running water was observed helpful in removing phenolic components. Dipping of seeds in lukewarm water overnight (12 hrs) significantly improved in germination per centage (85-90 %) as compared to control (65-70%). Comparative study indicate that cutting raised seedlings were having edge over seed raised seedlings in terms of plant height and number of branches and being a faster method of multiplication also.

Keywords

Crataegus crenulata, IAA, IBA, NAA, Ghingaroo

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P. S. Negi , Sandeep Sharma

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P. S. Negi

Abstract

The economic forest resources of the Garhwal-Kumaun Himalaya (Uttrakhand) has been explored in the present paper with special reference to medicinal and other economic plants which may be used to boost the economy of the region and in providing local employment. Since the principal climatic factors are influencing mountain vegetation, therefore, the paper also throws light upon those factors whose study would be useful in reflecting more clear and distinctive idea about the areas of the study.

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P. S. Negi

Abstract

No abstract

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P. S. Negi ¹, Sandeep Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171 009 (H.P.), IN

Abstract

An experimental trial was conducted to study the effect of time of fruit collection on the germination of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides seeds-an important lesser known tree species of cold desert area. The seeds of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides were collected on 15 days interval (Fortnightly basis) starting from 1st September, 2007 to 15^th December, 2007 and were subjected to germination testing without any pre-sowing treatments. Significant differences were observed in germination percentage, moisture content of samaras and seeds of Fraxinus xanthoxyloides seeds collected during different collection period. Seed collected during second fortnight of October recorded maximum 26.67 per cent germination followed by 24.00 per cent in seeds collected during first fortnight of November and 23.33 per cent germination in seeds collected during first fortnight of October. Seeds collected during first fortnight of December recorded minimum 6.67 per cent germination. Optimum time of seed collection in Fraxinus xanthoxyloides is found to be between first fortnight of October and first fortnight of November.

Keywords

Fraxinus xanthoxyloides, Germination Per Cent, Moisture Content, Samaras.

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P. S. Negi ¹, K. S. Kapoor ¹

Affiliations
1 Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171 009 (H. P.), IN

Abstract

Asian gooseberry (Ribes alpestre) is an important wild edible shrub of dry temperate and cold desert region of Western Himalaya. An experimental trial was conducted to study the effect of different pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of R. alpestre under laboratory condition. The ripened berries were collected from the naturally growing shrubs and seeds were extracted from the berries, dried and sown in petridishes in seed germinator after giving presowing treatments. It was found that seeds treated with conc. H₂SO₄ for 2 minutes (T₆) recorded maximum 69.33 percent germination followed by 64.66 percent germination in seed treated with conc. H₂SO₄ for 1 minute (T₅) where as untreated seeds (control) recorded minimum 39.00 per cent germination. Therefore, it is recommended that the seed of R. alpestre should be treated with conc. H₂SO₄ for 2 minutes followed by 24 hours soak in cold water before sowing in the nursery for breaking seed dormancy and getting maximum germination.

Keywords

Seed, Ribes alpestre, Germination Behaviour, Presowing Treatment.

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Kamlesh Patel ¹, P. S. Negi ¹, P. Banerjee ¹

Affiliations
1 Frequency and Electrical Standards Division, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, IN

Abstract

This paper reports the salient design features of a precision waveguide, standard mismatches of VSWRs 1.10, 1.20 and 1.30 and standards of different guide wavelengths been developed at Ka-band frequencies (26.5-40 GHz) and standard waveguide section at Q-band range (33-50 GHz). The performances of precision waveguide, standard mismatches are observed based on their physical dimensions and compared with measured values using Slotted-line technique for Ka-band. The mismatch set is calibrated with expanded uncertainties within ±0.03 for the measured VSWR and their traceability is established through the precision waveguide. These standards are developed as transfer standards of impedance at Ka-band frequency range to assign the accuracy of impedance measuring instruments.

Keywords

Impedance Standard, Measurement Uncertainty, Slotted Line Technique, Traceability.

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