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R. Kaushal , K. S. Verma , K. N. Singh

Abstract

Decomposition rates and nutrient dynamics of Populus deltoides litter was investigated in three year old coppiced plantation situated in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh using the nylon net bags. Complete loss of Populus leaf litter was achieved in 20 months. The decomposition constant (k) was worked out to 1.27. Significant and a positive correlation was observed between decomposition and climatic parameters viz., rainfall and temperature (R² = 0.61), whereas temperature did not exhibit any significant influence on the decomposition rate. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) dynamics in decomposing litter revealed that concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium did not follow any specific trend during the decomposition process. Potassium and magnesium concentration, however, revealed a decreasing trend throughout the study period. Changes in absolute amount, on the other hand, followed a release pattern through the study period for N, K and Mg. P and Ca, however, depicted a three-phase pattern i.e. leaching, immobilization and release during the entire course of investigations.

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Reena Joshi , S. K. Tewari , R. Kaushal , L. Tewari

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of age (one and two year old) growing condition (intermittent misting and no misting) and seasons summer, monsoon, autumn and spring) on ischolar_maining behaviour of culm cuttings of Bambusa balcooa. The findings indicated that two year old culm cuttings in the intermittent misting condition gave best response.The findings also indicated that ischolar_maining and sprouting per cent of culm cuttings planted in different season showed response as Spring (March)>Summer (June) > Monsoon (August) > Autumn (October).

Keywords

Bambusa balcooa, Vegetative Propagation, Rooting Behaviour, Culm Cutting

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K. S. Dadhwal , J. M. S. Tomar , M. Muruganandam , R. Kaushal , O. P. Chaturvedi

Abstract

North-western Himalayan region of India is blessed with vast natural resources, yet confronted with poor quality of life. Agriculture in the region is very subsistence in nature mainly to meet the livelihood and food requirements of the households. The agriculture productivity in the region is very low due to a variety of reasons including rainfed farming and low input usage. In the region, farming systems on integrated watershed management basis can be promoted for diversification, improving livelihood, soil quality and food security. Besides, it can also be helpful in soil amelioration, stabilization of degraded lands and mitigation of the impacts of climate.

Keywords

Agroforestry Systems, Integrated Farming Systems, Northwestern Himalayas, Watershed Management

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M. S. Bhandari , R. Kaushal , S. K. Tewari , R. L. Banik

Abstract

Fourteen species of bamboo were evaluated for nutritional and fodder quality parameters through metroglyph analysis. On the basis of morphological and qualitative variation in bamboo species scatter diagram was prepared. An examination of the scatter diagram revealed that six groups could be distinguished on the basis of morphological variation. All the species were divided into six groups. Maximum number of species was comprised in group-II (5 species) followed by group-V (4 species) and group-IV (2). From metroglyph and index score analysis, long range of index score was from 16 to 22 observed which itself indicated the large amount of variation in the bamboo species studied.

Keywords

Metroglyph analysis,index score, Genetic diversity, Biomass

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R. Kaushal ¹, Salil Tewari ¹, R. L. Banik ¹, Sumit Chaturvedi ¹, O. P. Chaturvedi ¹

Affiliations
1 G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand)

Abstract

No Abstract

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M. S. Bhandari ¹, R. Kaushal ², R. L. Banik ³, S. K. Tewari ³

Affiliations
1 Division of Genetics and Tree Propagation, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), IN
2 Division of Plant Science, Central Soil and Water Conservation and Research and Training Institute, Dehradun-248 195, IN
3 Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, IN

Abstract

Bamboos are fastest growing plants extensively used for variety of purposes; among them are stock fodder, erosion control and shelter. As a fodder species, bamboos are not potentially investigated and research lacks the qualitative approach of nutritive value found in different species of bamboo. Therefore, work on fodder quality was carried out with fourteen species of bamboo and evaluated for genetic divergence, nutritional and forage quality parameters. Based on divergence analysis of pooled data, the 14 species of bamboo were grouped into four clusters. Cluster I had maximum number of species (7), Cluster III had four species whereas Cluster II and Cluster IV had maximum of (2) and (1) species respectively. Maximum intra-cluster distance was in Cluster II and maximum inter-cluster distance was between cluster II and IV. Correlation analysis revealed that leaf:stem ratio, biomass, crude protein content, dry matter digestibility had major contribution in determining the nutritive potential of green and dry forage yield. Bamboos biomass and nutrient distribution has enormous potential to become a quality fodder for livestock animals. Therefore, bamboo may be planted in a marginal land which makes the soil fertile and produced evergreen biomass round the year.

Keywords

Genetic Evaluation, Fodder Quality, Bamboo.

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R. P. Yadav ¹, O. P. S. Bana ², R. Kaushal ³, P. R. Rajput ²

Affiliations
1 Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora-263 601, Uttarakhand, IN
2 G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, IN
3 Central Soil and Water Conservation Research & Training Institute, Dehradun-248 195, Uttarakhand, IN

Abstract

A field study was carried out to assess the effect of pruning at different height i.e. at 50, 100 and 150 cm in jatropha (Jatropha curcas Linn.) with control ( no Pruning) and fertility levels 50%, 100% and 150 per cent of recommended dose of NPK in wheat on crop growth parameters and yield in agrisilviculture system. The pruning in jatropha favoured growth parameters with varying magnitudes. The growth indices like CGR, RGR, NAR, LAR, LAI, RLGR and SLW were observed to be higher under various pruning heights than under no pruning. Magnitude of reduction varied with pruning heights and fertility levels. The relative crop growth rate in terms of NAR and LAR has been higher under pruned compared to unpruned jatropha. Grain, straw and biological yield reduced by 16.56, 12.56 and 13.85 %, respectively under jatropha in comparison to sole crop which indicate that pruning is essential for improving wheat yield under jatropha based agrisilviculture system.

Keywords

Agrisilviculture, Fertility Levels, Growth Indices, Jatropha curcas, Pruning.

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M. S. Bhandari ¹, R. Kaushal ², R. L. Banik ³, S. K. Tewari ³

Affiliations
1 Division of Genetics & Tree Propagation, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (Uttarakhand), IN
2 Division of Plant Science, Central Soil and Water Conservation and Research and Training Institute, Dehradun-248 195, IN
3 Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, IN

Abstract

Bamboos serve as multipurpose forest grass species. The success of bamboo as a commercially important forage species depends on the identification of genetically divergent materials of the plant and developing superior planting stock for the farmers. The phylogeny plays a crucial role in the evolution of species and superior germplasm. Twentytwo species of bamboo were evaluated for genetic diversity characterization through SDS-PAGE analysis. Based on electrophoretic pattern, banding pattern was established for 22 species. Also, on genetic diversity analysis, 22 species of bamboo were grouped into four clusters. Cluster IIBb had maximum number of species (9), cluster IIBa and cluster IIAb had four species each, whereas, Cluster IIAa and cluster IA had maximum of two and three species respectively. UPGMA (Unweighed Paired Group Mean Cluster Analysis) inferred that among Bambusa genera; species B. bambusa, B. multiplex, B. vulgaris, B. balcooa, B. tulda, B. nutans, B. polymorpha, B. nutans and B. pallida and among Dendrocalamus species D. hamiltonii, D. giganteus, D. membraneceous and D. longispathus were genetically similar having Jaccard's similarity coefficient ranged from 0.80-1.00.

Keywords

Bamboo, Genetic Diversity, Electrophoretic Pattern, Upgma and Jaccard's Similarity Coefficient.

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S. Patra ¹, D. Mandal ¹, P. K. Mishra ¹, P. R. Ojasvi ¹, G. Kumar ¹, R. Kaushal ¹, N. M. Alam ¹, P. K. Mishra ², J. P. Patra ²

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun 248 195, IN
2 National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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Suveena Thakur ¹, D. R. Bhardwaj ², R. Kaushal ³

Affiliations
1 Himachal Pradesh State Forest Department, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, IN
2 Department of Silviculture and Agro Forestry Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, IN
3 Central Soil and water conservation institute, Dehra Dun, UK, IN

Abstract

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Munro was evaluated for the effect of month of planting, spacing and phosphorus application on survival, growth, rhizome-genesis, biomass partitioning and P-uptake in macro-proliferated stock. April planted propagules significantly excelled over July ones for all of these traits. Two to three times more dry biomass of stem, ischolar_mains, rhizome and underground biomass per sapling (g) production was recorded in April planted propagules as compared to propagules planted in July. P-uptake was also higher in April planted propagules than July ones. Spacing of 30 cm × 30 cm resulted in maximum growth, development, biomass production and biomass partitioning and Puptake than 30 cm × 15 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm spacing. Phosphorus application @ 5 g SSP per propagule resulted in maximum growth, development, rhizome-genesis, dry weight of stem and underground biomass. Higher dose i.e. 10 and 15 g SSP per propagule showed slight depressing effect.

Keywords

Biomass Production, Development–Growth, P-Uptake, Rhizome, Genesis.

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R. Kaushal ¹, Tarun Kumar ¹, Avnindra Singh ¹, J. M. S. Tomar ¹, H. Mehta ¹, Manoj Chandran ², S. T. S. Lepcha ³, J. Durai ⁴

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun 248 195, IN
2 Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Development Board, Dehradun 248 001, IN
3 National Bamboo Mission, New Delhi 110 001, IN
4 International Network on Bamboo and Rattan, Beijing, 100102, CN

Abstract

The present study evaluates the growth performance and resource conservation attributes of Dendrocalamus stocksii introduced in the Himalayan foothills, India in 2012. The growth and biomass production after seven years were comparable with the growth performance of species in its native region in the Western Ghats. Maximum culm weight of 7.9 kg was recorded in the fifth year. The litterfall reached 8.70 Mg ha–1 in 2019. The basal portion up to 2.25 m was entirely solid after the fifth year of harvesting, which offers a good market potential and a substitute to Dendrocalamus strictus. Studies revealed that about one-third of the ischolar_main number and ischolar_main biomass was observed in 0–10 cm soil layer, whereas about 74% of total ischolar_main number and about 79% of total ischolar_main biomass was recorded in the 0–30 cm soil layer. The dense shallow ischolar_main system can help prevent soil erosion and make the species suitable for the sites having indurate pan at varying depths. Soil hydraulic conductivity and aggregate stability showed marked improvement after six years. Overall, the species can be recommended for large-scale cultivation in the Himalayan foothills

Keywords

Bamboo, biomass, culm, hydraulic conductivity, ischolar_maining intensity.

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