A. Vasishth , P. Kaushal , A. N. Kaushal , Bhupender Dutt

Abstract

Containerized/Polybag raised seedlings were ischolar_main pruned at 0, 5 and 10 cm length from collar regions before planting and given split nitrogen doses of 0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha. These conditioned seedlings were studied for morphological, physiological, nutritional status and survival per cent. Root pruning significantly reduced seedling growth and biomass production in monsoon as well as winter planting. Severely pruned (5 cm from collar region) seedlings showed lesser growth and biomass production than light pruned ones (10 cm from collar region) in both planting season. Application of nitrogen up to 80 kg N/ha increased plant growth biomass. Root pruning coupled with nitrogen application improved the morphological attributes and was observed more in light pruned seedlings than severely pruned ones when 80 kg N/ha was applied. Root pruning decreased xylem water potential and ischolar_main regeneration. Total soluble sugars, starch and carbohydrate content of the transplants increased with increase in severity of ischolar_main pruning in monsoon planting season, whereas, in winter planting, these reserves increased with increase in ischolar_main pruning length. Nutrient content and uptake were affected with ischolar_main pruning length. Nitrogen application increased NPK content and their uptake in the seedlings. Application of 80 kg N/ha in 10 cm pruned seedlings increased the NPK content and their uptake in the seedlings. Survival per cent increased with nitrogen application upto 80 kg/ha and decreased with increase in ischolar_main pruning severity. Light pruning (5 cm from collar region) with medium application of nitrogen improved the survival percent. In comparison to monsoon, winter transplanting had lower survival per cent in all the treatments.

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R. C. Sharma , A. N. Kaushal , S. C. Panwar

Abstract

Drying of 'desi' katha at six different temperatures, nine relative humidity levels and in Bry-air dehumidifier was studied. Drying was rapid at 30°C but katha characteristics were maintained well when drying was executed at 5 or l0°C. The duration of drying period was longer at 5°C as compared to drying to 30°C. Drying at 40 percent relative humidity took 50 days as compared to 125 days at 80 percent relative humidity to achieve the desired moisture content. In Bry-Air dehumidifier, it took only 7 days to achieve the desired moisture content in desi katha as compared to 45 days under traditional factory conditions.

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S. C. Panwar , A. N. Kaushal , R. C. Sharma

Abstract

Physico-chemical characters and fungal spoilage of machiney and desi Katha dried at six different temperatures and nine relative humidity levels were studied. Catechin content was maximum and tannins were least when Katha batties were dried at 5 or 10°C. Discolouration of batties and mould incidence (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium funiculosum) was also least when drying was carried at 5°C followed by 10°C. Maximum catechin was in Katha dried at 40 and 45 per cent relative humidity. As the relative humidity during Katha drying was increased above 50 per cent, there was corresponding increase in tannins. Discolouration and catechin/tannin ratio was also least when Katha was dried at 40 or 45 per cent relative humidity. Drying at higher relative humidity (above 55%) favours invasion by A. niger and P. funiculosum moulds.

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M. K. Brahmi , A. N. Kaushal , K. R. Sharma

Abstract

In the present study it was found that resin yield increased with the increase in diameter class D4 (20-22.5cm) to Dl (27.5-30cm) and the group of blaze width from Bl (8, 10, 12 and 14cm) to B4 (14, 16, 18 and 20cm). The resin yield also increase as blaze width increased within blaze group itself. The tree in diameter class D4 (20-22.5cm) yielded resin less than 2.0 kg per season so it is not feasible to commercially tap the trees of this diameter class. The trees of other three diameter classes viz. D3 (22.5-25cm), D2 (25-27.5cm) and Dl (27.5-30cm) are feasible for commercial resin tapping because they yielded more than 2.0 kg of resin per season. The maximum resin yield was obtained in the month of May (hottest) and the lowest in the month of October (coldest). The eight month tapping period showed the average resin yield of 2.30 kg per tree per season.

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Amol Vasishth , A. N. Kaushal , Vipan Guleria , S. B. S. Pandey

Abstract

Acacia catechu Willd is valuable tree found in sub Himalayan tract to the Indus, eastward to Assam and throughout the peninsular in the drier regions ascending up to 900 m and sometimes found at 1200m amsl. Heart wood of Acacia catechu (khair) is used for extraction of katha and cutch. To evaluate the losses during storage and how losses can be minimized, khair wood were kept in three different storage conditions viz. shade, shade with end bee wax coating and some blocks of wood were kept in open. To see the effect of heartwood thickness on the yield of katha, the heart wood was converted into small chips having four thicknesses. The maximum yield of Katha was obtained from blocks coated with end bee wax and minimum in blocks kept in the open, as moisture content in the heartwood facilitates the extraction. Maximum katha yield was obtained in first month of storage and minimum in fifth month of storage. Katha yield also decreased with increase in chips thickness. The time of extraction is also reduced in case of lesser thickness due to quicker imbibitions of water. However, yield of cutch percentage is not affected by moisture content in the wood. Maximum cutch yield was obtained in wood blocks, kept in shade followed by blocks end coated with bee wax and minimum in open stored wood.

Keywords

Acacia catechu, Heartwood, Katha and Cutch Yield

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V. K. Koul , S. D. Bharadwaj , A. N. Kaushal

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the combined influence of different levels of applied Nand P on biomass production, nutrient content and their uptake in Bauhinia variegata Linn. Seedlings during nursery stage. Seedlings were grown in polybags for 160 days in 12 nutrient combinations comprising all possible combinations of 4 levels of N ( 0, 30, 60, 90 kg ha^-1) and three levels of phosphorus (0, 40 and 80 kg ha^-1). The N application significantly increased biomass in all parts of the plant and it was maximum at 60 kg N ha^-1. The application of phosphorus showed significant effect on leaf and total biomass. The application of 60 kg N ha^-1 and 40 kg P ha^-1 resulted in the maximum amount of nutrient uptake and biomass yield.

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Mohd Saleem , S. Dev Bhardwaj , A. N. Kaushal

Abstract

The paper presents a study on the effect of seed weight, nitrogen source and split application on the growth of Celtis australis Linn. The results indicate that low seed weight gave the better germination where as the seedlings raised from heavy seed weight were healthy and having better growth. Calcium ammonium nitrate was found better source of nitrogen for raising Celtis australis seedlings when it was applied in two equal splits ½ at sowing and ½ at 60 days of sowing.

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P. C. Katoch , S. D. Bhardwaj , A. N. Kaushal

Abstract

Nine collections of Ocimum basilicum were evaluated for herbage yield and total essential content for two years. The average herbage yield per plant varied from 2.21 kg to 0.73 kg and the range of variation for essential oil content was found to be from 0.12 to 0.22 per cent on green herb basis. Both genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were higher for herbage yield as compared to essential oil content. Hertability in broad sense was found to be comparatively higher for essential oil content. Some progress through selection for herbage yield and essential oil content is anticipated.

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P. C. Katoch , S. D. Bhardwaj , A. N. Kaushal

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of N, P and K on herbage yield and digoxin content of Digitalis lanata Ehrh. In a split plot design with three replications at the experimental area of the Department of Forestry during, 1975-76. Two pluckings of the leaves were taken first during November, 1975 and scond during April, 1976. There were no significant differences in herbage (leaves) yield due to different levels of nitrogen and combinations of phosphorus and potash. Though the application of different leves of nitrogen upto 150 kg per ha has increased the herbage yield but, there after, no increase in yield was observed. Regarding the effect of different combinations of phosphorus and potash, it was observed that only the application of 50kg of P per ha has some response on the yield of leaves. Little response due to the application of different levels of K was observed, which was explained due to the availability of high potash in the soil of the experimental area. Some guidelines for application of fertilizers in this crop have been given.

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