C. K. Atal , B. M. Sharma , A. K. Bhatt

Abstract

Strategic situativon of Jammu and Kashmir State alls for a knowledge of its wild flora which could be used as source of food under conditions of emergency. Areas in and around the border town of sunderbani have been surveyed for such plants and potentiality of latter in the above respect has been discussed. Descriative comments and illustrations have been furnished to facilitate the diagnosis of Pueraria tuberosa C.tuberulala Dioscoreas belophylla and D.bulbifera in field. C.tuberoulala is unsuitable on account of its unique shape P.tuberosa possesses much swollen tubers rarely also the ischolar_mains acquiring the appearance of headed strings of D.bulbifera and D.belophylla can be distinguished from each other by their specific direction of twining. From other twiners in the area they can be distinguished by the presence of bulbifera. Distribution of these four species has been recorded and their conventional modes of consumption examiend pueraria tubers can be consumed even without cooking whereas D.belophylla tubers and curalluma can be eaten after cooking in ordinary way. D.bulbifera needs Some preparation prior to consumption. Chemical analysis shows curalluma to be a rich source of Vitamin C, calcium and iron, Dioscoreas compare favourably with potato, sweet potato and tapioca in starch content,pueraria is a moderate source of calcium, iron and carbohydrates.

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R. Gupta , M. L. Sethi , C. K. Atal

Abstract

A survey of Jurinea macrocephala Benth. The commercial source of dhoop, was undertaken. Data about the morphology of the plant, collection, preparation of dhoop for the market as well as some statistical data of commercial value is presented. An anatomical study of dhoop samples from different areas and of different qualities was undertaken with a view to distinguishing the quality of these products. As a result of this survey morphological and anatomical differences between the poor and good quality dhoop have been discovered.

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M. L. Sethi , C. K. Atal , R. Gupta

Abstract

The rhizomes and ischolar_mains of Jurinea macrocephala Benth., on extraction with organic solvent, yield a caoutchouc like material. It was found that chloroform extract gives the highest percentage of crude caoutchouc which is sticky and resilient in nature. Thus determination of chloroform extractive offers a convenient method for evaluation of dhoop samples. In the present study dhoop samples from iS different geographical area., covering the whole commercial dhoop producing zone, were found to vary in their caoutchouc , contents. The samples of dhoop collected from Tundah, Bagh and Belaj dhars of Chamba valley and Baramulla range of Kashmir valley give the highest caoutchouc content. The assay value obtained by this method have been found to be in close agreement with the commercial grades of dhoop, that is, superior grades give higher caoutchouc content and inferior grades give a low content. Microchemical and chemical evidence is a1so presented for the presence of caoutchouc in the rhizomes.

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A. K. Dutt , C. L. Madan , C. K. Atal

Abstract

The authors succeeded in inducing ischolar_maining of simple-and air-layers in Eucalyptus, sieberana F.v. Muell. And of simple-layer in E. macarthurI Deane ex Maiden. The simple layers in E. rieberana took almost 7 months to ischolar_main, whereas, the air-layers ischolar_mained within 2-4 months of girdling. The simple-layer in E. macarthouri ischolar_mained in about 3 months time.

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