R. S. Bhandari , J.K. Rawat

Abstract

Sal heartwood borer, Hoplocerambyx spinicornis, is one of the serious insect problem in Sal forest. Outbreak this insect occur periodically in various parts of the country and may kill thousand of trees. In the present study, a short account of the life-history of Sal heartwood borer, its detection, causes of outbreak, nature of damage and past history of outbreak, nature of damage and categorisation of attacked trees is given. Practical methods for its management both preventive and remedial are discussed, including trap tree operation and removal of attacked trees.

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Omkar Singh , D.C. Sharma , J.K. Rawat

Abstract

Annual leaf litter fall was estimated in natural Sal, plantations of Teak, Eucalyptus and Poplar as 6.86, 7.70, 6.51 and 5.29 oven dry t/ha respectively. The rate of decomposition per year in the four stands was highest in Sal (2.01), followed by Teak (1.26), Poplar (1.05) and least in Eucalyptus (0.69). These rates were found slightly higher than those worked out on the basis of forest floor accumulations. Time required to reach various levels of steady state accumulation or that of decay has also been calculated for the species. The mineralisation of various nutrients in the four stands has also been discussed.

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