Ashok Kumar , K. Gurumurti

Abstract

Casuarinas, the non-leguminous plants of tropics, with their rapid growth and nitrogen-fixing ability are the most suited for planting on nitrogen-deficit soils. Knowledge of host-Frankia association needs to be improved to increase the productivity of the Casuarinas. The research efforts should be geared towards increasing the nitrogen-fixation potential of plants and actual nitrogen fixation in field. To achieve this, superior biotypes need to be selected and tested at various locations with references to high ANF capacities. The selected biotypes can be propagated through conventional and non-conventional methods. Yield of superior biotypes can further be improved by the introduction of effective Frankia strains which have tolerance to drought and salt.

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S. Nautiyal , Uma Singh , K. Gurumurti

Abstract

The ischolar_maining response of branch cuttings of Tectona grandis (Teak) did not show significant difference of the effect of cutting position on the crown in the cuttings taken from cutting and seedling raised trees. Only hormonal treatment showed significant effects in the above case, however, cuttings taken from adult tree gave good response in both the cases (position of the cutting on the crown as well as hormonal treatment). Both IAA (Indole 3-acetic acid) and IBA (Indole 3-butlric acid) treatments promoted good ischolar_maining response in all cases. The finding clearly indicate the IDA promotes morc ischolar_maining in terms of ischolar_main number while NAA (Naphthalene aeetic acid) promotes more ischolar_main length.

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S. Nautiyal , Uma Singh , K. Gurumurti

Abstract

The experiments on ischolar_maining response of branch cuttings of teak, collected from seedlingraised, cutting-raised young and mature trees was conducted in the yur 1986-87. The effect of season and growtb bormones was examined for these three types of cuttings. Seasonal effect was found most important factor in response of callus formation and ischolar_main Initiation. In all cases, maximum ischolar_maining response was observed in May planted cuttings While no ischolar_maining was initiated during winter months. Hormone treatments were found to induce both callus and ischolar_main formation considerably in comparison to untreated cuttings. The best ischolar_maining was seen in IDA 100 treated
cuttings while this auxin in higher concentration (200 ppm) initiated maximum callus formation. Overall ischolar_maining response waS maximum in the cuttings obtained from the seedling-raised trees and cutting raised young trees, and the minimum in the cuttings taken from old trees.

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K. Gurumurti , H. C. S. Bhandari , D. S. Negi

Abstract

Branch and leafy cuttings made from mature trees of Eucalyptus completely failed to ischolar_main whereas the coppice shoot cuttings made from 30 month old trees responded to ischolar_maining to the extent of 65 per cent. Probable reasons for inability of mature tissue to ischolar_main is discussed. A technique to ischolar_main nodal cuttings prepared from coppice sprouts is presented.

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S. C. Sharma , K. Gurumurti

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A simple device to control misting inside the mist chamber has been fabricated. This device consists of a control unit which activates or inactivates the water pump through a sensing device placed inside the mist chamber. This device is highly useful to maintain saturated vapour pressure inside the mist chamber, at the same time prevents both overwatering and underwatering of experimental plants. The cost of fabrication of this device, including control unit is only Rs. 250. The device can also be used for controlled nursery irrigation and lawn irrigation.

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K. Gurumurti , M. M. Kimothi , D. P. Raturi , J. S. Rawat

Abstract

Studies on growth, assimilation rate, biomass production, solar energy conversion efficiency and seasonal energy conversion efficiency by Eucalypts under energy plantation practices (short spacing, 13m × 13m) have been carried out at six monthly intervals for a period of 36 months under semi-arid non-irrigated conditions in Gujarat. The results show that there exists considerable variation among the population of the trees which increase with increasing age. The total biomass ranged from 5 dt/ha at 12 months to 66 5 dt/ha at 36 months,the utilizable biomass (wood, bark, branch) ranging from 2.25 dt/ha to 43 5 dt/ha for the same periods. There existed a direct correlation between, the leaf biomass and total biomass by different categories of trees. The results on various growth parameters, viz,net assimilation rate, relative growth fate and crop growth fate is also presented. The relationship between D²H and total as well as utilizable dry malter production by trees has been worked out and presented. The solar energy conversion efficiency as found to be maximal at 36 months of the age being 126. The seasonal energy conversion efficiency showed two peaks, one 18-24 ond another 30-36 month., the values being 1.77 and 3.16 per cent of PAR coinciding with lhe period of moisture availability. The high biomass production by trees under energy plantation practices as related to the CO₂ profile and energy conversion efficiency is briefly discussed.

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K. Gurumurti , V. K. Srivastava

Abstract

Investigations on growth analysis in Pinus elliottii, which has high rate of productions revealed that there is a close correlation between total biomass, leaf area as well as leaf efficiency. The results suggest that during early stages canopy growth is vertical and subsequently horizontal. The leaf efficiency though increases with age, the rate of increase declines with age. Net assimilation rate shows a fluctuating trend and the mean NAR is much higher when compared to other conifers which explains the higher turnover of dry matter in this species.

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R. S. Mathur , M. M. Kimothi , K. Gurumurti

Abstract

During the last ten years there is increasing awareness about the role of forest biomass to alleviate the fuelwood crisis particularly in developing countries in view of their predominant dependence on traditional fuels. Among the various non-conventional energy sources namely photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, microhydal, oceanthermal and biomass, biomass has an edge over others from the point of production, availability and conversion. Biomass has the verstality to be converted into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels which further can be transformed into four principle usable energy forms namely, steam, mechanical power, electricity and heat. It is shown that on global basis there is abundant availability of wood, however, on regional basis there is shortage, particularly in developing countries. In India the fuelwood shortage is of the order of 170 million cubic meters, threatening to become more than an energy issue. In this context the need for implementing the energy plantation concept for improving the per hectare yield is stressed. The advantages as well as disadvantages of implementing energy plantation practices is presented. It is shown that advantages far out-weigh the disadvantages. Evidences are amassed to show that fuels from biomass can be profitably produced in all parts of the world. This review details the conventional investigations on forest biomass and analyses the growth and yield under energy plantation practices in addition to discussing the energy conversion efficiency of the forest plants with emphasis on energy plantation practices. The need for extensive understanding of nutrient distribution and cycling in the context of biomass production systems is also presented. It is concluded that there exists considerable scope to bridge the gap between potential productivity and actual productivity using energy plantation practices even in thickly populated tropics The role of energy plantations to mitigate the fuelwood crisis is presented with particular reference to Indian conditions. This review has 131 references and 6 Tables.

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K. Gurumurti , D. P. Raturi , H. C. S. Bhandari

Abstract

Studies on time trends of biomass production by means of age series in energy plantations (spacing 1.3 × 1.3 m) of Prosopis juliflora is presented. The component wise biomass production at the age of 18, 24, 30, 36 and 48 months was determined. The results show considerable variation among the population of trees. However, distinct linear relationship between girth at breast heighht (GBH) and total height was discernible. The total biomass produced at 18, 24,30,36 and 48 months of age was 19.69, 41.39, 69.11, 114.62 and 148.63 dry tonnes per hectare, respectively, the corresponding figures for utilizable biomass wood, bark and branch) were 14.63, 32.17, 50.59, 88.87 and 113.25 dry tonnes per hectare. At all the periods of study, branch component formed the major portion of total biomass being around 50 to 55 per cent utilizable biomass was three fourth of total biomass at all ages. The solar energy conversion efficiency ranged from 0.59 per cent at 18 months to 1.68 per cent at 48 months of age the peak value being 1.87 per cent at the age of 36 months. It is shown that the variable diameter and height can be used to reliably predict the biomass production in Prosopis juliflora with the help of the regression equations developed in the present study. It is cuncluded that Prosopis juliflora is an ideal candidate for energy plantations in semi arid and marginal lands, not only to meet the fuelwuod demands but also to improve the soil fertility, for, this plant is fast growing and nitrogen fixing leguminous tree.

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O. N. Kaul , R. P. Singh , V. K. Srivastava , K. Gurumurti

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The distribution of organic matter in various tree components for 10, 20, 30 and 40 years old plantations of Pinus elliottii has been discussed. The total biomass ranges from about 169 tonnes (10 years) to 529 tonnes (40 years) per ha with 81 to 85 per cent being contributed by the above-ground parts and 19 to 15 per cent by the ischolar_mains.

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R. N. Kaul , K. Gurumurti

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Paper reviews the pattern of energy use in rural India and points out that by 1990 fuelwood production will fall short of the requirements by 100 million m³. The importance of biomass in mitigating the energy crisis is outlined. The fuelwood concepts viz.,decentralized fuelwood system-social forestry and commercial fuelwood farming system and their feasibility in meeting the energy requirements have been discussed in detail. Research and developmental efforts in augmenting and utilisation of biomass resource at the national level have been elaborated.

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K. Gurumurti

Abstract

Plants are the largest global solar energy converters despite their efficiency being a mere 0.1 to 0.2 percent. Based on theoretical considerations plants can attain an efficiency of 6.6 percent. However, even under intensive agriculture using highly productive crops like sugar cane 3% efficiency is rarely exceeded. In case of forest plants it is rarely above O.5 percent. There is considerable scope to improve the efficiency to 1% which amounts to doubling of produtivity of forests. Methods to improve the energy fixation efficiency of forest crops using multistoreyed plantations, planting fast growing species with close spacing and short rotations. and carbondioxide enrichment and discussed. A workout for power generation, using wood fuel perpetually, for villages on decentralised basis is also presented.

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