R. L. Srivastava , Ashok Kumar , S. K. Sharma , C. J. S. K. Emmanuel , U. K. Tomar

Abstract

Keeping in view the low productivity of forestry plantations in Rajasthan and Gujarat, an effort has been initiated to enhance the productivity of bamboo plantations using improved planting material raised either through clonal methods or through tissue culture. These trials have been established at Chakhalia, Jhalod (Gujarat); Kushalgarh (Rajasthan). In total 50 ha area has been covered under these specialty plantations, the bamboo species considered for planting are Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa bambos. In these performance trials some experimentation were also laid out to see the effect of soil amelioration using organic and inorganic manures and effect of spacing on the growth and productivity of the bamboo plantations. The spacing used are 5m × 5m and 6m × 6m. The initial establishment's results are quite encouraging in both the states. In Gujarat survival percentage ranges from 97.2 % to 100.0% for both the species whereas in Rajasthan sites it was 67.6% to 96.8% (Kushalgarh). The differences observed in the survival percentage may be due to altitudinal variations as the altitude of Gujarat site is 259 m amsl whereas it was 457.20 m amsl for Rajasthan sites. The overall growth performance of both the species is quite satisfactory. Initial inferences can be drawn from these trials is that bamboos can be introduced in both the states in Agroforestry systems.

Keywords

Bamboo Plantations, Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa bambos, Productivity, Tissue Culture, Rajasthan, Gujara

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Mohit Gera , H. S. Ginwal , R. L. Srivastava

Abstract

A field screening trial of seventeen different multi-purpose tree species was conducted with the objective to identify best adaptable species with desirable characters that could be used in various afforestation, Agroforestry and Social Forestry programmes for semi-arid regions of Central India. The species evaluated were Azadirachta indica, Bauhinia variegata, Eucalyptus F.R.I.-4, Albizia procera, emblica officinalis, Pongamia pinnata, Gmelina arborea, Dalbergia sissoo, Dendrocalamus strictus, Albizia lebbek, Eucalyptus F.R.I.-5, Acacia benthami, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia auriculiformis, Tectono grandis, and Acacia catechu, Results suggested that Gmelina arborea, Azadirachta indica and Leucaena leucocephala were among the fastest growing species with maximum MAI (Mean Annual Increment) making them promising candidate, for Agro and Social Forestry plantations. Acacia catechu, Albizia procera, Bauhinia variegata, Tectona grandis and Acacia benthami showed slow growth. Tectona grandis and gmelina arborea species were found to be promising species for maximum survival. However Eucalyptus F.R.I.-5,Acacia auriculiformis and Bauhinia variegata are poorly adapted to the region (on the basis of survival).

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Mohit Gera , Sandeep Sharma , A. S. Bhandari , R. L. Srivastava

Abstract

Polybag raised seedlings have many disadvantages viz., ischolar_main coiling and distortion. Scanty lateral ischolar_main development and frequent shifting operations. To deal with the problem, mounted angel Iron (MAI) beds have been designed. Polybags with perforations at the bottom are placed on these beds. The tap ischolar_main is expected to get exposed through the perforations and air pruned leadling to development of fibrous ischolar_main system. A trial was carried out to compare the performance of polybag seedlings of Dalbergia Sissoo raised on MAI beds with those raised on nursery beds. The observations suggest that the seedlings raised on MAI beds recorded significantly higher fibrous ischolar_main biomass (dry wt.t.78 gm/seedling). Number of ischolar_mains (47/seedling) and number of nodules (131/seedling) as compared to 0.84 gm./seedling, 31/seedling and 29/seedIing respectively, in nursery bed raised polybag seedlings. In case of ischolar_main length and primary ischolar_main biomass, the nursery bed raised seedlings recorded significantly higher values of 47.2 cm and 3.10 gm dry wt/seedling respectively as compared to 22.5 cm and 2.22 gm/seedling respectively in seedlings raised on MAI beds. No significant differenec was observed in case of seedling height, collar diameter, leaf biomass and total biomass. The improved polybags seedling production system has significantly enhanced the quality parameters of Dalbergia sissoo seedlings i.e. fibrosity and nodulation.

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H. S. Ginwal , P. S. Rawat , Mohit Gera , Neelu Gera , R. L. Srivastava

Abstract

Seed germination pattern of 30 provenances belonging to 5 subspecies of A. nilotica namely tomentosa, indica var. jaquemontii, indica var. cuppressiformis, nilotica, and indica from 5 countries namely India, Sudan, Pakistan, Yemen and Senegal were studied in nursery conditions. Provenances of A. nilotica from Pakistan showed a very good performance and depicted a parabolic (asymptotic) type of germination curve. However subsp. indica var. cuppressiformis from Pune (Maharashtra, India) gave maximum percentage of seed germination (75%). Significantly a good correlation was evident between cumulative seed germination&number of days elapsed. Relative delay in the initiation of seed germination was found maximum in provenances of subsp. tomentosa and subsp. nilotica.

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R. L. Srivastava

Abstract

In collaboration with Colonization Department, the Forest Department, U.P. has recently undertaken reforestation of Ganga "Kholas" in Meerut District. Natural cover has so far been inhibited by biotic agencies with the result that the conditions have deteriorated and retrogression set in. Soil wash-off and formation of ravines has been very active. This article provides the general history and the technique involved in the control of erosion by raising large scale plantation.

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