U. K. Varshney , Raj Kumar

Abstract

Germination and seedling development of two tropical leguminous tree species viz., Albizia lebbek (Linn.) Benth and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. Were assessed in chloride as well as sulphate dominated salt solutions of 4,8,12 and 16 dSm^-1 conductivity levels after breaking the seed coat dormancy with hot water. Both types of salinity adversely affected the seed germination of the two species. Chloride salinity, however, was more detrimental as the percent germination and speed of germination (Maguire Index) declined to greater extent than by sulphate salinity. Seedling growth and vigour index of both the species were also more adversely influenced by chloride salinity.A. lebbek in spite of being more sensitive to both types of salinity showed better seedling length and vigour index than L. leucocephala due to bigger seed size and more food storage in seeds.

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Charan Singh , K. S. Dadhwal , R. C. Dhiman , Raj Kumar

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during the year 2001 to 2006 on marginal degraded bouldery riverbed lands of Doon Valley in North-West India under rainfed conditions. The performance of grasses viz Panicum maximum (fodder grass) and Eulaliopsis binata (industrial grass for fibre and paper pulp) was evaluated alone and in association with Paulownia fortunei with regard to growth parameters and biomass yield. Seventy five per cent lower portion of the tree crown was lopped every year in the month of October - November to obtain different forms of usable biomass (leaf fodder + fuel wood). The maximum height before lopping of the Paulownia tree was recorded 7.6 m with 17.7 cm Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) in the silvipastoral system, which produced 41.9, 55.6 and 97.5 q

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Raj Kumar , Charan Singh , Saira Malik , Aasif Ali , R. K. Nayital

Abstract

Germinability of seeds of Cedrus deodara Roxb. G. Don was studied under different storage conditions in the laboratory. Seeds were stored at four different temperature namely, room temperature (T₁), 5±1°C (T₂), 0±1°C (T₃), -5±1°C (T₄) and in three different container viz.; poly bag (C₁), canvas bag (C₂) and plastic container (C₃). Observation on germination parameters were observed at bimonthly for storage duration of ten month. The results revealed that the temperature -5±1°C (T₄) performed better with highest mean value for all germination parameters i.e. germination (71.18%), Germinative capacity (79.40%), Germinative energy (46.33%) and Germination value (11.36%) after ten months of storage. It was also observed that plastic container (C₃) performed better with highest mean value for all germination parameters i.e. germination (67.63%), Germinative capacity (76.92%), Germinative energy (43.65%) and Germination value (10.45%)] after ten months of storage.

Keywords

Deodara, Germinative Capacity, Germinative Energy, Seed Germination, Germinat Ion Value, Storage Conditions

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Charan Singh , K. S. Dadhwal , R. C. Dhiman , Raj Kumar , R. K. Avasthe

Abstract

A study was conducted for 3 years (1998-2000) on the farmers’ fields in Doon Valley to evaluate the allelopathic effects of trees on the understory crops in a Paulownia and poplar based agroforestry system. Results revealed that leaf leachates of both tree species significantly affected germination of maize and wheat up to 21% and this negative effect was more with 2.0% concentration of leaf leachates in comparison to control. Further it was noticed that this effect was more pronounced with Poplar than Paulownia due to more tannin, wax, flavonoides and phenolics present in the leaf leachates of Poplar. Higher germination and growth parameters of wheat and maize were recorded with 1 and 2 per cent aqueous leaf extract of Paulownia - GP leaves. The Paulownia clone-GP out performed among all the clones of the two species without any significant negative effect on growth and yield attributes of maize and wheat which indicates its compatibility with crops. Thus, it is inferred that the Paulownia clone-GP has great potential as an agroforestry tree species in India under the similar Edapho-climatic conditions.

Keywords

Agroforestry, Allelochems, Leaf Leachate, Maize, Wheat, Paulownia, Poplar

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R. S. Jat ¹, Ruchi Bansal ¹, J. K. Jadav ², Raj Kumar ²

Affiliations
1 Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Boriavi- 387 310, Anand, Gujarat, IN
2 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (CHES), Godhra, Panch Mahal, Gujarat, IN

Abstract

A semi-structured ethnomedicinal survey from Godhra region in Panch Mahal district of Gujarat was conducted during 2013-14 to gather information from the tribal community elders. During the survey, 50 tribal farmers were interviewed for socio-economic and ethnomedicinal informations like; income, land holding, expenditure on medicines, use of medicinal plants for ailments and diseases, and use methods. Results showed that majority of the farmers were marginal and spending 12-17% of their income on healthcare facilities. In this region, most frequently occurring diseases were cold and fever, and mostly treated with medicinal plants available in the periphery. The highest informants consensus factor (ICF) value (1.0) for the use of medicinal plants was reported for jaundice, gastric problems, tooth problem and wounds. Among medicinal plants, Ocimum sanctum and Azadirachta indica have great use in the treatment of common diseases and recorded maximum citations. Ocimum sanctum recorded highest use value of 0.94 for the treatment of fever, cough and cold, followed by Azadirachta indica with use value of 0.92 for the treatment of fever and tooth problems were playing significant role in traditional medicines. The most common method of use of medicinal plants was either decoction or leaf extract or juice of the plant.

Keywords

Ethnomedicinal, Socio-Economic, Income, Medicinal Plant, Tribal Community, Panch Mahal District.

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