Atar S. Yadav , S. K. Gupta

Abstract

Phenology of 39 species of shrubs and trees was studied in the Sariska Tiger Reserve Forest in North-East Rajasthan. The leaf fall, leaf flushing, flowering and fruit development was studied from December 2001 to November 2002. There were 24 deciduous woody species which represented more than 90 per cent of the vegetation in the study site. Leaf fall began from September onwards with the retreat of monsoon, attaining a peak value in February when about 35 per cent species were leafless. Leaf initiation began in hot and dry summer season from April untill the end of June when all the species had produced new leaves. Flowering and fruit development occurred throughout the year with one peak in hot and dry summer (March to April) and the another in rainy season (July to August). Thirty three per cent species flowered in the summer season followed by 26 per cent in the rainy season. Only three woody species produced flowers in the cold and dry winter season (December to January).

Keywords

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Plant Phenology, Woody Species, North-Eastern Rajasthan

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A. S. Gill , S. K. Gupta

Abstract

No abstract

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S. D. Roy Chowdhury , S. K. Gupta , S. K. Banerjee

Abstract

The objective of this study was to utilise various tree leaves for biogas production and to compare the potentiality among the various leaves for producing biogas. It was found that digester slurry with leaves and cowdung at 8% total solid concentration would be the optimum concentration for better and efficient biogas production. At 8% slurry level, Leucaena leucocephala leaves with cowdung at 1:1 ratio produced maximum amount ofbiogss with lower percentaee of methane. Up to 35 days of digestion Acacia auriculifarmis leaves produced 41% more gas in total than cow dune and Leucaena leucocephala produced 18% more. In respect ofVFA concentration and degree of volatile matter degradation Dalbergia sissoo is also capable of yeilding biogas. But very high concenteration of VFA and low pH retarted the activities of methanogens. Eucalyptus leaves has
proved to he hardly degradable for biogas production. The high content of volatile solid and hollocellulose and highest C:N ratio justify its hard nature.

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T. A. Khan , P. S. Pathak , S. K. Gupta

Abstract

Statistical analysis of data pertaining to three fuel-cum-fodder trees viz; Acacia tortilis, Hardwickia binata and Leucaena leucocephala planted under agro-silvipasture and farm forestry experiments have been discussed, in the light of normality of data. 54, 39 and 50 samples of size 20 each belonging to these tree species have been chosen for deciding the criterion of transformation function. Sample size with desired variation in mean above-ground biomass in tree have also been discussed. It has been found that logarithmic transformation is most suitable for Acacia tortilis and Hardwickia binata while square ischolar_main function for Leucaena leucocephala. Sample size with desired 10% apartness from mean were found as 95-100% in case of L. leucocephala, 68% in A. tonilis and 15% in H. binata of available plants.

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P. S. Pathak , S. K. Gupta , R. Deb Roy

Abstract

Aerial biomass and coppice shoot growth observations of Leucaeua leucocephala, harvested at 3 and 4 years of age under farm forestry conditions have been presented in this paper. The mean annual increments after 3 and 4 years study show rising trend with maximum increment between the 3rd and 4th year. Under this system it can be possible to harvest fuel wood and forage upto 11.0 tons and 1.0 t/raw km respectively of dry matter on the 4th year. The coppice shoot growth in 1.5 years was found to be equal to the original 3 years growth of the trees thus indicating high coppice growth polentiality and forage yield in this plant.

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S. K. Gupta , S. S. Dalal

Abstract

The paper describes the use of gabion structures for erosion control based on the experience gained at the Soil Conservation Research Demonstration and Training Centre, Dehra Dun. These structures have been used in land-slip and slide control, torrent correction and gully control works. They are simple in construction, flexible, self draining and are made of construction materials locally available. These structures are cheaper than conventional structures and yet quite eftective. The technique of gabion construction has been explained with illustrations. The specificationa for various structures have been given for guidance.

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S. K. Gupta , Ram Babu

Abstract

EI (Erosion Index) values are used for several purposes like estimating soill loss, accurate classification of rainstorm according to their soil eroding potential, accurate evaluation of erosivity of different soils, estimating cover and management effect. These values will be much useful when compiled for the entire country, Usually more than 20 years recording raingauge data is required but in the absence of such long period data; attempt is made to compute EI values for low frequency of 2 years and 5 years and as more years of data collected the estimated values may be extended. The EI values calculated for Dehra Dun are 244, 536 and 808 for 2, 5 and 10 years frequency.

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S. K. Gupta , S. S. Dalal , Ram Babu

Abstract

Rainfall is the most important component of the hydrological cycle. Rainfall data is needed by all agencies dealing with the use and management of natural resources. The total rainfall and distribution, intensity, duration and frequency are often needed for design of engineering structures, analysis of erosion and flood problems. The annual and seasonal data are usually represented by bar diagrams. These do not give much useful information. Probability and frequency analysis of rainfall data will be more useful. The paper describes the method of frequency analysis of annual, seasonal, monthly and daily rainfall data and also for duration less than 24 hour. Similar analysis for other localities as recommended for preparing an isopluvial map of India for various duration and recurrence intervals.

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Wasi Ullah , S. K. Gupta , Ram Babu , M. S. Nayal

Abstract

Determination of areal rainfall amount is essential to most hydrologic investigations. To measure 'true' rainfall, various raingauge installed at a density of 1.94 to 39.80 hectares per raingauge, at Soil Conservation Farm, Dehra Dun have shown that the variation in each storm recorded in 5 years (comprising 137 storms of more than 10.0 mm) was within '5 percent level of significance' and therefore one raingauge up to watershed area of 370 hectares is sufficient. In case the subwatersheds within this size large watershed, are gauged, one raingauge for each subwatershed may be installed as for taking more details. Further studies to determine rain gauge density for larger areas than 370 hectares are required to be conducted under local condition.

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Ram Babu , S. K. Gupta , K. G. Tejwanj

Abstract

no abstract

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Bakhshish Singh , H. N. Mathur , S. K. Gupta

Abstract

Lot of areas are lying waste and are threatened with stream bank erosion in the Sub-Himalayan region. A study was, therefore, undertaken at the Soil Conservation Research Station, Dehra Dun in the Bainkhala torrent to See the performance of vegetative measures and engineering structures, singly or in combination with each other, for channelisation of the torrent with the object to reclaim excels areas under the bed for proper land utilisation and also to check bank cutting. The principle of torrent training and details of the various structures tried are given in this paper. Moreover, their functioning and performance have also been reported; and based upon the experience gained from these trials for about 10 years from 1958 to 1967, the authors have recommended a rational scheme for torrent control works in this region.

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S. K. Gupta , Wasi Ullah , Ram Babu , M. S. Nayal

Abstract

Results of study conducted to find suitable raingages have shown that the cylinder having diameter of 7.5 to 12.5 cm record comparable data with standard raingage when installed at any height varying from 30 to 90 cm. The use of diameter less than 7.5 cm is not desirable as they record considerable high rainfall.
For use of extension departmepts and also where research requires large scale use of raingages, the inexpensive raingages can be constructed by using ordinary G.I. sheet Cylinder or G.I. pipe of diameter between 7.5 to 12.5 cm The depth of rainfall can be directly measured by observing the water accumulated depth in the cylinder. The cost involved in these types of raingages may vary (depending on the material used) from Rs. 5/- to Rs. 20/- per raingage.

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K. Parthasarathi , S. K. Gupta , A. N. Rajeevalochan , P. S. Rao

Abstract

A study of the major and minor nutrient status of the soils of spike-affected and spike-free sandal growing regions has shown that deficiency of either the major nutrients, N,P,K and Ca, or the minor nutrients, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mo and Co in the soils of the spike-affected sandal regions is not serving as a pre-disposing factor for the onset of sandal spike disease. Khan and Yadav (1962) reported that calcareous soils with a low amount of available nutrients were related to the incidence of spike disease in sandal. The soils of the Mysore State are generally not calcareous in nature, but spike disease exists in many of the districts of the State. It has, therefore, given rise to a doubt as to whether the composition of the soil bas really anything to do with the incidence or otherwise of the spike disease in sandal. As long ago as 1955, Muthanna reported that application of minor elements did not show any remedial effect on the sandal affected by spike disease, thus showing that the latter is not traceelement deficiency disease. That the disease is not a deficiency disease is further proved by the fact that it is transmissible (Coleman, 1917; Sreenivasaya and Gopalaswami Naidu, 1928), while deficiency diseases are not. The question, however, remains as to whether the soil status is serving as a pre-disposing factor for the onset of the disease, though not the cause for it. Hence experiments have now been conducted with a view to settling this question, examining the soil samples from some of the districts of the healthy sandal areas (Bellary, Dharwar and Shimoga), and some of the districts of the spiked sandal areas (Kolar, Tumkur and Bangalore) in the Mysore State. From each of the districts, a suitable forest region was chosen, and soil samples were taken from two spots, collecting them from three different layers (0-25 cm, 25-55 cm, 55-85 cm) after clearing the surface soil. The analysis of the soil samples for pH, major nutrients (N,P,K and Cal and minor nutrients (Cu, Zn, Mn, Mo and Co) was done following the methods described by Jackson (1967) and Holmes (1945). Since the pH of the soils of the Mysore State ranges from 5.6 to 6.8 at which range the nutrients (major and minor) are well available, only the total status of these nutrients has been determined. The pH was determined at the moisture saturation percentage of the soils according to the procedure described by Jackson (1967).

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