Sanjeev K. Chauhan , R. K. Nanda , M. S. Brar

Abstract

Agroforestry that envisages integration of trees, herbaceous crops and/or animals on the same land unit, holds promising potential in Punjab to diversify traditional rice-wheat rotation. On the basis of information provided by the respondents, it was realized that the farmers with low awareness, unfavourable attitude and constraints (land, technical, financial, legal, social, etc.) are not able to adopt poplar (Populus deltoides)-based agroforestry successfully. In poplar-wheat agroforestry system, growing condition of wheat are modified due to presence of tree and, thus, response of wheat differs than that of tree-less agricultural system. Age of poplar trees is recorded as most important factor influencing wheat grain (var. PBW 343) yield. On an average, reduction in grain yield was 20.10 per cent under one year old poplar plantation, which increased to 54 per cent under four year old plantation. Under irrigated poplar-based agro-ecosystem, light is the major limiting factor for reduction in grain yield.

Keywords

Poplar-Based Agroforestry, Diversified Agriculture, Punjab

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Sanjeev K. Chauhan , Naveen Gupta , Ritu , Sudhir Yadav , Rajni Chauhan

Abstract

The assessment of carbon storage potential has been difficult due to the lack of information on biomass compartmentation and carbon allocation in different species. For most of the species used for afforestation/reforestation, only the above ground biomass potentials are known but to have a picture of carbon storage potential of species, the below ground biomass pattern are equally important. This study was aimed to measure the biomass partitioning and the actual carbon allocation in different components of agroforestry tree species. The biomass accumulation through stem was highest in Acrocarpus fraxinifolius (22.35 kg), which was statistically at par with Populus deltoides (18.92 kg) and Eucalyptus tereticornis (16.16 kg). There was no statistical difference in below-ground biomass of different tree species. The highest tree stem carbon storage at the plantation level was found in Acrocarpus fraxinifolius (6.05 t ha^-1), while the lowest was in Syzygium cumini (0.73 t ha^-1). The mean carbon storage in tree ischolar_mains was 1.55 t ha^-1, while the mean stem carbon storage was 2.70 t ha^-1. It was observed that the carbon content of biomass components had relatively little influence on total carbon storage compared to the relative biomass in each tree components. Stem alone though was the largest store house of carbon but litter and ischolar_mains in the short rotation tree species play a major role in carbon sequestration in the soil reservoir. The fate of stem carbon depends upon its end use and needs locking up in post harvest products for longer period.

Keywords

Biomass Partitioning, Carbon Sequestration, C:N Ratio, Morphological Parameters,
Rooting Pattern, Short Rotation Tree Species

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Sanjeev K. Chauhan , G. K. Sharma , Charan Singh

Abstract

Seedlings on raised beds were subjected to a variety of ischolar_main culturing and fertilizer treatments. Seedlings parameters were recorded at the time of outplanting. The undercutting and wrenching treatments produced shorter and thin stemmed seedlings with reduced shoot, seedling and total ischolar_main dry weight in comparison to the untreated seedlings. The number, length and dry weight of lateral ischolar_mains were stimulated in treated seedlings. The application of N and P fertilizers individually and in conjunction with undercutting and wrenching also showed significant improvement in growth and biomass characters. The application of 80 kg N/ha and 30 kg P₂O₅/ha were considered appropriate for better performance of seedlings. The seedlings were better conditioned to withstand outplanting stress and showed improved survival over the respective control.

Keywords

Ulmus villosa Seedlings, Root Culturing, Fertilizers, Morphology, Outplanting
Survival

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Rakesh Nanda , G. S. Momi , Sanjeev K. Chauhan

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to compare the awareness of adopters and non-adopters towards the benefits of Poplar based agroforestry in Punjab. Multistage sampling technique was followed for the selection of the respondents and 108 adopters and 108 non-adopters of Poplar based agroforestry were taken for the study. Adopters as well as non-adopters had medium to high awareness about the judicious use of resources, nutrient cycling, protective benefits, environmental benefits, socio-economic benefits, etc of Poplar in agroforestry system.

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Mandeep Kaur Gill , Sanjeev K. Chauhan , S. S. Gossal

Abstract

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) native to Indian sub-continent is important multipurpose tree species. Azadirachtin obtained in maximum amount in neem kernels find maximum uses in insecticidal and pesticidal formulations. Neem seeds do not store well and their viability falls rapidly after two weeks. The potential for bulking up of high genetic gain with in short period at an early age favours the operational use of vegetative propagation. The present study was initiated on ischolar_maining of stem cuttings with two separate experiments with different concentrations of auxins (IAA and IBA) 1000 to 4000ppm for 10 seconds and 100 to 400ppm for 12 hours dip. Also, 600,800 and 1000 ppm IAA and IBA were used for air layering. In micro-propagation, nodal segments were used as explants. Different media combinations were tried for producing multiple shoots and ischolar_maining. The 1000ppm IAA (quick dip) and 100ppm IBA (long dip) produced maximum ischolar_maining 63.75 per cent and 57.50 per cent, respectively, under controlled conditions, while the untreated cuttings did not produce ischolar_maining. The maximum number of ischolar_mains per cutting and total ischolar_main length (17.00 and 169.00 cm, respectively) in 1000ppm IAA and (12.51 and 169.25 cm, respectively) in 100ppm IAA was noticed. In general, ischolar_maining in neem cuttings decreased with increase in concentration of auxins. Propagation through stem cuttings with auxin treatment under open nursery conditions was not successful even during spring season. In micro-propagation, maximum explant establishment (77.50 %) was in MS medium (1^st stock half ). Maximum multiple shoot induction was recorded on medium MS+0.5 mg/l BAP + 0.5 mg/l Kin. Media with MS +0.5 mg/l IBA gave maximum ischolar_maining and vermiculite mixture produced best results for the hardening of plants. Preliminary studies on micro-propagation were successful and needs more efforts to develop the protocol for mass production of genetically superior material with more azadirachtin content for commercial exploitation.

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Sanjeev K. Chauhan , V. K. Mishra , G. K. Sharma

Abstract

Conditioning treatments viz. undercutting and wrenching significantly influenced all the studied ischolar_main biochemical parameters (proline content, peroxidase activity, total sugars, starch and carbohydrates). Values exhibited an increasing trend with decrease in undercutting depth and increase in wrenching frequency. Application of ammonium nitrate and single super phosphate as nitrogen and phosphorus sources of fertilization, respectively failed to show much effect on these parameters. The increase in stress imposed by undercutting depth × wrenching frequency interaction also manifested effect on these physiological parameters. In general, the nutrients N, P, K, Ca, and Mg content in ischolar_mains increased with increase in stress level. The fertilizer application following undercutting and wrenching treatments also influenced the ischolar_main nutrient concentration significantly.

Keywords

Ulmus Villosa, Undercutting, Wrenching, Fertilizers, Biochemical, Nutrients

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Sanjeev K. Chauhan , S. C. Sharma , R. Chauhan , Naveen Gupta , Ritu

Abstract

The increasing level ot green house gases in general and carbon dioxide in particular has raised concerns about the vulnerability of human, animal and plant life. Forests though serve as source and sink of the CO₂ there is need to synthesize the impact of climate change on forests and the role of forests in global carbon cycle. Soil accounts for a major organic carbon pool, which needs to be quantified in tree based systems. At a rotation of seven years, poplar timber carbon content was 23.57t/ha and an equal amount was contributed by ischolar_mains, leaves and tree bark. The contribution of branches was 24 per cent of the total 62,48t poplar biomass (carbon storage) in seven years. Soil organic carbon increase was also substantial under tree-crop interface than sole wheat cultivation. The annual biomass in agroforestry intervention not only accumulated sixty per cent more carbon but a major portion of carbon is stored over a longer period than the sole crop.

Keywords

Poplar-wheat Intercropping, Productivity, Carbon Sequestration, Organic Carbon

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