R. C. Sharma , Sanjeev Sharma

Abstract

Populus ciliata, an indigenous species is widely distributed in Western Himalayas and is attacked by large number of pathogens. Cladosporium humile, the incitant of leaf spot causes defoliation of great magnitude to Ciliata in nurseries and plantations. During 1997-98, an defoliation of great magnitude to Ciliata in nurseries and plantations. During 1997-98, an experiment was conducted to assess 42 clones/species/hybrids of Populus species against C. humile. Out of 24 clones of P. ciliata, none was found disease free. Eight clones were rated as susceptible while rest were highly susceptible. All other 18 hybrids/clones of P. deltoides, P. robusta, P. yunnanensis, P. trichocarpa, P. eugenii, P. oxford, P. gwayder and P. regenerata were found to be immune.

Full Text

     

Sanjeev Sharma , R. C. Sharma , J. N. Sharma

Abstract

Variation in the dimensions of urediniospores of Melampsora ciliata harvested from different Poplar species grown under different environmental conditions has been observed in the present investigations. Smallest urediniospores (20.88 x 15.43 µm) produced on P. ciliata were recorded at Rahla (Zone III) while largest (36.30 x 19.97 µm) were recorded at Raison (Zone II). Urediniospores produced on P. deltoides and P. nigra were smaller in size at Nauni and Raison (Zone II), while larger spores on these species were recorded at Shoghi and Tapri (Zone III). Spores produced in pustules of P. alba at Spillo were smaller as compared to those produced at Reckong Peo. Irrespective of the host genotype and climatic zone, smallest urediniospores were produced on P. alba.

Full Text

     

Sanjeev Sharma , R. C. Sharma , A. K. Gupta

Abstract

Variation in the dimensions of urediniopustules and urediniospores of Melampsora ciliata produced on different popular species/cultivars/clones/hybrids has been observed in the present investigations. Smallest urediniopustules were produced on P.deltoides 'Lux' (0.38 mm) while largest on P.yunnanensis (1.34 mm). In P.ciliata clones/hybrids, smallest urediniopustules were recorded in 53M1 (0.16 mm) while largest in Chhatrari (0.90 mm). Largest spore size (33.6 × 16.3 μm) was recorded on P.deltoides 'Lux' and 64M1 (36.3 × 17.3 μm) while smallest on P. xeuramericana 'Robusta AE' and 53M1. Irrespective of species/cultivars, urediniospore size ranged from 13.1-39.3 × 13.1- 19.6 μm. The average urediniospore size of M.ciliata produced on P.ciliata clones ranged from 30.8 -36.3 × 15.4 - 17.1 μm while that on hybrids from 27.2 - 36.3 × 14.5 - 20.0 μm.

Full Text

     

Vandana Thaplyal , Sanjeev Sharma , Ajay Ballabh Bhatt

Abstract

Study of sacred groves of Kinnaur district, based on the field survey, using GPS, topo sheets and village maps, supported with questionnaire survey in 17 sacred groves revealed the presence of 96 plant species of ethnobotanical importance within 77 genera and 41 families, representing 10 gymnosperms and 86 angiosperms. The species distributed as 22 trees, 32 shrubs and 42 herbs. As per the IUCN standards, 15 species are endangered, 17 are vulnerable and 6 are critically endangered.

Keywords

Sacred Groves, Biodiversity, Communities, Conservation, Ethnobotanical Importance

Full Text

     

R. C. Sharma , Sanjeev Sharma , D. K. Khurana

Abstract

Growing demand of Poplar wood for manufacture of fruit boxes, plyboard, match sticks due to its fast growth and colourless wood have led to extensive plantation of this species. This has resulted in severe outbreak of a number of diseases. Alternaria alternata is one of the most destructive pathogens of Populus species in nurseries resulting in premature defoliation. During 1997, an expcriment was conducted to assess 232 different cloneslhybrids of P. ciliata and P. deltoides against A. alternata. Out of 29 clones and 75 hybrids of P. ciliata, 3 clones and 22 hybrids remained free from the disease. In 11 clones and 2 hybrids of P. ciliata, disease reaction varied from resistant to moderately resistant. Out of 73 clones and 7 hybrids of P. deltoides, 64 clones and 7 hybrids remained free from the disease. All the 46 families of P. deltoides screened were found free from the disease.

Full Text