T. H. Masoodi , N. A. Masoodi , M. A. Islam , S. N. Zaffer , S. K. Chauhan

Abstract

Basketry is practised in Kashmir since a long time and several species are used for this work. Since 1918, Salix spp. introduced from England and France is also being used and cultivated in several areas. Details of cultivating 'Oisers' as the willows are known here and the methods followed in basket making have been described. The tools used have also been indicated along with sketches of the baskets produced from the willows. Economics of cultivating willows has also been worked out. Several constraints e.g., semi-professionalism in basket making, scarcity of raw material, lack of capital for investment, in-depth study about commercial viability of willows, post-harvest technology have been pointed out. The authors have suggested that this industry can prosper in future only if more land is brought under cultivating willows, basket weavers are suitably trained, modern designs and technology adopted and the products suitably advertised encouraging use of the products nationally and internationally.

Keywords

Basketry, Jammu & Kashmir, Introduced Willows, 'Oiser' Willows, Cultivation,
Economics

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T. H. Masoodi , N. A. Masoodi , K. N. Qaisar , N. K. Joshi

Abstract

Acer oblongum seedlings were exposed to four levels of Nitrogen (0,40,80 and 120 kg ha^-1) in combination with four planting spacings (10×10cm; 15×l0cm, 15×15 cm and 20×20cm) to elucidate their effect on growth, biomass production, nitrogen content and uptake. The most significant result was that combination of 80 kg N ha and 20×20 cm spacing is more appropriate for raising better nursery stock of Acer oblongum.

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R. Banyal , N. A. Masoodi , T. H. Masoodi , L. K. Sharma , S. A. Gangoo

Abstract

The present investigation sought to explore the knowledge and attitude of farmers towards agroforestry practices especially in North Kashmir of Western Himalayas. The informations gathered through the systematic survey by filling the testified questionnaire. A sample of 100 homesteads (41%) from the village was selected through random sampling technique. The responses were analyzed by using Frequency and Percentage Method (FMP). The results revealed that the inhabitants of study area are not well aware about the key points tested under knowledge of farmers about tree farming. On an average of 15 key points (studied), the majority of respondents fall in 'not at all' (38.23%), followed by 'moderate extent' (31.29%), 'large extent' (26.27%) and 'little extent' (19.08%) categories, respectively. Time and stage of tree felling ranked first in all the responses and VAM inoculation at the bottom. The data on attitude of farmers towards agroforestry with its benefits reveal that 58.20 per cent respondents fall in the 'agree category' followed by 'strongly agree' (21.00%) and 'neutral' (20.60%). It is observed that farmers are also reluctant to go for only agroforestry practices due to smaller land holdings. The response regarding agroforestry helps in making the farmers self-reliant ranked first in order. The present study revealed that subsidy is the only response holding the key as motivational factor for adoption of agroforestry practices.

Keywords

Agroforestry, Productivity, Motivation, Adoption, Tree Farming

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M. A. Islam , R. Banyal , N. A. Masoodi , T. H. Masoodi , S. A. Gangoo , L. K. Sharma

Abstract

The information on status of fuelwood extraction and consumption was collected in Sagipora village of Sopore tehsil under Kamraj forest division using interview schedule. Fuelwood extraction and consumption was estimated to be 0.28 and 0.42 tonnes person^-1 yeaf^-1 respectively. The village was found to be experiencing fuelwood extraction/ consumption deficit of 0.14 tonnes person^-1 yeaf^-1. Silvi-horticulture plantation provided the largest proportion of annual woody fuelwood accounting 74.29% of the total availability. Major proportion (82.86%) of the total fuelwood is consumed in cooking and heating. There are 15 prominent tree species which contribute 96.06% of the total fuelwood availability in the study area. The results advocate the need to increase the local production of fuelwood by establishing woodlots of suitable species on waste lands and un-utilized agricultural lands for meeting future demand of the burgeoning population.

Keywords

Fuelwood, Extraction, Consumption, Deficit, Species Contribution, Kashmir

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R. Banyal , M. A. Islam , T. H. Masoodi , S. A. Gangoo

Abstract

The study was conducted in Astingo village of Bandipora Forest Division in north Kashmir on a sample of 224 from 560 households (40%) with the help of combo pack of interview and observation methods. The observations on land utilization pattern revealed that 37.48 per cent of the land area is under agriculture followed by horticulture (20.16%), homestead farming (14.86%), agri-silviculture (12.92%), forestry (08.08%) and silvi-horticulture (06.50%), respectively. The inhabitants relied mainly upon fuel wood, charcoal, dung cake, LPG, kerosene and electricity to meet out their day to day energy demand. Fuel wood dominated among all the energy sources with charcoal at second and cow dung at third in raking. The total requirement of fuel wood at study site was estimated 634 tonnes per annum against its availability 405 tonnes per annum. The almost half (50.20%) of total fuel wood is utilized for cooking and rest is being for other different applications. The strategies must be framed to narrow the gap between demand and supply of energy sources by advocating the need to establish woodlots of suitable species on waste and fallow lands. There is significant potential for generation of power from small hydro projects as Kashmir has vast source of water, solar energy, etc.

Keywords

Energy, Fuel Wood, Landuse, Household, Charcoal, Agri-silviculture, Temperate

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S. A. Gangoo ¹, T. H. Masoodi ¹, Shah Murtaza ¹, M. A. Islam ¹

Affiliations
1 Sher-E-kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Campus Wadoora, Sopore-193201, J&K, IN

Abstract

Practicing lateral pruning as a management practice has given results that there is a significant increase in increment per cent in height of the poplar trees when they are laterally pruned up to 25 % clear bole, 75 % clear bole or 100 % clear bole. However, the pruning intensities do not make any difference in the height of trees when compared among themselves. The results also reveal that there is a significant effect on increment per cent in diameter over control. However, there is no significant effect on increment per cent in dbh among different pruning intensities. As there is significant difference in height and dbh due to various pruning intensities, the same is reflected by the volume of the trees. The maximum commercial volume is obtained in 100% pruning intensity which is 178% more over control followed by 25% and 50% pruning intensities which are significantly at par. Pruning management also reduces the number of female catkins considerably when trees are pruned up to 50%. The number of catkins gets reduced by 80%. Hence it is suggested that the poplar plantations should be intensively pruned leaving at least 50% clear bole to get knot free timber and reduce the cotton menace by 80% due to dispersal of seeds during the month of June and July. This pruning should be done in autumn and till the plantation achieves a height of 15 meters because up to this height the trees can be pruned without much effort.

Keywords

Exotic Poplars, Quality Timber, Reducing, Cotton, Kashmir.

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Murtaza Shah ¹, T. H. Masoodi ¹, P. A. Khan ¹, J. A. Wani ¹, S. A. Mir ¹

Affiliations
1 Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Campus Wadura, Sopore, IN

Abstract

The present study was conducted in Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla and Ganderbal districts of J.&K. After reconnaissance, survey was conducted and two plantation blocks of willow were selected in each district. Analysis of the data revealed that Salix albawas the dominant species with individualistic density of 81.90 % and IVI of 213.80. The existing stem volume, biomass production, carbon density and carbon sequestration potential of trees at all the selected locations were evaluated. The maximum and minimum stem volume of 739.34 and 595.09 cum ha^-1 was recorded at Bandipora and Anantnag districts. The biomass production varied from 429.27 Mg ha^-1 in Anantnag to 532.61 t ha^-1 in Bandipora. The maximum soil carbon density of 68.07 t ha^-1 was recorded at Bandipora, followed by 67.93 t ha^-1 at Baramulla, 66.86 t ha^-1 at Ganderbal and 66.43 t ha^-1 at Anantnag.

Keywords

Carbon Density, Carbon Sequestration, Biomass Production, Salix alba.

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Meraj U. Din Dar ¹, P. A. Sofi ¹, T. H. Masoodi ¹, Mumtaz A. Ganie ²

Affiliations
1 Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura, Sopore, J&K, IN
2 Division of Soil Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar, 190 025, J&K, IN

Abstract

The study was aimed to determine the effect of varying levels of nitrogen fertigation on growth of Cryptomeria japonica seedlings in nursery conditions.The germinated seedlings were fertilized at weekly interval with ingestad pretreatment nutrient solution with nitrogen doze @ 0 (without fertigation), 3.00, 6.00, 9.00, 12.00, 15.00, 18.00 and 21.00 mg dissolved in 50 ml of water along with fixed levels of P, K, Ca and Mg seedling^-1 week^-1 upto 28 weeks. Nitrogen fertigation increased seedling height, biomass, relative growth rate, seedling quality index and other parameters. Quality seedlings of Cryptomeria japonica were produced at the nitrogen addition @18 mg seedling^-1 week^-1 for first growing season at nursery. It increased seedling height by 84.6% collar diameter by 35.5%, total seedling dry weight by 226.2%, as compared to control. Seedling survival (97.2%), relative growth rate (0.248) and seedling quality index (0.093) was recorded highest at 18 mg nitrogen application rate. For raising quality seedlings of Cryptomeria japonica, 18 mg of N week^-1 seedling^-1 may be applied during the first growing season to obtain maximum overall growth and biomass production.

Keywords

Biomass, Fertigation, Growth, Nitrogen, Seedling Quality Index.

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