V. K. Chauhan , A. K. Joshi , V. K. Dholta

Abstract

An investigation was carried out in the summer season of 2002-2004 to evaluate comparative Maize (Zea mays L.) performance under various tree spacing of Poplar (Populus deltoides Marsh) including control plot (no tree). Increase in distance between tree rows resulted higher growth in height, diameter at breast height, crown diameter and crown length of tree and grain yield in maize crop. The negative influence of tree spacing on Maize growth and yield parameters was in the order of 8m×3m < 6m×4m < 5m×5m < 4m×6m. The trend in grain yield reduction in different maize varieties was in the order of 'Sartaj' (35.22%) > 'Parvati' (26.47%) > 'PSCL-3438' (25.52%) >'Naveen' (21.66%) grown under 4m×6m spacing of Poplar.

Keywords

Agri-silviculture, Zea Mays, Populus deltoides, Tree-crop Interaction, Plant
Parameters, Lower Western Himalayas

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V. K. Chauhan , R. C. Dhiman

Abstract

An investigation was carried out in the winter seasons of years 1996, 1997 and 1999 to study the atmospheric humidity and air temperature during the active growth stages of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop raised under 8m × 8cm, 6m × 4m, 5m × 5m and 4m × 6m spacings of poplar (Populus deltoides Marsh.) trees. Height, dbh, crown width and crown length of the trees were significantly higher in tree spaced at 8m × 3m when compared with other spacing. Tree spacing significantly influenced atmospheric humidity and air temperature in wheat crop grown underneath poplar. Atmospheric humidity was directly proportional to within row spacing of trees while air temperature showed the inverse relation. Variation among wheat varieties were significant for both microclimatic parameters throughout the cropping period except for atmospheric humidity during jointing stage (11.00 hours) of crop growth. Interaction effects of tree spacing and crop varieties could not influence significantly both these parameters during the entire growth period of wheat crop.

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V. K. Chauhan , Vidhya Thakur

Abstract

Forty two Candidate Plus Clumps (CPCs) were selected from the entire range of distribution in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab plains for growth and foliage nutrients evaluation at two different sites. Results were significant for growth attributes and foliage nutrients. Significantly higher growth variation in height, DBH of culm, number of internodes, branch length, number ofleaveslbranch, new culms/clump and nutritional content in foliage was recorded in selection SRB-l, followed by SRM-3 and SRK-2 at both sites of evaluation as compared to the minimum values in PKB-19 at S₁ and H.S.S. 21 at S₂.

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V. K. Chauhan , R. S. Rana , A. K. Joshi , Vinod Dholta

Abstract

Plant diversity in Kandi region of Himachal Pradesh was studied during the year 2006-08. Quantitative documentation of plant diversity is important for in-situ conservation and deriving diversified uses of valuable flora on a sustainable basis. In the present study, 24 species of fiber and forage grasses, 14 of fodder legumes, 22 shrubs of medicinal value, 20 of diversified fruit and 30 of valuable agro-forestry trees have been reported. The investigation is of special significance and could help to assess the loss of plant diversity over a long period.

Keywords

Plant Diversity, Flora, Conservation, Kandi Region, Himachal pradesh

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