V. P. S. Verma , V. N. Tandon , H. S. Rawat

Abstract

The paper presents the biomass production its distribution among different biomass components and tbe distribution of nutrients in an age series of Casuarina equisetifolia plantations in Puri, Orissa. The total biomass ranges from about 19 tonnes (5 years) to 130 tonnes (15 years) per ha with 76% to 83% being contributed by the above ground biomass. An attempt has been made to explain the higher biomass production by first rotation crop for comparable ages. The distribution of nutrients in these ecosystems have also been discussed. As a result of harvesting, the main biomass components (bole, bark and branches), which are usually harvested, results in the removal of 59% (N), 50% (P), 63% (K), 65% (Ca), 66% (Mg) of the total amount of nutrients accumulated in the above ground biomass at the rotation age (15 yrs). Study on nutrient cycling is suggested to maintain the fertility of the soil of this ocality.

Full Text

     

B. K. Sharma , V. P. S. Verma , P. P. Jain

Abstract

Valeriana officinalis Linn, is the source of true valerian and an essential oil, well known in drug trade for use in medicine and an a perfume. It is in fairly good demand in India but does not appear to be cultivated anywhere in the country on commercial scale. The requirement is, therefore, met through imports for which no figures are avai1able. True valerian oil is one of the very costly essential oils; priced Rs 2000/per kg approximately, which is prohibitive and restricts its free use. Instead, the Inferior Indian valerian from Valeriana jatamansi Jones. syn. V. wallichii DC is used as a substitute. In order, therefore, to meet the country's requirement and to save the foreign exchange, the necessity of cultivating a suitable strain of Valeriana officinalis, was felt. Accordingly, seeds of an exotic strain of V. officinalis (from U.S.S.R.) were procured and trials were undertaken in Chakrata Hills (alt. 2150 m), District Dehra Dun, India. The results of cultivation and exploitation are mentioned. Also, the yields of rhizomes/ischolar_mains ,(valerian) and their oil content alongwith its physico-chemical constants, are given.

Full Text

     

Sujan Singh , V. P. S. Verma , R. K. Suri

Abstract

Increasing use of sal seed oil in industry has necessitated prolonged storage of sal seeds after collection during seed fall which occurs during a short span of 4-6 weeks in June/July sal seeds in storage were found to be attacked by a mould fungus identified as Aspergillus niger Van Tieghem. The incidence of infection was assessed as 18-100 percent in seeds stored in different lots in Minor Forest Products Branch. In laboratory experiments, A. niger was found to attack sal seeds under atmospheric humidity of 95 and 81 percent while infection did not take place under atmospheric humidity of 75 percent and below when average moisture percent in seeds was 12.3 percent and less. In another experiment, 3cc of oil obtained from Eucalyptus hybrid leaves was found effective in checking infection by A. niger on seeds in app. 1000cc of space under ideal conditions of fungal growth. Sal seeds can thus be stored healthy for prolonged periods by reducing moisture contents in seeds to about 12 percent or by treatment of seeds with Eucalyptus hybrid oil when drying of seeds is not possible.

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma , S. P. Pant

Abstract

The width of annual rings was measured on 90 chirpine trees tapped for 5 years to different extent of their girth. Such measurements were also carried out on 9 untapped trees to compare the effect of tapping. The data showed that tapping significantly reduced the ring width during tapping period, the reduction being correlated to the effective width of the blaze. Tapping for 5 years with the normal (10 cm wide) blaze reduced the ring width by 14.3%. The trees tapped with the stimulant (20% solution of a mixture of Sulphuric and Nitric acids) showed on an average 3.5 percent greater decrease in the ring width than those tapped without any stimulant.

Full Text

   

V. P. S. Verma , B. K. Sharma

Abstract

The common method of propagation of Costus speciosus (Koen.) Sm. Is by planting rhizome cuttings. Since rhizomes of this species are used for extraction of diosgenin, their use as planting material means loss Of diosgenin. An alternative method of propagating the species by planting saplings raised from sprouted node buds, is reported.

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma , M. P. Shiva , I. V. Subrahamanyam , R. K. Suri

Abstract

The paper described the possibilities of utilization of essential oil from Eucalyptus hybrid which is the most widely planted Eucalyptus species in India. It is estimated that 7064 kg of green leaves are obtained per hectare which yield. 43.75 kg of Eucalyptus oil on distillation. The Eucalyptus oil was analysed for its constituents by G.L.G. which showed the presence of piaenes to an extent of 45.43 per cent.

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma , S. P. Pant

Abstract

The yield of oleoresin obtained from 38 year old trees of slashpine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) planted at Dehradun is compared with that of the indigenous Chirpine (Pinus roxburghii Sargent) or almost the same age and comparable diameter and crown development. Both the species were tapped for 2 years (1975 and 1976) by the normal Indian method with weekly freshenings. Slashpine was found to yield 84.8 percent (with an error of ± 8.8%) more resin than chirpine. It was observed that where as the average yield from chirpine was 1.901 kg the slashpine trees of almost the same age gave 3.516 kg of resin per season.

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma , G. N. Kharakwal

Abstract

The paper describes the details of the gum tapping experiments on Stereulia villosa Roxb. in Mohand Range of Siwalik Forest Division, Uttar Pradesh. The yield of sum from the healed surface, and untapped surface has been studied and it has been observed that there is no significant difference in the yield of gum from the healed surface and fresh surface at 5% probability.

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma , P. S. Payal , S. P. Pant

Abstract

The paper gives the result of observations made on the resin yield from chirpine (Pinuus roxburghii Sargent) with various non corrosive chemical compounds including some auxin herbicides. A 2% aqueous solution of 2, 4-D was found most effective followed by the paste of lime and 3% solution of 2,4,5-T. All chemical compounds were found more effective during summer season (April to June).

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma , P. S. Payal

Abstract

The paper gives the data of resin yield obtained from various numbers of 20 cm and 40 cm wide blazes as compared to 10 cm wide blaze from 1972 to 1974. The data from untreated blazes as well as those treated with a 20% mixture of Sulphuric and nitric acids is given. The maximum average yield obtained during 3 years from untreated blazes was 13.225 kg per tree and from the treated blazes was 17.268 kg per tree which was obtained when 45.8% and 61.4% of the girth from untreated and treated trees respectively was wounded. More than one narrow blaze together yield more resin than a single blaze of equivalent width.

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma

Abstract

The paper deals with the use of sulphuric acid paste (with kaolin) for resin tapping. It is observed that although the absolute yield of resin from a channel does not increase but the yield in terms of freshenings increases, resulting in higher productivity per labour. The freshening height of 12 mm is found to be more favourable to resin yield than the usual freshening height. There appears to be seasonal variation in the effect of sulphuric acid on the yield of resin.

Full Text

     

V. P. S. Verma

Abstract

Important features of the forestry in GDR like production and important of wood, position of growing stock and increment, forest area and spp. Etc., are dealt. The administrative setup of the department in a socialist society is discussed. The developments in the silviculture and utilisation of forests have been described. Other features like ameliorative measures for improvement of soils are also touched upon.

Full Text