ID: 54486
Title: Activity schedule, herd dynamics and management of spotted deer, Axis axis (erxleben, 1977): A case study in Zoological Garden, Alipore, Kolkata
Author: K Ganguly, S Quasin, A K Roy Mahato, J K De
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Activity, time budget, spotted deer, foraging
Abstract: A group of spotted deer consisting of all age and sex categories were observed for their activity schedule and herd formation at the Zoological garden, Kolkata. Scan sampling technique was used throughout the day for comparative analysis. Overall the spotted deer spent their time (Mean + SE) in feeding (male 29.72+ 7.4, female 30.46 + 5.2); resting (male 45.19 + 8.6, female 38.89 + 4.5); Walking (male 17.59 + 2.9, female 38.46 + 5.2) and social activities (Male 7.5 + 1.3, female 6.85 + 1.09). The spotted deer spent a major portion of the time feeding between 9:00 hrs to 11:00 hrs and 16:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs. They showed a bimodal pattern when the temperatures was lower. Spotted deer devoted most of the time in resting between 11:00 hrs to 16:00 hrs. Results showed that the average mixed herd size was 10.36; average females -yound herd 7.56, average all male herd size 7.37 and the average herd size of yearlings was 3.13. It was found that resting was directly proportional to the daily temperature while feeding was inversely proportional. It was also observed that the females were more active than males; they walked more and exhibited greater number of behavior/hour. Female devoted more time to foraging and interacting with other herd members and also in mututal groom more than males. Results suggest that it is likely to breed Spotted deer and reintroduce them to the wild and minimize the population size because behavioral stress resulting from poor captive condition affects growth, reproduction and resistance to disease.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54485
Title: Evaluation of seed longevity of Diploknema butyracea
Author: Nawa Bahar, V R R Singh and Preeti Sharma
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Diloknema butyracea, Mulitpurpose tree, Several uses, fodder, fuelwood and medicine
Abstract: Diploknema butyracea is a fast growing multipurpose tree species belonging to family Sapotaceae. Seeds of D. butyracea were stored for different storage period at ambient condition and various seed and seedling parameters were studied. The investigation revealed that seeds of this species are short-lived. Keeping in view the most desirable characters viz., germination percent, germination value, seed weight, seed value and seed vigour of fresh seed lot were determined among all other storage periods at ambient condition.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54484
Title: Variation in nutrient contents in foliage of Terminalia arjuna Bedd- Potential fodder species of low hills of Himachal Pradesh
Author: J K Sharma, M Prabhakar and Kamal Sharma
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Terminalia arjuna, Micro-nutrient, Fodder
Abstract: The macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Na) concentration was studied in the leaves of Terminalia arjuna, the potential fodder species of low hills of Himachal Pradesh. The leaf samples were selected from leaf emergence (May month) to leaf senescene (April month). N, P and K contents decreased in the foliage of the species with the increase in the leaf age and leaf size whereas Ca concentration increased in the leaves throughout the growing season till the leaf fall. Na contents did not reveal any particular trend. The seasonal average of N, P, K, Ca and Na was 1.45, 0.194, 1.55 , 4.39 and 0.19 percent, respectively. Further, based on the seasonal average and seasonal nutrients trend, the optimum lopping time to harvest nutrient rich fodder for cattle is recommended as November and December months.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54483
Title: Reproductive biology of Dalbegia sissoo Roxb
Author: S P Vasudeva and T S Sareen
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: pods, Seed abortions
Abstract: Dalbergia sissoo has flowering season of two months and the peak flowering period was for a week. The anthesis, dehiscence of anthers, stigma receptivity and pollinator activity showed synchronised diurnal rhythm. Flowers were pollinated by honey bees, beetles, butterflies and thrips. Despite the deep penetration of the self pollen tubes only 6% of selfed flowers produced fruits (against 44% in cross pollinated). This is due to the presence of self-incompatibility which is assessed to be of the gametophytic type. The low seed production helped in efficient dispersal of pods due to decreased wing loading of pods. It also helped in post dispersal establishment due to lack of competition between fewer genetically related seeds in a pod. Dispersal of seeds occurred through the agency of wind, birds and water.
The abortion of flowers and immature fruits was common in Dalbergia sissoo. The fruit set in nature was 15% while the remaining 85% flowers aborted. The fruit formation following deliberate selfing was 6% in contrast to 44% from deliberate cross-pollination. Post zygotic factors have primarily been implicated to explain the abortion of fruits in D sissoo. The average seed production was 1.30 formed from an average of 5 ovules. The mature brown pod was 1.3 seeded and rarely 4 seeded. Seed abortion was observed in 74% of cases with only 26% cases of the ovules developing into mature seeds. The distal most ovule developed into mature seed in 75% cases. Seed abortions were probably due to the dominant distal most ovule starving the other proximal ovules.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54482
Title: A study of tourist visitations in protected areas of Central Western Ghats in Karnataka
Author: T V Mohandas and O K Remadevi
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Ecotourism, conservation, tourist attractions, visitor satisfaction
Abstract: A study was undertaken to find out various aspects of tourist visitations to the protected areas in Central Western Ghats of Karnataka. The rich biodiversity in this region attract lot of tourists and nature lovers. Kudremukh National Park, Someshwar sanctuary and Mookambika sanctuary were selected as study area. Data on number of visitors taken from records of Forest Department and a questionnair based study was conducted to gather information on socio-economic status of visitors, their willingness to pay for visiting the sanctuaries, their preference to see wildlife and their impression on the hospitality and facilities in the sanctuaries. The study showed that majority of the visitors is attracted by the rich wildlife and scenic beauty in the area. Most of the visitors wanted to see tiger during the visit. Only 5.6% of the visitors regarded butterflies as part of wildlife and wanted to see them. Gender details, educational and economic profile of visitors as well as their willingness to pay for visiting the sanctuaries and thus supporting conservation measures were analysed.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54481
Title: An addition to the Thar Desert termites (Insecta: Isoptera)
Author: Sachin Kumar
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Thar desert, Termites, Haryana
Abstract: The Thar Desert consists of four states in north-western India and two states in southeastern Pakistan. Six species including (Anacanthotermes macrocephalus (Desneux), Psammotermes rajasthanicus Roonwal and Bose, Coptotermes heimi (Wasmann), Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann), Microcerotermes beesoni Snyder and Odontotermes feae (Wasmann)) are recorded for the first time from the Thar Desert portion of Haryana which are addition to the 51 species of termites which are already known from this region.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54480
Title: Effect of different host plants on the development of Spilarctia obliqua Walk. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
Author: Mohammad Faisal and Mukhtar Ahmad
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Spilarctia obliqua Walk, Host plants, Development
Abstract: Spilarctia obliqua is a potential polyphagous pest of agroforestry importance which is capable to cause considerable damage to many forestry and agricultural crops in the absence of primary pest. Development of S. obliqua was studied by exposing larvae to main host plants including Brassica compestris, Paulownia fortunei, Populus deltoides, Tectona grandis and Toona ciliata. Total consumption of Toon ciliata foliage by the larvae was found maximum (6961.06 mg) while that of Paulownia fortunei was minimum (3456.03 mg). Taking consumption of average leaf area as the criteria, maximum leaf area of 13711.29 mm2 of T. ciliata was found consumed while that of P. fortunei was minimum (7381.93 mm2).
Among the five host plants studied maximum weight (754.43 mg) was gained by the larvae when fed on P. fortunei and minimum (390.93 mg) on T. ciliata.
Maximum larval length gain by the larvae was 45.46 mm when fed on P. fortunei and minimum (29.19 mm) on T.ciliata.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54479
Title: Tree growing at farm in Eastern and Western UP, India: A comparative analysis of adoption issues
Author: Nandan Kumar, Rajiv Pandey and Jawaid Ashraf
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Farmforestry, Agroforestry, Farmland, Wasteland, Stepwise Regression, Public Policy, Peasant Farmers
Abstract: Planting trees outside forests will be an additional source of raising forest cover. However, there is large disparity within the farmer communities for tree planting at their farm at regional scale. This study has considered addressing the issue of adaptation of tree planting in two regions of UP for comparison. These are the Western region with high density of tree plantation at farm; and Eastern region with low density.
The information related to social, economic and decision making environment within households besides the infrastructural, extenstion and technical aspects were collected through pretested questionnaire from 39 and 66 randomly selected households from Eastern and Western UP respectively.
Economic motives in tree growing are evident in the share of commerical forest tree species in the farm forest tree content. The study concludes that social and economic environment within the households governs teh tree planting on both the regions besides external factors. The farmers of Western UP have better access for market (79%), industry accessibility (83%), cheap transport and agents (89% adn 76%), planting materials availability (75%) and loan facility (65%) in comparison to Eastern UP, where these practices are quite low. Association analysis confirms that the land and economic status were influencing the adaptation decisions. Based on the stepwise regression analysis for households ' contextual factors, a regular flow of off-farm incomes adds to investible capacity of farm households and encourages tree growing. That the heterogeneity in adoption decision is a function of myriad of factors, which includes intrinsic characteristics of household and state affairs, for the training and extension besides the functionality of the regulatory bodies. Therefore, policy and programme should address both the economic motives of farmers and other associated factors for encouraging tree planting.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54478
Title: Motivational factors in activities of Agro forestry- A case study
Author: Neelam Pant
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Motivation, Awareness, Agroforestry, Participation, Extension
Abstract: The study was conducted in Betalghat Block in Nainital district to find our the factors influencing the motivation of villagers for participating in agroforestry. Findings revealed that household size, annual income, level of forest dependency, level of contact with technical person, level of awareness about forestry activities and level of participation in extension education courses were positively and significantly correlated with level of motivation of villager ' s participation in agro forestry.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54477
Title: Estimation of over-and under-size merchantable timber volume of Populus deltoides Bartr
Author: G P S Dhillon, R S Dhanda, R I S Gill and Pritpal Singh
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Populous deltoides, timber volume, merchantable volume
Abstract: Populus deltoides is an important agroforestry tree species adopted by the farmers in North-West India. Though economic returns are comparatively better than rice-wheat rotation under well-managed conditions, poplar growers have suffered in recent past owing to their exploitation by the middlemen. The marketing is mostly done by grading of timber based on mid girth of logs as over-sized or under-sized logs. The present study was conducted in the central-plain region of Punjab, as existing timber volume and weight tables do not provide the information regarding proportion of over- or under- sized timber. The data on tree height, diameter at breast height was recorded on 83 randomly selected trees having girth at breast height (1.37 m from surface) ranging from 45 to 113 cm. The trees were felled and cut into logs of acceptable merchantable lengths. The data on log length, log girth (over and under bark) on both ends and at mid point, and log weight were recorded. The volume regression equations were developed on basis of diameter at breast height (DBH), and DBH and tree height. Further separate volume and weight tables were developed for over and under sized merchantable timber. These tables will be useful to the farmers, timber growers, wood contractors, state forest departments, research workers and the planners in their respective areas of concern for future plantations programmes.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54476
Title: Studies on termite resistance, dimensional and thermal properties of chemically treated Bamboo (Bambusa Tulda)
Author: Pradip K Gogoi and Juthika Sonowal
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Termite resistence, dimensional stability, diethyldithiocarbamate, bamboo
Abstract: The effect of chemical treatment of common bamboo (Bambusa tulda) for inducing termite and fungal resistance and dimensional stability were evaluated. Treatment with boric acid (BA), copper acetate (CA), sodium salt of diethyldithocarbamate (DEDTC), maleic anhydride (MA), dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA) polymer and kerosene substantially resist both bio and thermal degradation as well as enhance their dimensional properties. Dithiocarbamate and its copper complex was found to be a good cellulase inhibitor. Maleic anhydride and DMAEMA polymer alone enhanced the dimensional properties in terms of antishrink efficiency (ASE), bulk co-efficient (BC) and weight percent gain (WPG) but not adequate to resist termite and funal attack, as evidenced from burial test and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) analysis. To attain good dimensional stability and resistance to biodegradation, the sequence of chemical treatment in bamboo (Bambusa tulda) is boric acid, maleic anhydride, copper acetate, diethyldithiocarbamate and kerosene. From the thermal data of both untreated and treated samples, it was observed that the percentage of weight loss decreases in the treated samples compared to untreated ones. The active decomposition temperature of the treated samples was higher than the untreated sample.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54475
Title: In vitro morphogenetic responses of a tropical tree Terminallia arjuna L
Author: Usha Yadav and V S Jaiswal
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Leaf explants, Somatic embryogenesis
Abstract: Plantlets via somatic embryogenesis have been produced from leaf derived callus of mature Terminallia arjuna L. tree when cultured on Murashige and Skoog ' s (MS) medium containging 2.3 ? M-23.0 ? M of 2,4-D. However, the formation of white globular embryos was triggered by the withdrawal of 2, 4-D from the nutrient medium after the exposure for a certain period of time. Embryogenesis and further embryo development as well as secondary somatic embryo formation was preceded in the nutrient medium containing 0.11? M to 0.44? M of BAP.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54474
Title: A survey report of nitrogen fixing species of Garhwal Himalaya and some rhizospheric enzyme study in desert soil
Author: S P Chaukiyal and Rayees Afzal Mir
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Nitrogen fixing, Garhwal Himalaya, Rhizospheric enzyme, Desert Ecosystem, climate condition
Abstract: In an extensive survey to Garhwal Himalaya and arid soil of western Rajasthan twenty four leguminous nitrogen fixing species were identified including seven herbs, nine shrubs, four climbers and four tree species which were screened for nodulation and nitrogen fixation activity between 400-2100 m altitudes. Maximum and minimum nodulaton and nitrogne fixation (21881.3 n molesn moles acetylene reduced pl-1h-1) activity was recorded in Desmodium floribundum at 2000m and Atylosia scarabaeoides (56.4 n moles) at 900m altitude respectively.
In desert ecosystem, five herbs, two shrubs and three climbers were tested for rhizophoric soil acid and alkaline phosphate and dehydrogenase activity. Minimum and maximum acid phosphatase activity was recorded in Rhynchosia minima and Indigofera argentea and alkaline phosphatase in Indigofera linnaei Ali, and Indigofera sessiliflora. Whereas, minimum and maximum dehydrogenase activity was observed in Alysicarpus longifolius and Indigofera sessiliflora respectively. The identified herb, shrub and climber species may be useful for conservatin of degraded site under harsh climate conditions in temperate Himalayan and Rajasthan desert ecosystem.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54473
Title: Distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in Koochi hills, Western Ghats, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu
Author: N Nagarajan, Uma Maheswari, V Mohan and S N Suresh
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Western Ghats, symbiotic relationship, Soil spore population
Abstract: An attempt has been made to investigate the occurrence and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in association with the roots and rhizosphere soils of 46 different plant species belonging to 25 families grown in Koochi Hills, Western Ghats, Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. It was found that all the samples had AM fungal colonization in the form of vesicular, arbuscular and hyphal structures in the roots and spores from the rhizosphere soils but there was variation in percent root colonization and soil spore population. Total of 18 different AM fungi belonging to four genera viz., Acaulospora, Gigaspora, Glomus and Scutellospora were recorded from teh rhizosphere of different plant species. Among them, the genus Glomus was found most dominant group of AM fungi. In this study, Am fungal association was reported from the first time in some of the plants of the families such as Araceae, Caryophyllaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Elaeginaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Poaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Oleaceae, Onagraceae, Polygonaceae, and Portulacaceae, which were reported to be non-mycorrhizal.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 54472
Title: Hydro-edaphic properties of woodland habitat of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve-Tamilnadu and Karnataka and their relationship with its flora-Part I
Author: J N Singh and S P Chaturvedi
Editor: Dr V R R Singh
Year: 2011
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 137, No 3, March 2011
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Forestry
Keywords: Hydro-edaphic properties, Woodland habitat, Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu, Karanataka
Abstract: The study was aimed at to investigate the hydro-edaphic properties of Woodland habitat of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR) and their possible relationship with its flora. Mechanically, the soils within two states are quite sound and are capable to support the taxa of mighty dimension and lofty height. There are six textual classes of soils in Tamil Nadu-NBR and seven in Karnataka. Due to high presence of clays contents in the majority of the soil types within NBR-Tamilnadu make the soil textually superior over their counterpart in Karnataka. Data on physico-chemical characteristics of the soil irrespective of state demonstrate the superiority of their acquired characteristics over inherent. The inherent characteristics of the soil in both states of NBR are heavily loaded with silica, sesquioxides and iron oxides which are not congenial to the proper growth and development of flora of the area. It is further illustrated that one delicate but stable equilibrium is functioning among soil-vegetation and climate of the region, which is remarkably tilted towards degradation in both states. Soils as whole within two states are feebly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction, possess sufficient reserve of energy materials within Tamil Nadu, but in Karnataka, they are noticeably bereft. Their phosphorus and cation exchange capacity are relatively superior in Tamil Nadu than Karnataka. The waters of Tamil nadu are categorized as C1S1 calss, whereas, water of Karnataka come under C2S1 category and as such they have direct bearing on flora and fauna of the area.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None