ID: 58038
Title: Effect of crown position on cone, seed and germination characteristics in Himalayan Cedar
Author: Virendra Singh, S K Lavania, V K Sah and Ajay Kumar Singh
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: Crown position, Cone length, Seed length, seed width seed germination
Abstract: The results of the study revealed that the cone length(11.54 cm), cone diameter (6.10 cm), number of fertile scales/cone (246.96), total number of sclaes/cone (282.28), number of seeds/cone (472.27) and weight of seeds/cone (71.50 g ) were highest for the cones which were collected from upper crown. The seed length (15.45 mm), width (5.01mm), thickness (3.50 mm), fresh (15.04 g) and dry weight of 100 seed (11.72 g) were also found maximum of those seeds which were extracted from the cones collected from upper crown. The maximum germination (64.00%) was obtained from the seeds extracted from the cones collected from upper crown. The maximum germination (64.00%) was obtained from the seeds extracted from the cones collected from upper crown under laboratory condition and was significantly higher than the germination of seeds from middle crown and lower crown. The results of germination in nursery revealed almost the same trend but the values of different parameters were less than the values obtained under controlled conditions.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58037
Title: Hormonal effect on the behaviour of semi hardwood cuttings of Jatropha curcas
Author: Anuja Kumari, M C Arya, P K Joshi and Z Ahmed
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: Jatropha curcas, hormones, semi hardwood cuttings, IBA
Abstract: Jatropha curcas, commercially imported tree species used to produce biofuels, is known for its multipurpose benefits and its role in agro forestry. Present study examines the amenability of different J. curcas strains viz. DARL-1, DARL-2, CJC-18 and CJC-19 through semi hardwood cuttings treated with hormones [Indole 3 acetic acid, alpha-Naphthalene acetic acid and Indole 3 butyric Acid (200 ppm)]. The exogenous plant hormones significantly affected the cuttings of different cultivars in early emergence of shoots, shoots number, shoot length (cm) and leaves per cutting as recorded in the study. The effectiveness was in the order IBA>NAA>IAA when applied to the cuttings. Among the different strains DARL-2 followed by DARL-1 showed better response to hormones as compared to CJC-18 and CJC-19. Over all, its was concluded that semi hardwood cuttings of DARL-2 and DARL-1 treated with IBA 200 ppm can be used for the mass propagation of J. curcas under central Western Himalayas of Uttarkhand.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58036
Title: Medicinal flora of Chhattisgarh - A review
Author: Dinesh Jadhav
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: Medicinal flora, Medicinal plant diversity, Chhattisgarh
Abstract: Chhattisgarh is known to harbour a rich wealth of medicinal plants. An attempt has been made to prepare a detailed account of medicinal floral of Chhattisgarh. The paper deals with 292 speciess of medicinal plants belonging to 240 genera and 88 families from Chhattisgarh. The information has been gathered from available literature on medicinal plants.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58035
Title: Discrimination of bamboo species by shape descriptor of culm sheath
Author: Krishna Singh, Indra Gupta and Sangeeta Gupta
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: Culm sheath, fourier moment, legendre moment, radial distance
Abstract: Bamboo has been widely used as building material throughout the world. There are about 1200-1500 species of bamboos. The bamboo culm sheath shapes provide valuable data in identification of bamboo species. Automated recognition of bamboo has not yet been well established mainly due to lack of research in this area, non-availability and difficulty in obtaining the database. Using digital imager processing and pattern recognition techniques, a supervised classification procedure of three different bamboo species has been developed.
In the porposed work, an automated bamboo species recognition system based on shape features of bamboo culm sheath has been developed by calculating the Legendre moment. A confusion matrix is created to quantify the class wise and the classifier accuracy. The system can eliminate the need for laborious human recognition method requiring a plant taxonomist. The results obtained shows considerable recognition accuracy proving that the techniques used is suitable to be implemented for commercial purposes.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58034
Title: Some new plant records to the flora of Gujarat state, India -IV
Author: S L Meena
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: New plant records, Gujarat state, Indigenous taxa
Abstract: The present paper deals with 6 indigenous taxa of Angiosperm belonging to 6 genera and 6 families are reported as addition to the flora of Gujarat state . The paper also envisages brief citation, description, flowering and fruiting time followed by ecological notes.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58033
Title: Modelling the safe harvest limits and regeneration rate of selected medicinal plants under Sal forests of Doon valley, Uttarakhand, India
Author: Neeta Gera and A K Sharma
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: In-situ conservation, over exploitation, regeneration, sustainable management, medicinal plants, Sal forests
Abstract: Majority of the world ' s human population, especially in developing countries, depends on traditional medicine based on medicinas and aromatic plants (MAPs). Relatively few MAP species are cultivated. The great majority is still provided by collection from the wild. This trend is likely to contiue over the long term due to numerous factors. Cultivation is not necessarily the most beneficial production system. Wild collection practices secure valuable income for many rural households, especially in developing countires. However, over-exploitation of MAPs, has been resulting in the loss of habitat and reduction in the regeneration of the Map species. For these reasons, approaches to wild MAPs collection that balance the needs of local, regional, and international markets with the need for conservation and sustainable use are urgently needed. The present study was undertaken to develop safe harvesting limits for Andrograhis paniculata Nees., Evolvulus alsinoides Linn., Phyllanthus urinaria Linn and Rauvolfia serpentina Benth. occurring naturally in Sal forests of the Doon valley. Negative linear relationship was observed to exist between regeneration rate and harvesting intensity in all the four plant species at all the three sites. Threshold level of harvest adversely affected the regeneration of the above species.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58032
Title: Documentation of invasive plant species in Latehar and hazaribagh districts: Jharkhand - India
Author: B N Divakara, Santosh Prasad and Rameshwar Das
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: Alien invasive species, documentation, Hazaribagh, Latehar
Abstract: The survey was undertaken to document the alien invasive flora present in different ecosystems during November 2010 to February 2011 in Latehar and Hazaribagh districts of Jharkhand. A total of 41 invasive alien species was documented in the selected forests and non-forest areas. Among invasive alien species, major potential threat in the near future is by Lantana camara, Argemone mexicana, Eupatorium odoratum and Hyptis suaveolens. Lantana camara was highest in open forest with density of 2917/ha and frequency 47.62% compared to dense forest with density of 42.5/ha and frequency 50% in Latehar forest. Whereas in Hazaribagh forests the density of Lantana camara was higher than Latehar forests with 3535/ha in open forest and 177/ha in dense forest. In Agricultural land Celosia argentea, Argemone mexicana, Cassia tora, Eclipta prostrata, Emilia sanchifolia, Evolvulus nummularious, Oxalis corniculata, Portulaca oleracea, Scoparia dulcis, Sonchus oleraceous, and Tridax procumbens are found through out Hazaribagh and Latehar districts. Eichornia cressipes was major invasive species found in pond ecosystem.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58031
Title: Growth and yield of white sandal (Santalum album L) in South West Bengal
Author: Sudhir Chandra Das
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: Sandalwood, Heartwood, Hemi-parasite, in-situ, host, JFMC
Abstract: West Bengal has patches of sandal trees mainly in an around Range and Beat Office compounds of South West Bengal to ensure protection. Information on growth pattern of the species would be of immense help in evaluating the expected yield. Height and girth of standing sandal trees and 51 felled trees was taken in Hirbundh Beat of Khatra range of Bankura (South) Division, West Bengal. A sandal wood tree attained an average height of 10.20 m and girth of 83.00cm at the age of 35 years. A average yield per tree was recorded 214.51 kg and av. price per tree was Rs 1,90,000.00 whiel maximum yield recorded from one tree was 415 kg which fetched a avenue of Rs 4,35,000.00 in 2010. It indicate considerable scope of sandal wood cultivation in West Bengal in the place where proper protection is ensured.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58030
Title: Integrated land development in forest fringe villages: The Khunti model
Author: V K Bahuguna, R Das and Sanjay Singh
Editor: Dr P P Bhojvai
Year: 2013
Publisher: The Indian Forester, Vol 139, No 2, February 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: TheForestry
Keywords: Land development, livelihood, natural resources, Conservation, Lac cultivation
Abstract: integrated land development model adopted in 10 forest fringe villages in tribal dominated areas of Jharkhand under a UNDP sponsored project has achieved remarkable success in sustainable livelihood promotion and conservation of natural resources, checking migration of rural mass to outside state for employment and disassociating yound people from Maoist and naxal activities. The rural folk revived the traditional practice of lac cultivation with scientific and technical support of the Institute to reap substantial benefits in tjne of Rs 70,000 - 90,000 per family annually. Apart from growing lac on its well known host trees such as palash, kusum and ber, initiative has been taken on large scale lac cultivation on new host plant Flemingia semialta in farmers ' fields. The intervention reduces the gestation period to 1 year and facilitates intensive management for enhanced crop yield.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58029
Title: A quick and non-destructive population estimate for the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina Fab. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Author: Abraham Verghese, P D Kamala Jayanthi, K Sreedevi, K Sudha Devi and Viyolla Pinto
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 5, 10 March 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Brood nest, Guava ecosystem, population estimate, Oecophylla smaragdina, Weaver ant
Abstract: Field studies were made to develop a quick, non-destructive and investigator-friendly sampling plan to estimate number and biomass of Oecophylla smaragdina using brood nest as index in a guava ecosystem. The brood nest parameters, viz. length and breadth of each nest were measured and the number of leaves, ants outside, worker ants, winged ants, eggs, grubs and pupae was counted and subjected to correlation analyses. Based on the correlation matrix, parameters such as number of ants outside the nest, length and breadth of the nest and number of leaves in a nest were selected as independent variables and regression models were worked out to estimate biomass of O. smaragdina nest. These linear and curvililnear relationships (linear y = a + bx; logarithmic y = C In x +b; exponential y = Cebx; power y = Cxb; polynomial y = b+C1x+C22x+C33x+.... +Cnnx) are discussed in detail as these weaver ants have several implications in ecology, biodiversity and pest management as potential biocontrol agents.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58028
Title: Geochemical evidence for a paired arc-back-arc association in the Neoarchean Gadwal greenstone belt, eastern Dharwar craton, India
Author: Tarun C Khanna
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 5, 10 March 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Archean, arc-back-arc, basalt, Gadwal greenstone belt, Dharwat craton
Abstract: Neoarchean Gadwal greenstone belt is situated in the eastern Dharwar craton, southern India. A well-preserved volcanic sequence which includes a boninite-adakite suite and normal tholeiitic to calc-alkaline basalt -andesite -dacite/rhyolite suite occurs in this belt. The focus of this study is the basaltic rocks from Gadwal greenstone belt. Based on their high field strength element and rare earth element (REE) data the basalts have been broadly grouped into two types: type I basalts are characterized by relatively high Nb/Th (509.2) and display slightly depleted to flat chondrite normalized REE patterns, whereas type II basalts display light-REE enriched patterns and Nb/Th ratio<4. Both the types display uniform Nb/Y (~0.12) over a narrow range of Zr/Y (<3) ratios, and collectively exhibit negative Nb, Ti and minor Zr anomalies on a primitive mantle normalized trace element variation diagram. Alteration, metamorphism and contamination by assimilation of Archean upper continental crust in the study area can be ruled out as the cause of these anomalies. The incompatible trace element characteristics are consistent with a subduction related intraoceanic -arc setting for these volcanic rocks. The geochemical variations in Gadwal basalts cannot be explained by a two-stage mantle melting model as recently proposed for certain basalts from elsewhere (e.g Pickle Crow Assemblage, Canada). The geochemical behaviour is attributed to the lateral variation and batch melting of a primitive mantle source involving subduction zone components. The Gadwal data together with recently published data on basaltic rocks from Archean and Phanerozoic subduction regimes have been used to suggest a Neoarchean paired arc-back-arc association in the estern Dharwar craton.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58027
Title: Impact of OScat surface wind data on T574L64 assimilation and forecasting system-a study involving tropical cyclone Thane
Author: V S Prasad, Anjari Gupta, E N Rajagopal and Swati Basu
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 5, 10 March 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Cyclone Thane, Oceansat-2, OSat surface, scatterometer sensors, wind vectors
Abstract: Ocean surface wind vector data from Scatterometer (OScat) on-board India ' s Oceansat-2 satellite are available to global meteorological and oceanographic community on near real-time basis from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad. The quality of these wind vectors has improved recently and now is almost equivalent to that of any other present-day scatterometer sensors. The OScat winds are available in real-time and hence analysis procedures are developed for assimilating these winds into T574L64 Global Data Assimilation and Forecasting (GDAF) system at NCMRWF, Noida. In this study an attempt is made to quantify the impact of the OScat data through an observational system experiment using the procedure development. The impact has been examined for the 17 December 2011-1January 2012 involving the case of tropical cyclone Thane. This case study clearly demonstrates that the inclusion of OScat data is beneficial to the GDAG system, especially in simulating active cyclonic systems in both analysis and forecast.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58026
Title: Spatial variability in distribution of organic carbon stocks in the soils of North East India
Author: B U Choudhury, K P Mohapatra, Anup Das, Pratibha T Das, L Nongkhlaw, R Abdul Fiyaz, S V Ngachan, S Hazarika, D J Rajkhowa and G C Munda
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 5, 10 March 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Land-use systems, phyto-biomass, soil organic carbon, spatial variability
Abstract: Northeastern region (NER) of India has wide variation in physiography and climatic conditions. Becasue of its strategic settings in the phyto-biomass-rich landscape of the Eastern Himalaya, the soils are rich in organic carbon. However, sporadic information on field-scale observations is available on soil organic carbon (SOC) content at regional level. Information on status and spatial variability of SOC and its complex interaction with land-use systems is scanty. Therefore, an attempt was made to estimate spatial variability in SOC inventories for surface soils across six states of NER (viz. Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura covering a geographical area of 15.61 m ha) in Geographical Information System (GIS) environment. Results revealed that the soils were very high in SOC content - 98.54% area had >1% and 14.4% area had >2.5% SOC content. Similarly, 76.5% area had SOC density of 20-40 Mg/ha. A total of 339.8 Tg (1 Tg = 1012g) SOC stocks was estimated on an area of 10.10 m ha surface soils representing all major land-use systems, with a major share (>50%) coming from forest soils. Complex interaction of geographic location, rainfall, soil texture and land-use practices significantly influenced spatial variation in SOC content, density and stock. The SOC content as percentage of total geographical area was highest in Sikkim followed by Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58025
Title: Skill development mission in vocational areas - mapping government initiatives
Author: Tabassum Jamal and Kasturi Mandal
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 5, 10 March 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Government initiatives, skill development, vocational education and training
Abstract: There exists great demand for a skilled workforce, especially in the context of globalization and when Indian economy is growing at an unprecedented rate. Availability of such skilled workforce is closely associated with the kind of vocational education and training system existing in the country. This article maps the various government initiatives towards skill developmetn by reviewing and analysing the prevailing programmes/schemes under various institutional arrangements, to promote a meaningful and employable skill development system. In doing so, it is found that skill deficiency is present across all levels despite new institutional arrangements from the government and seveal ongoing schemes and programmes operating in the country. Finally, the article makes an attempt to identify the limitations in the above-mentioned context and suggests some mechanism to fill the existing gaps in the skill development area.
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 58024
Title: Ground feeding observations on corn (Zea mays) by eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys)
Author: Kuladip Sarma, Awadhesh Kumar, C Murali Krishna, O P Tripathi, P R Gajurel
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2013
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 104, No 5, 10 March 2013
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: None
Abstract: None
Location: TE15, New Biological Sciences, IISc
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None