Bamboo-based agroforestry is a promising option for sustainable land management in India. Optimal management of bamboo-based mixed species production systems, however, requires an understanding of bamboo spacing, root activity and distribution of bamboo roots, and the soil nutrient capital of the site. We examined the performance of turmeric as an understorey crop in 7-year old bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees) stands of varying spacing treatments (4 9 4, 6 9 6, 8 9 8, 10 9 10 and 12 9 12 m) at Kerala Agricultural University Campus, Thrissur, Kerala, India. In order to better understand turmeric and bamboo growth parameters, soil physico-chemical properties, understorey light availability and turmeric root activity by soil injection of 32 P were determined in mixed (turmeric ? bamboo) and sole turmeric situations. To characterize root activity, 32 P was applied at 10 cm depth to the turmeric plants in raised beds established between the two central rows of bamboo in all experimental plots. Growth attributes of bamboo were recorded and the soil was analyzed for physico-chemical properties before intercropping. Results revealed that spacing treatments exerted profound influence on bamboo growth. For instance, clump height decreased by 19 % in the widest (12 9 12 m) bamboo spacing compared to that of the closest (4 9 4 m) spacing. However, widely spaced bamboo exhibited better clump diameter, crown coverage and turmeric rhizome yield, whereas, closest (4 9 4 m) spacing of bamboo plot recorded least rhizome yield of 8 Mg/ha; this was 58 % less compared to widest spacing of 12 9 12 m (19.32 Mg/ha). Soil N, P and K at widest spacing was 56, 45 and 33 % less compared to that of the closest spacing. NPK uptake by turmeric also increased in the wider spacing treatments. Factors contributing to reduction in growth of turmeric in the denser bamboo stands may be the high LAI (6.77 in 4 9 4 m spacing) as compared to widest spacing (0.44 in 12 9 12 m spacing) of bamboo, low understorey PAR (107 lmol/ sec/m 2 ) and high root competition. Due to competition by bamboo, 89 % decline in 32 P absorption by turmeric at closest spacing of bamboo was observed compared to the bamboo-less plot. On a final note, turmeric, although a shade tolerant Zingiberaceae crop, may perform better if light transmittance is between 66 and 86 % and for optimal performance of the understorey turmeric in mixed species systems, wider bamboo spacings beyond 8 9 8 m are recommended.
SUMMARYA field experiment was made during the rainy season of 1982 and 1983 at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi to study the relative efficiency of prilled urea, urea supergranules (USG) and USG coated with neem cake and DCD. Prilledurea was applied at 60, 120 and 180 kg N/ha, while the other sources of N were applied only at 120 kg N/ha. Nitrogen was added to rice in a single application 20 days after sowing (20 DAS) or in two applications, half 20 DAS and the rest at panicle initiation. Response of rice to prilled urea was linear up to 180 kg N/ha, the highest dose in the present study. Two applications produced more rough rice and straw and resulted in higher nitrogen uptake and apparent recovery than a singleapplication. Neem-cakecoated USG was superior to prilled urea in respect of panicle characters, rough rice and straw yield, nitrogen uptake and apparent nitrogen recovery. Coating USG with DCD also showed some advantage. Uncoated USG was only slightly better than prilled urea.
Summary About 8.4 per cent of applied nitrogen was lost as ammonia during a week after application when prilled urea was broadcast or banded and incorporated in soil 20 days after sowing of rice. Ammonia volatilization was reduced to 3.3 per cent when urea supergranules (USG) were used. Coating of USG with DCD or neem cake showed no advantage. Ammonia volatilization was only 0.7 to 1.6 per cent when fertilizer was applied at panicle initiation stage of rice; highest values were again obtained with prilled urea. The experiments were carried out in closed cages.
A study was conducted in three shola forests of Idukki District in Kerala namely Mannavan shola, Pambadum shola and Mangladevi shola to document the vegetative characters of the tree species seen in these forests and to develop a field identification key for the same. A total of 86 species were recorded during the study – 81 from Mannavan shola, 77 from Pambadum shola and 34 species from Mangladevi shola. The most dominant family was Lauraceae with 13 species. A field identification key for these 86 species was prepared based on dichotomous characterization and elimination with the aid of vegetative characteristics like phyllotaxy, shape, size, structure and texture of leaves, stipules etc. The key is user friendly and enables identification of arborescent tree species of shola forests in the field itself even in the absence of reproductive structures. This key is not an exhaustive one. Possibly some more species might not have been recorded during this study. Also shola forests in other Districts have not been considered for this study. Therefore, the key is of limited value. Also, features like bark, blaze character, habitat, phenology etc. may be included to further enhance the precision to identify the tree species of shola forests. Hence, there is further possibility to widen the scope of this key.
The allelopathic effect of Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.f.) fruit leachates on the germination and vigour characteristics of Rice (Oryza sativa Linn.) and Green Gram (Vigna radiata (Linn.) Wilczek) seeds was studied under laboratory conditions. The Rice and Green Gram seeds were soaked directly in the Teak fruit leachates of different days or in distilled water and subsequently wetted during germination with the leachate or distilled water. The germination characteristics of Rice and Green Gram seeds increased significantly due to the application of Teak fruit leachate. Largest effect was recorded generally due to first day’s leachate and the effect declined due to subsequent days’ leachate.
Though there was not enough data available throughout the phytosome research, authors tried maximum to provide all inputs for the preparation of phytosomes. The objectives of the present research work focused on the investigation of phyto chemical constituents of aqueous extract, preparation of nanophytosomes of aqueous extract. Momorica charantia plants were collected locally from the village of Muhavur. The leaves were separated from the plant and the leaves were washed with water and then again washed with chloroform to remove soil particles and the leaves were spread and dried in the shade for 4 days. The aqueous extract of Momorica charantia obtained was subjected to qualitative analysis to test the presence of various phytochemicals. Particle size of prepared nanophytosomes was analyzed by photon correlation spectroscopy using a Shimadzu particle size analyzer (SALD 2101, Japan). Diluted nanophytosomal suspension was placed into the sample dispersion unit while stirring at room temperature (in order to reduce the inter particle aggregation). All analyses has been performed in triplicate. Nanophytosomes of Momordica charantia aqueous extract was effectively prepared and tested. The aqueous extract was evaluated phyto chemical screening followed by all characterization studies. Phytochemical screening study remaining that the extract consists of flavanoids. The characterization study showed that the phytosomes are having nano size, good stability properties with round to spherical shape with smooth surfaces.
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