Trees of the genus Ficus, integral components of indigenous rainfed agro-ecosystems of the southern dry agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, southern India, have traditionally been associated with the ecological service o...Trees of the genus Ficus, integral components of indigenous rainfed agro-ecosystems of the southern dry agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, southern India, have traditionally been associated with the ecological service of soil quality enhancement in addition to various direct use benefits. We assessed the soil enrichment service of Ficus benghalensis L. a common Ficus species in these agroforestry systems, by quantifying nutrient return via litter fall. Litterfall estimation and chemical analysis of litter showed that F. benghalensis trees produce 3,512 kg ha-1 of litter annually which, on decomposition, can satisfy up to 76.70 % of N, 20.24% of P and 67.76% of K requirements of dryland crops annually per hectare. This can lead to an avoided cost of compost of US $ 36.46 ha-1·a-1 in dryland farming systems. The slow rate of decay of Ficus litter, as revealed in litter decomposition studies indicates its potential as ideal mulch for dryland soils. We discuss the complementarity between Ficus litterfall and cropping patterns in Mandya, and its implications for rainfed agricultural systems.展开更多
We compared morphological and genetic attributes of prog- eny obtained from three seed production areas （SPAs） and three corre- sponding unimproved stands （UIS） of teak （Tectona grandis L.f） at three broad teak ...We compared morphological and genetic attributes of prog- eny obtained from three seed production areas （SPAs） and three corre- sponding unimproved stands （UIS） of teak （Tectona grandis L.f） at three broad teak growing regions in the state of Karnataka, India. In general, seed morphological parameters such as seed weight, seed size and seed emptiness were significantly superior in SPAs compared to UISs. Seed germination percentage was also higher in seeds from SPAs. Seedling performance measured at two monthly intervals for six months was ob- served to be superior in SPAs at two of the three regions compared. Although the genetic diversity of progeny of SPAs was lower than UIS at all regions, the values were moderately high. Germination percent was positively correlated with fruit weight and kernel weight per seed, while diversity indices were negatively correlated with fruit weight, fruit di- ameter and kernel weight per seed. SPAs proved important as a source of moderately improved planting material with no severe threat to the ge- netic diversity of future plantations.展开更多
基金supported by,University Grants Commission,Government of India,New Delhi and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education,Dehra Dun
文摘Trees of the genus Ficus, integral components of indigenous rainfed agro-ecosystems of the southern dry agro-climatic zone of Karnataka, southern India, have traditionally been associated with the ecological service of soil quality enhancement in addition to various direct use benefits. We assessed the soil enrichment service of Ficus benghalensis L. a common Ficus species in these agroforestry systems, by quantifying nutrient return via litter fall. Litterfall estimation and chemical analysis of litter showed that F. benghalensis trees produce 3,512 kg ha-1 of litter annually which, on decomposition, can satisfy up to 76.70 % of N, 20.24% of P and 67.76% of K requirements of dryland crops annually per hectare. This can lead to an avoided cost of compost of US $ 36.46 ha-1·a-1 in dryland farming systems. The slow rate of decay of Ficus litter, as revealed in litter decomposition studies indicates its potential as ideal mulch for dryland soils. We discuss the complementarity between Ficus litterfall and cropping patterns in Mandya, and its implications for rainfed agricultural systems.
文摘We compared morphological and genetic attributes of prog- eny obtained from three seed production areas （SPAs） and three corre- sponding unimproved stands （UIS） of teak （Tectona grandis L.f） at three broad teak growing regions in the state of Karnataka, India. In general, seed morphological parameters such as seed weight, seed size and seed emptiness were significantly superior in SPAs compared to UISs. Seed germination percentage was also higher in seeds from SPAs. Seedling performance measured at two monthly intervals for six months was ob- served to be superior in SPAs at two of the three regions compared. Although the genetic diversity of progeny of SPAs was lower than UIS at all regions, the values were moderately high. Germination percent was positively correlated with fruit weight and kernel weight per seed, while diversity indices were negatively correlated with fruit weight, fruit di- ameter and kernel weight per seed. SPAs proved important as a source of moderately improved planting material with no severe threat to the ge- netic diversity of future plantations.
