Indigenous uses and structure of chir pine forest in Uttaranchal Himalaya,India

The various indigenous uses and structure of chir pine forests were studied in Uttaranchal state of the Indian Republic. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 50 villages of Uttaranchal to gather information on the indigenous uses of chir pine. For the study of community composition and structure of chir pine forest, at least 15 quadrats of 10 x 10 m were selected randomly across various localities, and the number of individuals, along with other dominant tree and shrub species, were enumerated in each quadrat. About 10 indigenous uses of chir pine were prominent in Uttaranchal. Besides resin, an important non-wood product, different parts of chir pine, such as cones, trunk, stems, wood, leaves and bark, were used by the local people. Chir pine is a subject of the folklore and mythology of indigenous cultures in Uttaranchal. Chir pine forest formed three major communities in Uttaranchal viz., sal-pine (Shorea robusta-Pinus roxburghii), pine pure stands and oak-pine (Quercus leucho-trichophora-Pinus roxburghii). These communities sustained various multiple-use trees and shrubs along with various edible mushrooms (eg. Agaricus campestris, Morchella esculenta and Sparassis crispa). The results of this study are discussed in the light of chir pine conservation and management policies.     

Changing face of polyculture in the Darma and Johaar valleys,Pithoragarh, Kumaun Himalayas

Traditional modes of living or sustenance invariably relate to immediate and surrounding resources. Traditional people use many plant resources and have developed subtle and innovative uses for them in order to obtain maximum benefit. Traditional crop varieties and races that evolved over time through trial and error, not only provide basic nutritional requirements, but also food security. While the effects of the green revolution are conspicuous in the lower Himalayas, they are less visible in the study region, the Darma and Johaar valleys in the Kumaun Himalayas. Loss of crop biodiversity has taken place over the years, principally and inadvertently related to changing lifestyle and closure of traditional trade with Tibet after the 1962 Sino-Indian war. Added to this, is a growing demand for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), principally Jambu (Allium stracheyii) and caraway (Carum carvi), whose acreage has increased with the concomitant decline in area under the traditional crops. In addition, the recent discovery of Yar tsa Gumba (Cordyceps sinensis) in the alpine zones of their summer homes has reduced people's interest in sowing, rearing and caring for traditional crops, viz. beans, potatoes, amaranth, whose growing season coincides with the harvesting season of Yar tsa Gumba. The present study attempts to show the causal factors behind the loss in crop biodiversity, as well as the changing lifestyle of these traditional people, vis a vis the changes in polyculture.     

Effect of salicylic acid on morphological and biochemical attributes in cowpea

Effects of salicylic acid (SA) on seed germination, seedling growth, flowering and biochemical activities were studied out in four cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes in control environments. The results revealed that both germination and seedling growth were negatively affected by 0.02%. SA application, however did not affect the size of full expanded buds, time of 50% flowering and date of flower initiation. A maximum increase in peroxidase (EC1.11.1.7) activity was observed in UPC 4200 over other genotypes. No significant change in the content of total soluble and intercellular fluid proteins was observed except in UPC 4200 genotype. SA induced accumulation of total soluble sugars more at flowering stage than at seed setting stage. It is evident from the present study that UPC 4200 genotype was more responsive to salicylic acid both in terms of increased peroxidase activity and less negative effect on morphological attributes, thus suggesting its wider use without negative impact on environment as salicylic acid has been reported in plants.     

Comparison of the Photodegradation of Imazethapyr in Aqueous Solution,on Epicuticular Waxes,and on Intact Corn (Zea Mays) and Soybean (Glycine Max) Leaves

A direct, controlled comparison of the photodegradation of imazethapyr has been made between imazethapyr in aqueous solutions, imazethapyr on the surface of epicuticular waxes of corn and soybean plants, and imazethapyr on the surface of intact corn and soybean plant leaves. In some experiments, the imazethapyr solutions were allowed to evaporate partially or fully after application to better model environmental conditions. The photodegradation of imazethapyr was fastest in aqueous solutions (k?=?0.16?±?0.02?h^?1) and slowest on the surface of corn and soybean plants (k_corn?=?0.00048?±?0.001?h^?1 and k_soy?=?0.00054?±?0.003?h^?1). Experiments allowing evaporation during irradiation have intermediate rate constants (e.g., k_corn?=?0.082?±?0.005?h^?1). Finally, identification of photoproducts was also examined on epicuticular waxes of corn and soybean plants for the first time.     

Induction of enhanced methane oxidation in compost: temperature and moisture response

Landfilling is one of the most common ways of municipal solid waste disposal. Degradation of organic waste produces CH(4) and other landfill gases that significantly contribute to global warming. However, before entering the atmosphere, part of the produced CH(4) can be oxidised while passing through the landfill cover. In the present study, the oxidation rate of CH(4) was studied with various types of compost as possible landfill cover. The influence of incubation time, moisture content and temperature on the CH(4) oxidation capacity of different types of compost was examined. It was observed that the influence of moisture content and temperature on methane oxidation is time-dependent. Maximum oxidation rates were observed at moisture contents ranging from 45% to 110% (dry weight basis), while the optimum temperature ranged from 15 to 30 degrees C.     

Study of Geochemical Association of Some Trace Metals in the Sediments of Chilika Lake: A Multivariate Statistical Approach

In order to establish the natural processes and geochemical factors responsible for enrichment of trace metal ions (Cu, Co, Ni, Zn and Cr) with respect to textural parameters (sand, silt and clay weight percentages) along with depth, multivariate statistical approach has been carried out for sediments in different water zones of Chilika lake, the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia. The rotated varimax factor results reveal that Cobalt enrichment is controlled by both textural parameters as well as adsorption mechanism. In fresh and saline water region, textural parameters and in mixed water, adsorption phenomenon predominates. Zn in fresh water is related to clay, whereas it is in adsorbed state in mixed water. Cu in fresh water sediments is in absorbed state and in mixed water it is related to depth and Co concentration. Cr does not show any specific association in fresh water, but in both mixed and saline water it is associated with clay minerals. Although both textural parameters and adsorption mechanism play an important role for the enrichment of trace metal ions in these lagoonal sediments, their relative importance varies with specific metal ions as well as the water quality. Sequential extraction technique was used to characterize the various forms of metals in the < 63μ size sediments of Chilika lake. The concentrations determined indicated selective accumulation of the various metals in the different phases with spatial variability in different water zones. Slightly higher availability of Co and Zn near Balugaon township in exchangeable phase may be related to anthropogenic activities. Among the non-lithogenous (NL) phases, reducible phase associated with higher concentration of Ni, Cu and Cr. Organic bound Zn and Co contributed highest percentages among NL fractions. Residual fraction contributed more than 50% in most of the cases, reflected the predominance of physical weathering, high erosion rate along the drainage basin.     

Geospatial strategy for sustainable management of municipal solid waste for growing urban environment

This paper presents the implementation of a Geospatial approach for improving the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal suitability site assessment in growing urban environment. The increasing trend of population growth and the absolute amounts of waste disposed of worldwide have increased substantially reflecting changes in consumption patterns, consequently worldwide. MSW is now a bigger problem than ever. Despite an increase in alternative techniques for disposing of waste, land-filling remains the primary means. In this context, the pressures and requirements placed on decision makers dealing with land-filling by government and society have increased, as they now have to make decisions taking into considerations environmental safety and economic practicality. The waste disposed by the municipal corporation in the Bhagalpur City (India) is thought to be different from the landfill waste where clearly scientific criterion for locating suitable disposal sites does not seem to exist. The location of disposal sites of Bhagalpur City represents the unconsciousness about the environmental and public health hazards arising from disposing of waste in improper location. Concerning about urban environment and health aspects of people, a good method of waste management and appropriate technologies needed for urban area of Bhagalpur city to improve this trend using Multi Criteria Geographical Information System and Remote Sensing for selection of suitable disposal sites. The purpose of GIS was to perform process to part restricted to highly suitable land followed by using chosen criteria. GIS modeling with overlay operation has been used to find the suitability site for MSW.     

Spatial variability and temporal changes in the trace metal content of soils: implications for mine restoration plan

Trace metals in soils may be inherited from the parent materials or added to the system due to anthropogenic activities. In proposed mining areas, trace metals become an integral part of the soil system. Usually, researchers undertake experiments on plant species selection (for the restoration plan) only after the termination of mining activities, i.e. without any pre-mining information about the soil-plant interactions. Though not shown in studies, it is clear that several recovery plans remain unsuccessful while carrying out restoration experiments. Therefore, we hypothesize that to restore the area effectively, it is imperative to consider the pre-mining scenario of metal levels in parent material as well as the vegetation ecology of the region. With these specifics, we examined the concentrations of trace metals in parent soils at three proposed bauxite locations in the Eastern Ghats, India, and compared them at a spatio-temporal scale. Vegetation quantification and other basic soil parameters accounted for establishing the connection between soil and plants. The study recorded significant spatial heterogeneity in trace metal concentrations and the role of vegetation on metal availability. Oxidation reduction potential (ORP), pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC) directly influenced metal content, and Cu and Ni were lithogenic in origin. It implies that for effective restoration plant species varies for each geological location.