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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry.
The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services.
The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.
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ThesisItem Open Access Reproductive biology, molecular profiling and biochemical analysis of Terminalia chebula (Retz.)(DYSPU, 2013) Sankanur, Mahantappa; N. B. SinghThe present investigation entitled “Reproductive biology, molecular profiling and biochemical analysis of Terminalia chebula (Retz.)” was carried out at Regional Horticultural Research Station, Jachh, Kangra and in the Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni, Solan (HP) during 2010-2013. Reproductive biology of six T. chebulagenotypes revealed that Kothi (G 1), Paragpur 2 (G 3 ), Kallar (G4), Bhella (G 5) and Tamber (G 6 ) initiated most of their phenological events earlierthan Paragpur 1 (G 2 ) genotype. The flower buds busted after the leaves started to emerge for all the genotypes. Among genotypes each spike is on an average 6.79 ± 0.45 cm and produces 40.67 ± 3.36 flowers acropetally over a period of 6–7 days. On thebasis of sizes and development stages, the flower buds were assorted into seven different stages. The stigma protrudes out of the calyx during the mature bud stage. It is receptive since then and continues until the evening of the 3 rd day. The pollen–ovule ratio is 10,890:1. Anin-vitropollen germination percentage of freshly collectedpollen was higher in 30% sucrose with Brewbaker and Kwack’s medium (BKM). Fresh pollen viability percentages were generally high (above 70 per cent) for most of the genotypes. -20 0 C temperature with controlled humidity was found effective in long term storage of pollens for breeding programmes. The manual pollinations performed for autogamy, geitonogamy and parthenocarpy did not set fruit. Whereas, those performed for the xenogamous mode set fruit (65.76 ± 10.4%) and in open-pollinations the fruit set was 7.83 ± 0.78%. The flowers were foraged during daytime by 42 species of insects representing bees, wasps, bugs, flies, butterflies and beetles. Crossability pattern studies revealed thatgenotypes under study were cross compatible shouldbe involved in intraspecific breeding programme. In all the fourteen successful crosses between different genotypes were obtained. Per cent successful cross was highest in cross Bhella (G5) × Paragpur 1 (G 2) that was 2.14 per cent. The data for various nursery traits viz., collar diameter, plant height and number of leaves for various crosses was recorded when seedlings were 8 months old. Collar diameter for various crosses ranged between 1.36 mm to 3.38 mm. maximum value for collar diameter was recorded for cross Bhella (G5) × Kallar (G 4 ) i.e.3.38 mm. The maximum plant height was 20.80 cm which was recorded for cross Paragpur 2 (G 3) × Paragpur 1 (G2 ). The maximum number of leaves was found in the cross Paragpur 2 (G 3 ) × Paragpur 1 (G 2 ). Among the six genotypes various qualitative morphological descriptors studied viz.,crown of tree, branching type, bark colour, leaf colour, arrangement, shape, tip shape, base, margin, flower type, flower colour, fruit base and tip and seed colour did not show any variation at all except forthat fruit shape. Fruit samples collected from sixdifferent genotypes showed variation in their shapes, bases, colours, physical dimensions and chemical characteristics. Fruit shapes were of obovoid to ellipsoidal obovoid. While, the fruit base were, varied from round - broad. Fruit colour were Yellow green group – 144 A and 144 B. Fruits from Paragpur 1 (G 2 ) showed maximum values of fresh fruit weight (44.41 g), fresh pulp weight/fruit (42.08 g), fresh fruit length (6.46 cm), fresh pulp/kernel ratio (18.06) and dry pulp/kernel ratio (5.39). The present study confirms the need for domestication of T. chebulato be based on two ideotypes, one for fruit flesh [Paragpur 1 (G 2 )] and the other for seed trait [Paragpur 2 (G 3)]. Twenty five RAPD and twelve ISSR primers were effective in revealing polymorphisms among different genotypes of T. chebula. RAPD exhibited 96.76 per cent polymorphism among six genotypes, out of the total, 124 scorable bands, 120 showed polymorphism and 4 bands exhibited monomorphism. Total numbers of amplified and polymorphic fragments generated per ISSR primer revealed 97.92 per cent polymorphism among genotypes. Genotype Paragpur 2 (G 3) came as outliner as revealed by both ISSR study and combined data (RAPD and ISSR). Crossability pattern studies revealed that genotypes under study were cross compatible should be involved in intraspecific breeding programme. The overall profile of various macro and micro minerals as well as other chemical constituents shows T. chebula fruits as highly nutritious. T. chebula fruits should be regularly, used either in the raw form or in the form of 'Jams' and 'Murebba’ so that these fruits become an important part of our diet to supplement human dietary requirements. Signature of MajorThesisItem Open Access Estimation of gene action, combining abilities and heterosis in Grewia optivaDrummond(DYSPU, 2013) Saresh, N. V; N.B. SinghThe present investigation entitled “Estimation of gene action, combining abilities and heterosis in Grewia optiva Drummond” was carried out in the Department of TreeImprovement and Genetic Resources, Dr Y. S. ParmarUniversity of Horticulture & Forestry Nauni, Solan (HP) during 2010-2012. There is collection of Grewia optivagenotypes from different districts of Himachal Pradesh and were maintained in the nursery from which ten genotypes was includedin the study and the plant material of 6 females (SO-1, SO-2, SO-4, SO-8, CH-2 and SI-15) and 4 male (SO-3, SI-6, BI-4 and HA-4) genotypes were control crossed using Line X Tester (6X4 factorial) mating design. Out of twenty four controlled crosses attempted all the crosses successfully produced viable seeds. The per cent successful crosses was highest in SO-2 X SO-3 ( 88.10 %) and minimum was for SO-8 X HA-4 (23.81 %).Maximum seeds per flower (3.80) was recorded for SO-8 X HA-4. Maximum germination percentage (72.72) was recordedfor crosses involving SI-15 X BI-4 (70.59), survival percentage was in SO-1 X BI-4 (97.73 per cent) recorded highest per cent survival, while, CH-2 X BI-4 (57.69 per cent) recorded lower survival per cent. GCA variances were highly significant for seed diameter, seed length, germination per cent, survival per cent, nursery characters like plant height, collar diameter, number of leaves, internodel length and leaf area. Higher magnitude of SCA variances as compared to GCA variances for collar diameter (six months) and fodder quality characters. SO-8 the female parent genotype was proved to be good general combiners for all nursery characters, male parents BI-4 expressed its positive general combining ability for plant height, collar diameter (for two months data) and number of leaves per plant. SI-6 and SO-3 showed positive general combining ability for collar diameter while SI-6 and BI-4 for internodel length. For fodder quality parameter, SO-8 and SO-4, while SI-6 and BI-4 were good general combining ability with respect to crude protein content. The F 1 SO-4 X HA-4 recorded positively significant SCA effects for most of the parameters. The genetic components of variance in F 1 generation revealed that dominance components (H1 and H2) and additive component (D) were highly significant for all the characters.The regression line exhibited that most of the characters were controlled by dominance and over dominance type of gene action. Over dominant gene action with low to high narrow sense and broad sense heritability was observed for many character studied. For nursery characters, SO-8 and SI-6 showed over dominant gene action for plant height, collar diameter with high broad and narrow sense heritability. In SO-8 XSI-6 over dominant gene action was observed for plant height, collar diameter and number of leaves. For fodder quality characters SI-15 X BI-4 gave the highest positive significant SCA effects for crude protein content. From Wr/Vr graph maximum dominant gene action for nursery character were observed in SO-1,SO-2, SI-15,CH-2 and SO-4 and for fodder quality character, female parent CH-2, SO-8 and SI-15and male genotype SO-3, SO-8 and HA-4 exhibited over dominant gene action for crude protein, crude fat and nitrogen free extract. SI-15X BI-4 showed higher mid parent heterosis for plant height (49.06 %), SO-8 X BI-4 expressed its heterotic ability for collardiameter (98.63 %) and Internodel length (46.63 %). Whereas, SO-8 X SI-6 cross showed higher heterosis for number of leaves (23.16), leaf area (122.57 %), leaf weight (171.56), crude protein content (35.77 %) and crude fiber (19.52 %). The paternity analysis using molecular markers disclosed the factthat F 1 ’s are highly similar to their male parents. The 14 RAPD markers data showed that 23 out of 24 hybrids were highly similar to their male parents, whereas, eleven ISSR markers disclosed that 20 out of 24 hybrids were highly similar to theirmale parents.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON WOOD CHARACTERISTICS USING Ageratum conyzoides L. EXTRACT AS A WOOD BIOPRESERVATIVE(2013) NEENA, DEVI; SHARMA, K.R.ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Studies on wood characteristics using Ageratum conyzoides L. extract as a wood biopreservative” was carried out in the Department of Forest Products, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) Products and also in the Laboratory of Fruit Pathology in the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). Wood samples of Pinus roxburghii Sargent, Celtis australis L., and Bombax ceiba L. of size 5cm x 2.5cm x 2.5cm +.25cm x .15cm x .15cm (longitudinally x radially x tangentially ) were got prepared. The wood specimens of Pinus roxburghii Sargent, Celtis australis L., and Bombax ceiba L. were dipped in 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2 % (w/v ) Ageratum conyzoides L.. extract solution for 48 hours. These were analysed for variation of specific gravity, per cent weight gain of treated and untreated wood on dry weight basis (Swelling), Per cent weight gain of treated and untreated wood on wet weight basis (Shrinkage), weight gain, volumetric swelling coefficient, volumetric shrinkage coefficient, Swelling of wood in three different planes, Swelling of wood in three different planes, Chromium absorption, Chromium leaching, chromium retained. Per cent fungus growth and per cent fungal inhibition. The maximum value of specific gravity recorded in Pinus roxburghii L. (0.516) and minimum in Bombax ceiba L. (0.500). The highest per cent variation in weight of treated and untreated wood on dry weight basis (Swelling) recorded in Celtis australis (97.61%) and lowest in Pinus roxburghii Sargent (60.21%). Maximum value (49.91%) for per cent variation in weight of treated and untreated wood on wet weight basis (Shrinkage) was recorded in Celtis australis and minimum (37.42%) in Pinus roxbrghii. Variation in oven dry weight of treated and untreated wood was found maximum (0.058g) in Pinus roxburghii while minimum (- 0.093) in Bombax ceiba. The maximum value (8.43%) of volumetric shrinkage coefficient was recorded in Pinus roxburghii and minimum (7.62%) in Celtis australis showing significant difference. Maximum value (9.07%) for volumetric swelling coefficient was found for Pinus roxburghii and minimum (8.42%) for Celtis australis. Maximum value for chromium absorption, chromium leaching and chromium retention found at 10% chromic acid concentration and minimum at 5% chromic acid concentration. Shrinkage of wood was recorded maximum for Pinus roxburghii in all the three planes i.e. longitudinal (0.75%), radial (3.65%) and tangential plane (4.25%). Minimum shrinkage was recorded for Bombax ceiba in longitudinal plane (0.29%) and tangential plane (3.02%) and for Celtis australis (2.55%) in radial plane. Maximum fungus colonization was recorded in control (100%) for all the species, but for Celtis australis and Pinus roxburghii at 0.25 per cent concentration (100%) is recorded and minimum fungus colonization in Bombax ceiba at 2 per cent concentration (39.70%). Highest fungus growth inhibition was recorded for Bombax ceiba (60.30%) and Pinus roxburghii (45.08%) at 2.00 per cent concentration and the lowest was found for control in all the species but also for Celtis australis L and Pinus roxburghii Sargent. at 0.25 per cent concentrations.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON WOOD CHARACTERISTICS USING Parthenium hysterophorus L. EXTRACT AS A WOOD BIOPRESERVATIVE(2013) LALIT, KUMAR; DUTT, BHUPENDERABSTRACT The present investigations entitled “Studies on wood characteristics using Parthenium hysterophorus L. extract as a wood biopreservative” was carried out in the Department of Forest Products, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) Products and also in the Laboratory of Fruit Pathology in the Department of Mycology and Plant Pathology, Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). Wood samples of Pinus roxburghii Sargent, Celtis australis L., and Bombax ceiba L. of size 5cm x 2.5cm x 2.5cm ( longitudinally x radially x tangentially ) were taken for the study. The wood specimens of Pinus roxburghii Sargent, Celtis australis L., and Bombax ceiba L. were dipped in 0.00%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2 % (w/v ) Parthenium hysterophorus L. extract solution for 72 hours. These were analysed for variation of specific gravity, per cent weight gain of treated and untreated wood on dry weight basis, per cent weight gain of treated and untreated wood on wet weight basis, weight gain, volumetric swelling coefficient, volumetric shrinkage coefficient, Swelling and shrinkage of wood in three different planes, chromium absorption, chromium leaching, chromium retention, per cent fungal growth and per cent fungal inhibition. The maximum value of specific gravity was recorded in Celtis australis L. (0.576) and minimum in Bombax ceiba L. (0.432) showing significant difference.Swelling and shrinkage of wood were recorded maximum for Pinus roxburghii Sargent in all the planes viz.,longitudinal, radial and tangential plane. Maximum volumetric swelling coefficient was recorded for Pinus roxburghii Sargent wood at 1.5% concentration and minimum for Celtis australis L. at 0.25% concentration.The volumetric shrinkage coefficient was recorded highest for Pinus roxburghii Sargent in control and lowest for Bombax ceiba L. at 1.5% concentration. The maximum per cent variation in weight of treated and untreated wood on dry and wet weight basis had been recorded in Bombax ceiba L. wood in control and minimum in Pinus roxburghii Sargent at 0.25% and Celtis australis L. at 0.5% concentration. The mean values of oven dry weight for different treatments increased with the increase in concentration upto 1.5% at par with 2% concentration. The highest value was recorded in Bombax ceiba L. at 2% concentration and the lowest in Bombax ceiba L. in control. Maximum value for chromium absorption, chromium leaching and chromium retention found at 10% chromic acid concentration and minimum at 5% chromic acid concentration. Maximum fungus colonization were recorded in control (100%) for all the species and Pinus roxburghii Sargent at 0.25% concentration. The minimum fungus colonization in Bombax ceiba L. was found at 2% concentrations (48.38%). Highest fungus growth inhibition was recorded for Bombax ceiba L. at 0.25% concentration (7.25 %) and the lowest for control in all the species and for Pinus roxburghii Sargent at 0.25% concentrations.ThesisItem Open Access EVALUATION OF M1 PROGENY OF Swertia chirayita (Roxb.ex Flem.) Karst. FOR MORPHOLOGICAL AND YIELD PARAMETERS(2013) KUMARI, BANDANA; RAINA, R.ABSTRACT The present studies, “Evaluation of M1 progeny of Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex. Flem.) Karst. for morphological and yield parameters”(2011-2013) was in continuation to the earlier study, “ Studies on induction of mutations in Swertia chirayita which was conducted during 2009-2011 by a preceding student. The present studies focused on the impact of the gamma doses tested (2-30 kr at a dose interval of 2kr) on the growth performance of main shoot and beyond upto complete senescence. Some of the gamma ray doses had a promotory effect on plant height (78.66 to 81.72 cm in comparison to 68.22cm in control), no. of leaves per plant (102.27 to 113.27 leaves in comparison to 79.24 no. of leaves in control), leaf length (13.64 to 13.8 cm in 6 and 8 kr doses in comparison to 12.12 cm in control), leaf width (5.0 to 5.46 cm in 6, 8 and 14 kr doses in comparison to 4.31 cm in control) and no. of costae per lamina (in comparison to average no. of 7.28 in control and 12, 16, 22 and 24 kr treatments exhibited 7.95 to 10). Higher stomatal index (8.85 to 10.97) in comparison to 8.7 in untreated plants was observed in some of the treatments. Lower pollen viability (12.98 to 75.88%) was observed in all those M1 plants that produced flowers (84.7% in control). Light brown seed (48.33% germination) were observed in one plant impacted by 14 kr dose in addition to normal dark brown seed (70 to 71.67% germination). The flowering duration was extended upto November/December in 14 kr and 22 kr treatment (August to October in other treatments as well as untreated plants). Eight induced variants based on morphological and growth features like (A) plants with suckering habit showing perennial nature, (B) plants without main shoot development, (C) lamina bifurcation, (D) leathery textured lamina, (E) whorl of 3 leaves at a node (as against a pair of such leaves under normal condition), (F) plants with more no. of costae per lamina, (G) flower colour change) and (H) vigorous plants were identified. Amarogentin content in cauline leaves of variants A, B, D, G and H showed an increase (0.237-0.304% in comparison to untreated plants 0.146%) and only variant H showed an increase in amaroswerin content(0.308%) in comparison to untreated ones (0.125%). In stems, amarogentin content increase in variants A, C, D, G and H (0.208 to 0.305%) in comparison to untreated ones (0.166%) and only variant D(0.107%) and F (0.054%) showed an increase over untreated plants (0.034%) for amaroswerin content. In roots only variants G and H (0.045% and 0.069%) showed an increase in amarogentin content (0.021% in control) and variants A, B, C, G and H showed increase in amaroswerin content (0.007% in control).ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF WEATHER PARAMETERS ON THE PRODUCTION OF CEREAL CROPS IN SOLAN DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(2013) ELIBARIKI, RAHELI; AGGARWAL, R.K.ABSTRACT The present investigations entitled “Effect of Weather Parameters on the Production of Cereal Crops in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during 2012-2013 in the Department of Environmental Science, Dr. Y. S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. Weather data for the period (1984 - 2011) and the data of cereal crops for the period (1996-97 to 2010-11) were analyzed. To compute the trends of weather parameters for annual, seasonal, monthly and weekly data, measures of central tendency and variation (mean, standard of deviation, Skewness and Kurtosis), regression coefficient whereby different functions including quadratic, cubic, compound, growth, exponential and logistic functions were fitted and the best fit functions were selected on the basis of R2 value and Sen’s estimate analysis was used to find out the trends of weather parameters which stabilize the data in the form of median values. Effect of weather parameters on crops yields were carried out using regression analysis whereby each individual weather parameter was correlated with crop yields and also multi-linear regression (combinations of all the selected weather parameters) equations were obtained. The results of variability analysis revealed no significant trends for the selected weather parameters and also kurtosis and Skewness did not show any normality assumptions. In case of regression analysis cubic and quadratic functions were found to be the best fit for the selected weather parameters. In annual analysis the highest R2 value was 0.6 in case of maximum temperature, while for all other weather parameters the R2 value varied between 0.06 – 0.40. Sen’s estimate analysis indicated increasing trend of maximum temperature by 3.0oC, minimum temperature by 0.5oC and decreasing trend of rainfall, relative humidity and sunshine hour. Analysis of relationship of crops yields with time also did not show any significant trend in regression analysis, however, in Sen’s estimate all the selected crops showed increasing trend. Effect of individual weather parameters to crops yields found to be non- significant, however, in multiple-linear regressions analysis effect of weather parameters on crops yields found to be significant with R2 value of 0.70 for wheat, 0.60 for rice and 0.50 for maize, indicating thereby that crops yields are influenced by combinations of weather parameters not a single weather parameter.ThesisItem Open Access INVENTORISATION OF WATER RESOURCES IN SOLAN DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(2013) CHAUHAN, SHALINI; BHARDWAJ, SATISH KUMARABSTRACT The investigation entitled “Inventorization of water resources in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during 2012-2013 in Solan Block, District Solan of Himachal Pradesh. To inventorize the water sources, survey was conducted as per prestructured performa. People’s perception was also recorded to verify the inventorisation. To find out the water quality four dominant land use systems namely industrial, urban/suburban, institutional and rural were studied. The collected water samples were analyzed for various parameters like pH, EC, BOD, COD, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl-. In Solan Block the total water sources recorded in the field were 3218. After recording the additional small scale sources in the region additional 34 sources was inventorised as compared to the official records. Out of the total water sources only 3070 are being commercially exploited for use in the region and a total of 499 handpumps were installed. Out of the total water sources in Solan District, 22% ground and 30% surface water sources were in Solan Block. The people perception indicated that out of 35 panchayats, seven panchayats have water deficiency. In Solan Block only 303.4 ha of total area is covered under 11 major irrigation schemes utilizing water from Nullahs, Khuds and Rivers. A total population of 62,753 in rural area of Solan Block has a water requirement of 43,92,710 liters per day whereas, that of urban population (37935) was 47,41,875 liters per day. The total water requirement of Solan Block comes recorded was 91,34,585 liters per day for a population of 1,00,688. The total water storage capacity in Solan Block is 52,13,122.28 gallons to meet the demand of 100688 inhabitants along with the water requirement for other purposes. But this capacity remains unutilized many times due to less water availability.. The pH of the water sources ranged from 7.24 to 7.92. The highest value of pH (7.92) was found in institutional landuse system. EC ranged from 0.41 to 0.92 dS/m. Maximum EC (0.92 dS/m) was found in institutional land use. The mean COD value of water was found to range from 63.75 to 111.08 mg/l. The highest COD (111.08 mg/l) was noticed under institutional land use. The BOD for water on an average ranged from 1.44 to 12.35 mg/l. Under industrial land use highest BOD (12.35 mg/l) was recorded. Value of Calcium content ranged from 51.28 to 90.48 mg/l and the maximum calcium content of 90.48 mg/l was under institutional land use. Magnesium of water sources on an average ranged from 26.87 to 37.76 mg/l. The maximum concentration of magnesium (37.76 mg/l) was found under industrial land use. The Cl- content of water sources of Solan block on an average ranged from 14.05 to 38.06 mg/l. The highest value of Cl- (38.06 mg/l) was recorded under institutional land use. Therefore, industrialization and institutionalization in Solan Block has resulted BOD, COD, Ca and Mg content in the water sources above WHO standards. Study indicated that industrialization and institutionalization have started impacting the water quality of Solan Block.ThesisItem Open Access MONOGRAPHIC STUDIES ON Malaxis acuminata D. Don(2013) MADHUKAR, JADHAV RANI; SHARMA, YASH PALABSTRACT The present investigation entitled, “Monographic studies on Malaxis acuminata D. Don” was carried out in laboratory and experimental area of the Department of Forest Products, Dr. Y. S. Parmar university of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, (H. P.) during 2011-2013. The result revealed that plants of this species are erect, small with modified stem-composed of rhizome like structure and pseudobulbs. The rhizomes are horn like structure, elongated and tapering while pseudobulbs are more or less globular to conical. The leaves are simple, ovate to lanceolate, petiolated, entire lamina with undulating margin having acute to acuminate tip with a sheathing (attenuate) base and parallel venation. Leaves had 3-7 costae per lamina, however, leaves that developed from pseudobulbs of Shilly germplasm had 3-5 costae only. Leaf constants viz. palisade ratio 0.84±0.03, stomatal index 8.43±0.80, stomata number 70.34±2.28, stomata size 0.036±0.0005mm ×0.03±0.0006mm and anomocytic type stomata have been recorded for the first time in this species. Besides the normal purple flower, some plants from Shilly germplasm were characterized by greenish yellow coloured flowers at full bloom stage with appearance of faint purple spot in the centre of the labellum at senescence stage of flower. Weight of seeds per capsule was 13.17±0.25mg. Malaxis acuminata sprouts in first week of June onwards, flowering commenced second week of June and continued upto second week of July. Fruits start developing during August, ripening during October and thereafter the plants become ready for perennation. Total ash content 4.75±0.01%, acid insoluble ash content 0.40±0.03%, acid soluble ash 4.35±0.04% and sulphated ash value 4.82±0.03% was obtained for rhizomes of Malaxis acuminata. The extractive value was lowest in petroleum ether solvent, followed by methanol and highest in water (19.50%). Propagation studies indicates that plants of Malaxis acuminata can be efficiently raised through rhizomes and pseudobulbs and size of planting material has direct impact on growth and yield of resultant plants. The treatments of rhizomes and pseudobulbs with GA3 (250ppm to 1000ppm) has no positive impact on growth and yield parameters.ThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE OF MULTIPURPOSE TREE SPECIES (MPT’s) AND GRASSES UNDER DIFFERENT SOIL WORKING TECHNIQUES IN DEGRADED LANDS(2013) RANJEET, SINGH; PANT, K.S.ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Performance of Multipurpose Tree Species (MPT’s) and grasses under different soil working techniques in degraded lands” was carried out at Lambidhar near University Farmer’s Hostel, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) during the year 2012-2013.with the objectives to study the performance of MPT’s and grasses under different soil working techniques, to study the runoff, soil and nutrient losses under different soil working techniques. The present study revealed that continuous contour was the most suitable soil working technique for MPT’s and grasses out of all three soil working techniques used. The survival percentage, plant height, collar diameter, above ground biomass, total biomass, and root weight, was found to be better in continuous contour for both the multipurpose tree species. Continuous contour also proved to be most effective in relation to performance of grasses. It resulted into higher survival (%), maximum number of tillers and maximum tillers’ length plant-1 for both the grass species. While other soil working techniques viz. Small ridgeditch and pit planting showed poor performance in slopy degraded land as compared to continuous contour. The runoff, soil and nutrient losses were reduced under continuous contour in comparison to other two techniques.