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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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2013 - 201626
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Subject: Forestry × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2013 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    MORPHO-CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT POPULATION OF Podophyllum hexandrum ROYLE
    (2014) SHARMA, ABHISHEK; SHARMA, YASH PAL
    ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “ Morpho-chemical evalution of different population of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle” was carried out in Department of Forest Products, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) during 2010-2013 with the objective 1. Inter and Intra population studies on morphological parameters and 2. Studies on variation in podophyllotoxin in different morphotype/ population. During the present study, ten populations of Podophyllum hexandrum from Himachal Pradesh at altitude ranging from 2050 m to 3636 m amsl were studied. Plants of Podophyllum hexandrum were observed to have different number of leaves/ plant viz single leaf, two leaves, three leaves and four leaves per plant. The plant bearing single leaf were more abundant (48.08 %) as compared to two leaved (35.35 %), three leaved (16.94 %) and four leaved plant (0.20 %). The four leaved plants were observed only at one population at Manali. Considerable morphological variations in the lamina shape of leaf was observed and ten lamina shapes were documented. The lamina shape and number of leaves/ plant of most of the plants was found to vary in successive vegetational cycles when observed at two distinct geographical locations. However, one plant with stable lamina shape and number of leaves/ plant was isolated. Significant variation in morphological characters such as plant height, leaf size, leaf incision depth, no. of roots/ plant, root length, rhizome size, root biomass/ plant, rhizome biomass/ plant and rootstock biomass/ plant was observed in plants of different populations. The podophyllotoxin content in different types of plants of different population ranged from 2.93 % t 6.31 % in roots, 2.22 % to 8.96 % in rhizomes and 2.85 % to 6.95 % in whole underground part i.e. rootstock. However, no correlation between no. of leaves/ plant and podophyllotoxin content in root, rhizome and rootstock was observed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON WOOD CHARACTERISTICS USING Parthenium hysterophorus L. EXTRACT AS A WOOD BIOPRESERVATIVE
    (2013) LALIT, KUMAR; DUTT, BHUPENDER
    ABSTRACT 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.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PROGENY EVALUATION OF OPEN POLLINATED SEEDLING SEED ORCHARD OF Grewia optiva Drummond
    (2015) BHAGTA, SHIKHA; SANKHYAN, H.P.
    ABSTRACT The present investigations entitled “Progeny Evaluation of Open Pollinated Seedling Seed Orchard of Grewia optiva Drummond” were carried out in the Research field and Laboratory of the Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources, College of Forestry, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) during the year 2013-2015, to evaluate various seed and germination parameters, morphometric and fodder quality parameters of 20 best families, which were only in seed bearing stage. The percentage of these proximate fodder analysis viz. crude protein, crude fiber, ash content, ether extract, and nitrogen free extract ranged from 17.35-20.99 per cent, 17.00-21.51 per cent, 10.42-21.50 per cent, 4.21-5.99 per cent and 40.41-50.24 per cent respectively. For seed parameters families SO-6 (Amberkothi), KA-3 (Varal), HA-1(Bharari), KA-2 (Bhalun) excelled as the best one. Genotype I of family KA-3 (Varal) and Genotye I of family SO-12(Kasholi) were found to be best within family. For germination traits families, CH-2 (Shahu), KA-3 (Varal), SO-10 (Jaunaji), HA-2 (Patta Balakhar) exhibited outstanding performance. Genotype I, Genotype II, Genotype III of family HA-2 (Patta Balakhar) were found best. Progenies of family KA-3 (Varal), CH-2 (Shahu), and CH-5 (Rajpura) were found to be best among family and Genotype I of family CH-2 (Shahu), Genotype III of family KA-3 (Varal), Genotype II of family CH-5 (Rajpura) was showed maximum results within family for morphometric parameters. Fodder parameters of the 20 families, S0-6 (Amberkhothi), KA-3 (Varal) and KA-1 (Dharamshala) excelled as the best ones. Genotype II of family KA-1 (Dharamshala), Genotype I of KA-2 (Bhalun), Genotype II of family MA-2 (Bachhwan) were found to be best within family. For mineral nutrients parameter, families S0-2 (Nauni), KA-3 (Varal), KA-2 (Bhalun) and SO-10 (Jaunaji) exhibited outstanding performance. Genotype I of family KA-3 (Varal), Genotype II of family HA-1 (Bharari), Genotype I of family SO-2 (Nauni) were found to be better within family. Families KA-3 (Varal), CH-2 (Shahu), HA-2 (Patta Bhalaker), KA-2 (Bhalun) and SO-10 (Jaunaji) are best families for further breeding program and better for all the above mention trais. Variability estimates, genetic parameters, correlation studies exhibited high variability among all the families. Higher variability estimates were aided by high heritability, which implied that the variations noticed in foliar nutrients in Grewia optiva were genetically controlled, and thus selection of the family for the desired contents may prove to be of immense value for genetic improvement. Correlation studies showed many significant positive and negative values between the different characteristics. Variability studies suggested that variation can be exploited for any breeding programme of Grewia optiva on the basis of its important characteristics to obtain heterotic vigour through hybridization. Improvement in the fodder quality and production of higher quality planting stock is the need of the hour, which can be fulfilled through selection and breeding programmes.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CARBON EMISSION IN FATEHPUR BLOCK OF KANGRA DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (2015) VIKAS, KUMAR; AGGARWAL, R.K.
    ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled ‘Studies on energy consumption and carbon emission in Fatehpur block of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh” during the year 2013-2015 with theaimto study the consumption of various types of fuels in the block and to estimate the carbon emission in the study area has been presented. The energy consumption pattern indicated that the major fuels used were, fuelwood (88.90%), electricity (8.90%), LPG (1.0%), kerosene (1.0%) and dung cake (0.20%). Consumption of fuelwood (90.98%), kerosene (1.22%) and dung cake (0.17%) was highest in BPL families. Consumption of electricity (9.60%) and LPG (1.26%) was highest in APL families. On the basis of monthly income, highest (91.32%) consumption of fuelwood was in low income families whereas the consumption of electricity (11%) and LPG (1.86%) was highest in high income families. On the basis of land holding, the consumption of fuelwood was highest (88.94%) in marginal land holding families and electricity consumption was highest (16.79%) in semi medium land holding families, whereasconsumption ofkerosene(1.19%)and LPG (2.39%) was highest in semi medium land holding. On the basis of family size of the households consumption of fuelwood was highest (91.07%) in big families whereas consumption of electricity (10.72%) and LPG (1.67%) was highest in very big families, consumption of dung cake was highest (1.17%) in small families and kerosene consumption was highest (0.22%) in big families. On the basis of caste, the consumption of fuelwood (90.06%) and dung cake (0.17%) was highest in OBC families, the consumption of electricity (9.21) and LPG (1.16%) was highest in general category families and consumption of kerosene was highest (1.20%) in SC families. The consumption of fuelwood in cooking and heating was (100%) in BPL families and (98.82%) in APL families. Consumption of electricity for lighting was (100%) in all the categories. The study revealed that use of non-conventional energy technologieswasnot found in the block.The study showed that annual consumption in tonnes of coal equivalent in the selected household was fuelwood (932.085), LPG (10.55), kerosene (10.44), electricity (93.41) and dung cake (1.626). The study revealed that total estimated annual consumption in million tonnes coal equivalent of households in the whole Fatehpur development block was fuelwood (98.13), LPG (1.11), kerosene (1.14), electricity (9.83) and dung cake (0.171). Annual consumption in kg of coal equivalent using various fuels in brick kiln was coal (3,20,000), fuelwood (1,32,000), diesel (176) for transportation and electricity (84,000) for lighting purpose. The per capita annual consumption of various energy sources in households in the Fatehpur development block was fuelwood (1.13tonnes), LPG (8.90kg), kerosene (1.81liter), electricity (133.9kWh) and dung cake (5.44kg). The annual CO2 emission from different fuels by the selected households was 1,243.73 tonnes. The estimated CO2emission in tonnes of the households by consumption of various energy resources in the Fatehpur development was 1,30,952.02 per annum. The CO2emission from the brick kiln was 835.82 tonnes per annum.The per capitaCO2 emission in household sector was 1.24 tonnesannually.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON IMPACT OF VEHICULAR EMISSIONS ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF CERTAIN TREE SPECIES OF SOLAN DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (2015) THAKUR, VIBHUTI; VERMA, S.C.
    ABSTRACT The present investigations on “Studies on Impact of Vehicular Emissions on Germination and Seedling Growth of Certain Tree Species of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh” was conducted during 2014-2015 in the Department of Environmental Science, Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. Four sites viz. S1 (NH-22 i.e. highly polluted), S2 (Solan-Arki i.e. moderately polluted), S3 (Solan-Nauni i.e. less polluted) and S4 (Control i.e. un polluted) and four tree species viz. Acacia catechu, Leucaena leucocephala, Grewia optiva and Celtis australis at each site were selected for the study. Maximum seed length (mm) in A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 6.0, 6.90, 7.16 and 8.03 respectively at S4 and maximum seed width ( mm) in A.catechu was 5.75, L. leucocephala (6.41), Grewia optiva (6.41) and C. australis (7.75) at S4. Maximum 100-Seed weight (g) of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 4.95, 6.57, 11.76 and 12.09, and respectively at S4 and minimum was 4.13, 5.55 at S1 and 10.55 and 9.25 at S2 ,respectively. Maximum seed germination of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 89.80%, 87.40 %, 61.46% and 41.50 % respectively at S4 (Control site) and minimum was 72%, 77.12%, 49.60 % and 20.33 % at S1 respectively. Maximum germination energy of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 79.30%, 57.70 %, 32.20 % and 22.20 % ,respectively at S4 and minimum of A.catechu was 50% at S1, L. leucocephala (45.30)% at S2, G. optiva (27.73) % at S1 and C. australis (14.40)% at S2. Maximum germination speed of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 11.0, 4.89, 1.34 and 0.69 respectively at S4 and minimum of A.catechu was 4.43, L. leucocephala (3.08) at S1 and G. optiva (1.02) and C. australis (0.34) at S2 , respectively. Maximum germination value of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 159.40, 79.20, 7.89 and 1.54, respectively and minimum germination value of A.catechu, L. leucocephala and G. optiva was 42.93, 39.87 and 5.44 , respectively at S1 and of C. australis was 0.51 at S2. Maximum root shoot ratio of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 0.43, 0.81, 0.56 and 0.63 , respectively at S4. Maximum seed vigour index-I of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 609.94, 1440.77, 719.30 and 591.90 respectively at S4 and maximum seed vigour index- II of A.catechu, L. leucocephala, G. optiva and C. australis was 4970.40, 5744.80, 3359.40 and 6722.40,respectively at S4. Minimum content (mg/kg) of As, Cd, Ni and Pb in A.catechu was 0.05, 0.00, 0.05, 0.22 at S4 while Cr was 0.70 at S2. In case of L. leucocephala minimum content (mg/kg) of Ni was 0.03, Pb (0.45) at S4 and As and Cd was non-significant while Cr was minimum (0.58) at S3. The content (mg/kg) of As in G. optiva was 0.00, Ni (0.04) at S4 and Pb (0.91) at S3 while Cd and Cr in G. optiva was non-significant. In C. australis, minimum content of As was 0.02, Cd (0.02) and Pb (0.83) at S4. The value of Cr was 0.70 mg/kg in C. australis at S1. The lowest seed damage in A.catechu by B.flavovirens at harvest was 3.32 per cent and after two month (11.67%) at S4 and similarly in L. leucocephala seed damage by Acanthoscelides sp. at harvest was 5.57 per cent and after two months (13.3%) at S4. The maximum seed damage at harvest and after two months of storage in A. catechu by B.flavovirens was 11.83% and 28 % respectively at S1 and in L.leucocephala by Acanthoscelides sp. was 12.07 per cent S1 and 16.67 per cent at S1. Thus, on over all basis, the tree species wise performance in decreasing order were L. leucocephala > A . catechu > C. australis > G. optiva.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CARBON EMISSION IN DHARMPUR BLOCK OF SOLAN DISTRICT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
    (2015) LALIT, KUMARI; AGGARWAL, R.K.
    ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Studies on energy consumption and carbon emission in Dharmpur block of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh” was carried out in Dharmpur block of Solan district. The energy consumption pattern revealed that fuelwood consumption contributed highest (80.43%) proportion of total energy mix followed by electricity (11.55%), kerosene (2.87%), dung cake (2.79%), LPG (2.31%) and diesel (0.08%). The daily energy consumption pattern in kg of coal equivalent for fuelwood, electricity, kerosene, dung cake, LPG and diesel was worked to be as 10.09, 1.45, 0.36, 0.35, 0.29 and 0.01 respectively. The consumption of fuelwood (16.88 kg) per day and dung cake (1.71 kg) per day was high during winter season in selected households, whereas LPG consumption was highest (8.18 kg) per month during summer season. The monthly consumption of fuelwood, kerosene, LPG and electricity per household in the study area was 370 kg, 1.8 liter, 7.35 kg and 62 kWh respectively. Overall monthly energy consumption for cooking in Dharmpur block was worked out to be fuelwood (259.8 kg), kerosene (1.8 liters), electricity (3.81 kWh) and LPG (7.35 kg). The monthly energy consumption of fuelwood (174.6 kg) and dung cake (60.0 kg) for heating was highest in BPL families, whereas energy consumption of fuelwood (90.0 kg) and dung cake (29.1 kg) was lowest in APL families. Use of electricity for heating showed increasing trend with increase in monthly income of families, which was highest (82%) in high income families, whereas no consumption of electricity was found in low monthly income families. Electricity use for lighting was 100 per cent in Dharmpur block. Study revealed that as land holding of families increased electricity consumption for agriculture also increased. The monthly electricity consumption for agriculture was found highest (15 kWh) in medium land holding families and lowest (2.33 kWh) in families having marginal land holding. The use of non conventional energy technologies such as solar water heaters were found in APL families (35.7%) only. However, 16.4 per cent of selected households have biogas plants which were non functional. For industrial units, electricity use was found to be prominent (99.9%) than diesel (0.1%). The per capita annual energy consumption of electricity was estimated to be 160 kWh, kerosene (1.29 liters), dung cake (0.07 tonnes) and fuelwood (0.76 tonnes). Annual CO2 emission from households in Dharmpur block was estimated as 86,603 tonnes out of which 74,275 tonnes (80.64%) was emitted from the fuelwood consumption only. The total emissions from Industries were 6,825 tonnes of CO2 annually. The annual per capita energy consumption from all sources for Dharmpur block was estimated to be 12.5 tonnes of coal equivalent. The per capita CO2 emission from different energy sources in Dharmpur block was 1.1 tonnes
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Salix alba L. SEEDLINGS
    (2015) KANWAR, KIRAN; BHARDWAJ, S.K.
    ABSTRACT The investigation entitled “Effect of heavy metals on morphological and biochemical characteristics of Salix alba L. seedlings” was carried out at the Research Farm of Department of Environmental Science of College of Forestry, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh during 2014- 2015. In order to study the effect of heavy metals viz. Cd and Hg on morphological and biochemical parameters and their uptake in Salix alba seedlings, pot experiment was conducted on one-year-old cuttings. Experiment was laid out by imposing 16 treatments composed of various combinations of graded levels of Cd and Hg at 0, 5, 10 and 20ppm. The treatments were replicated four times in Completely Randomized Design.The observations on morphological, biochemical parameters, buildup of Cd and Hg in soil and their uptake in Salix alba seedlings were recorded. The graded doses of Cd and Hg and their interaction exerted significant influence on the morphological parameters like number of leaves, branches, stem diameter, root- shoot ratio, root dry weight and total biomass. Number of branches reduced in the order of 20 ppm> 10 ppm> 5 ppm of Cd levels. The effect of Cd in reducing seedling height followed the order 20ppm (23.6%) > 10ppm(18.4%)> 5 ppm (6%). Stem diameter decreased with increase in heavy metal doses in the order 20 ppm> 10 ppm> 5ppm. There was an increase in root dry weight and total dry biomass uptill 10 ppm Cd dose but at higher levels of 20 ppm these parameters decreased slightly. Root-shoot ratio varied significantly between 0.29-0.70. Biochemical parameters like chlorophyll and total sugar content in leaves decreased with increasing level of Cd and Hg. Leaf phenol content was in the range of 12.91 to 16.78 mg g-1 under Cd and 13.39 to 16.45 mg g-1 under Hg and increased with increasing level of Cd and Hg. The soil microbial activity under the graded doses of Cd and Hg was in the range of 96.59 to 63.06 mg kg-1 under Cd and 78.94 to 73.24 mg kg-1 for Hg and followed a decreasing trend with increasing levels. The leaf Cd and Hg content range from 0.15 to 0.49 mg kg-1 to 0.09 to 0.29 mg kg-1, respectively. The soil buildup of Cd and Hg was in the range of 0.65 to 7.62 mg kg-1 and 0.87 to 12.75 mg kg-1 respectively which was higher than the permissible limits. Cd and Hg in soil exhibited positive significant correlation with their concentration in leaves of Salix alba seedlings. Increase in Hg and Cd uptake was observed with increase in heavy metal concentration with values ranging between 0.019 – 0.054 mg/plant and 0.010- 0.046 mg/plant for Cd and Hg respectively. Salix alba seedlings tended to survive uptil 20 ppm Cd and Hg concentration and had a good ability of accumulating these metals.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF HEAVY METALS ON MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Populus deltoides SEEDLINGS
    (2015) PHIMU, K.RAKUYIO; THAKUR, MEENA
    ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Effect of heavy metals on morphological and biochemical characteristics of Populus deltoides seedlings” was carried out at the Research Farm of Department of Environmental Science of College of Forestry, Dr Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh during 2014- 2015. The studies were completed with two experiments: experiment 1 comprised of 16 treatments, T1(Cd0Hg0), T2(Cd0Hg5), T3(Cd0Hg10), T4(Cd0Hg20), T5(Cd5Hg0), T6(Cd5Hg5), T7(Cd5Hg10), T8(Cd5Hg20), T9(Cd10Hg0), T10(Cd10Hg5), T11(Cd10Hg10), T12(Cd10Hg20), T13(Cd20Hg0), T14(Cd20Hg5), T15(Cd20Hg10) and T16(Cd20Hg20), whereas, impact of heavy metals on morphological, biochemical parameters of P. deltoides seedlings, soil properties and uptake of Cd and Hg in P. deltoides seedlings was studied. Whereas, experiment 2 , comprised of 7 treatments having higher doses of the heavy metals viz., T1(Cd0Hg0), T2(Cd0Hg10), T3(Cd0Hg20), T4(Cd10Hg0), T5(Cd10Hg10), T6(Cd20Hg0) and T7(Cd20Hg20) in which impact of soil application of graded doses of Cd and Hg in white grub protein content and heavy metal accumulation was studied. Both the set of experiments were laid in four replications in CRD. Cadmium (Cd) had significant influence on all the morphological parameters, whereas, mercury (Hg) significantly influenced seedling height, root dry weight and total dry biomass and had no significant impact on number of leaves, collar diameter and leaf area of P. deltoides. The interaction effect of the two metals was non-significant for all the morphological parameters, though the characteristics had decreasing trend with increasing concentration of graded doses in soil. Highest level of Cd and Hg (20 ppm) had lowest seedling height of 2.02 and 2.25 m and lowest number of leaves i.e. 57.19 and 53.25, respectively. Collar diameter decreased from 1.71-1.45 cm and 1.63-1.50 cm for Cd and Hg, respectively. Root dry weight and total dry biomass were significantly influenced by Cd and Hg which varied from 35.97-45.66 gm (Cd) and 39.03-45.69 gm (Hg) and 100.74-130.50 gm(Cd) and 106.50-123.98 gm (Hg), respectively. Cd had significant effect on all the biochemical parameters, Hg had significant effect on chlorophyll and total soluble sugar content. The phenol content increased from 1.49-5.05 mg g-1 with increase concentration of Cd and Hg in combination. Soil parameters viz,. pH, EC were not influenced significantly whereas, Cd affected the soil microbial biomass which decreased to 64.78 (Cd 20 ppm) from 92.28 mg kg-1 (Cd 0 ppm). Accumulation of Cd and Hg in soils varied from 0.07-7.78 mg g-1 (Cd) and 1.35-13.19 mg g-1 (Hg). Uptake in whole plant varied from 0.02-0.055 and 0.016-0.120 mg/plant for Cd and Hg, respectively. There was decrease in protein content of white grub (B. coriaceae) with increasing Cd and Hg concentration and increase in Cd and Hg concentrates in the body of white grubs. The observed ability of P. deltoides to continue growth even at higher doses of Cd and Hg and the ability to accumulate metals in its tissues demonstrated its resistance to moderate to high levels of metals. The present study widens the scope for studying the effect of higher concentration of heavy metals beyond 20 ppm in future to confirm the phytoremediation ability of this species.