REGENERATION AND PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF HARAR (Terminalia chebula RETZ.)
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Date
2020-12
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NAUNI,UHF
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Harar is called as “King of medicines” due to its miraculous medicinal properties. The fruit of Harar is in
high demand with good market price however, natural regeneration is very meager and data on fruit production
potential of different sized Harar trees is not available and thus, farmers are exploited by the traders. The present
studies entitled “Regeneration and Production potential of Harar (Terminalia chebula Retz.)” have been carried
out with focus on assessment of natural regeneration status, phytosociology of natural Harar plantations,
enhancement of regeneration in forest and estimation of fruit production potential as well as economic returns from
natural and manmade plantations. The studies were conducted in five natural populations of Harar (Naraina, Kothi,
Pahlu, Makar and Uled) and manmade plantation at Neri-II farm of College of Horticulture and Forestry in district
Hamirpur, HP. In total, nine regenerates were found in the natural populations of Harar. However, the maximum
number of established regenerates (four) was found in Pahlu population followed by three in Kothi and only two in
Makar population. Five quadrats of size, 20 m × 20 m (400 m2) in each natural population were laid randomly to
study phytosociology of tree species and four sub-quadrats of size, 2 m × 2 m (4 m2) were further laid in each
quadrat to study shrubs. Among trees, Harar was found the dominant species in Uled, Pahlu, Naraina, Makar and
Kothi populations with IVI of 128.64, 128.40, 124.48, 119.72 and 112.31, respectively. Among shrubs, Murraya
koenigii was dominant species in Pahlu, Uled, Makar, Kothi and Naraina with IVI values of 188.81, 162.97, 152.56,
139.66 and 133.00, respectively. In natural Harar forest, P3 (Mechanical breaking of seed coat) outperformed all
other pre-treatments whereas B2 (Raking + FYM @ 2 kg per square meter) was found the best among seed bed
preparations with respect to germination of Harar. July was found the best time for sowing of Harar. Sowing of
kernel after extraction from endocarp during July directly in a seed bed (B2) prepared in the natural forest of Harar
resulted in highest germination which can help in maintaining eroding genetic base of natural Harar populations. In
nursery, sowing of seed kernel in July gave maximum germination and growth of Harar seedlings. The soil texture
and pH in the natural forest of Harar were found sandy loam and acidic to neutral, respectively. Moisture content
was found higher inside the forest as compared to that outside the forest. Available nitrogen content was found
higher inside the forest whereas, available phosphorus and available potassium contents registered higher outside
the natural Harar forest. Among micro-nutrients, iron and manganese contents were found more under natural Harar
forest whereas, copper and zinc were recorded higher outside the forest. The landraces Pahlu and Kallar, registered
highest fresh and dry weight of the fruit and pulp. With regard to fruit size parameters, Kallar and Pahlu
outperformed all the improved landraces. In natural forest of Harar, diameter class V (>80 cm) trees gave maximum
fruit yield. Whereas, among different landraces, Tamber registered the highest fruit yield. Gross returns of Rs. 6500
per tree were obtained under Tamber landrace in comparison to just Rs. 655 per tree in local Harar. Economic
analysis of cultivation of grafted Harar revealed a Benefit: Cost ratio of 2.93 which indicated that grafted Harar
cultivation is highly economical in Hamirpur (HP). The improved landraces of Harar gave higher yield with quality
fruit and should be given priority in plantations to harness maximum returns per unit area under Hamirpur
environmental conditions and to increase the income of Harar growers