Informatics Publishing Limited

J. N. Singh

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the hydro-edaphic properties and their mutual interaction in the woodland habitat of NBR - Kerala and the ameliorative role of the elements of genus Ficus and other taxa in the in-situ environment of the area. It is held from the results that edaphic factors contain sufficient energy to hold the vegetation / flora of the region in the present form. However, it is a declined status in comparison to 1982 values. Due to presence of appropriate quantum of energy materials in the soils systems, their other related properties like soil-proteins, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium, water holding capacity, porosity, etc. are excellent and system is quite balanced at present. The equally potent agent i.e. waters of the region are quite bereft of dissolved minerals in their per unit volume but totally free of alkali hazards. However, the soil-water interaction is a matter of concern for the region. The chemically dilute waters eat up the mineral riches of the soils and mineral transfer from edaphic media to aqua media is directly proportional to the degree of dilution and periodic length of submergence. Besides, the interactions further create a phenomenal change in the pH environment of edaphic media and strain the system to salt imbalance in the process. In presence of prevalent biotic and abiotic factors of the region the role of the elements of genus Ficus particularly their ischolar_main systems and leaf litter on soil conditions along with their chief associates observed to be very positive in keeping the system viable and sustainable.

Keywords

Genus Ficus (Moraceae), Hydro-edaphic Properties, Woodland Habitat, Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve, Kerala

Full Text

     

J. N. Singh , S. P. Chaturvedi

Abstract

The present investigation deals with natural chemical reserves and physical characteristics of leaf litter of 35 dominant tree species of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and efficacious impact of leaf litter of a few selected species on physico-chemical properties of sodic soil. Carbon contents of the litter ranged between 34.3% and 47.8% and nitrogen 1.64% and 3.58%. The ash content varied from 2.8% to 29.2% and phosphorus 0.41% to 0.846%. The leaf litter of almost all the species showed the dominance of divalent cations (Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺) over monovalent (Na⁺ and K⁺). Results further illustrated that the leaf litter of Moraceae family is characterized by highest donor of element calcium. Besides, these leaf litters showed their excellent water holding capacity, which ranged in between 378.4% and 699.5%. Results of leaf litter impact of a few selected species on sodic soil led to a clue that leaf litter with high values of energy content and phosphorus concentration were more effective in ameliorating sodic soil. The judicious application of forest tree leaf litter, which aid in bringing the abnormal condition of the soils to the normal level may be used as a device of treasure of lost minerals to revamp the nutrient deficient terrestrial media as a biological tool, possessing an extraordinary minerals bearing potential.

Keywords

Mineral Content, Tree Leaf Litter, Sodic Soil, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Full Text

     

J. N. Singh

Abstract

The present investigation deals with edaphic characteristics of woodland habitat of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and their relationship with its flora. It is concluded from the results that majority of the soil types of the habitat possess high proportion of sands in their mechanical composition. Soils as a whole are acidic in reaction , poor in energy materials , available nitrogen and phosphorus , poor to moderate in water holding capacity , but highly conducive in porosity. It is further elucidated that soils contain high quantum of silica (93.2 percent) an inert element and against this element the integrating agents like energy materials (organic) and sesquioxides , ironoxide and liming materials (inorganic) are relatively low. The habitat receives maximum injury/damage from its jhum. The commencement of the jhum causes terrestrial media to lose their acquired characteristics rapidly and leave the floral vegetations exposed to interact directly with soils inherent characteristics , which have been observed to be un conducive for their proper growth and development. Soils mechanical and physical characteristics are mainly responsible for the plant species distribution within the biosphere reserve than their chemical characteristics.

Full Text

     

J. N. Singh , S. P. Chaturvedi

Abstract

The study was aimed at to investigate the hydro-edaphic properties of Woodland habitat of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR) and their possible relationship with its flora. Mechanically, the soils within two states are quite sound and are capable to support the taxa of mighty dimension and lofty height. There are six textural classes of soils in Tamil Nadu - NBR and seven in Karnataka. Due to high presence of clays contents in the majority of the soil types within NBR - Tamilnadu make the soil texturally superior over their counterpart in Karnataka. Data on physico-chemical characteristics of the soil irrespective of state demonstrate the superiority of their acquired characteristics over inherent. The inherent characteristics of the soil in both states of NBR are heavily loaded with silica, sesquioxides and iron oxides which are not congenial to the proper growth and development of flora of the area. It is further illustrated that one delicate but stable equilibrium is functioning among soilvegetation and climate of the region, which is remarkably tilted towards degradation in both states. Soils as whole within two states are feebly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction, possess sufficient reserve of energy materials within Tamil Nadu, but in Karnataka, they are noticeably bereft. Their other physico-chemical characteristics such as water holding capacity, porosity, available nitrogen, phosphorus and cation exchange capacity are relatively superior in Tamil Nadu than Karnataka. The waters of Tamil Nadu are categorized as C₁ S₁ class, whereas, water of Karnataka come under C₂ S₁ category and as such they have direct bearing on flora and fauna of the area.

Keywords

Hydro-edaphic Properties, Woodland Habitat, Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka

Full Text

     

J. N. Singh , S. P. Chaturvedi

Abstract

The present study was aimed at to investigate the hydro-edaphic properties of Woodland habitat of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR)-Kerela and their possible relationship with its flora. Results revealed that hydro-edaphic properties of NBR Kerela are divergent in nature and, together, they are capable to hold the vegetation of the region in present form. NBR- Kerala- portion is only core area, which possesses the elements of rain-forest. Mechanically, the soils within NBR- Kerala are quite sound and capable to support the taxa of mighty dimension and lofty height. There are seven textural classes of soils. Data on physico-chemical characteristics of the soil of NBR - Kerela demonstrate the superiority of their acquired characteristics over inherent. It is further illustrated that one delicate but stable equilibrium is functioning among soil-vegetation and climate of the region, which is intact in Kerala - NBR. Soils as whole are feebly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction, possess sufficient reserve of energy materials. Their other physico-chemical characteristics such as water holding capacity, porosity, available nitrogen, phosphorus and cation exchange capacity are relatively superior. The water regimes of NBR- Kerela are divergent in their chemical characteristics / composition. It is categorized as C₁ S₁ class and as such have direct bearing on flora and fauna of the area. It is finally concluded that soil's physico-mechanical characteristics along with water availability are more responsible for floristic diversity than their chemical characteristics within biosphere reserve.

Keywords

Hydro-edaphic Properties, Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, Woodland Habitate, Physico-chemical Properties

Full Text

     

J. N. Singh ¹, M. K. Ghosh ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, IN

Abstract

The eco-pedon system of the protected premises of the Indian Botanic Garden, located along the river Hooghly in the lower gangetic plain in the district of Howrah, has been studied with a conservational point of view to understand the indiscernible phenomenon of the impact of the river water on the garden eco-pedo-chemical characteristics often submerged due to occasional tidal inundations of the river during the monsoons.

It is experimentally revealed that a chemically dilute river water siphons off the mineral riches of the submerged soil system during flash floods. The intensity of mineral erosion is noted to be directly proportional to the periodic length of submergence of the soil system notwithstanding its natural revamping capacity.

Full Text

   

J. N. Singh ¹, V. Mudgal ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, IN

Abstract

The edaphic conditions of the habitat of Coptis tetla Wall. have been discussed. The soils, where this species grows either under cultivation or in wild are moderately acidic to highly acidic, poor in surface porosity, very rich in silica content and possess insufficient amount of inorganic binding agents. However, the soils in cultivated fields are satisfactory in organic carbon status, water-holding ability and cation exchange capacity but inadequate presence of liming material and temperate climate adversely effect their energy materials. The 3oils at Malenja where this species is growing wild have textural limitation and anthropogenic interference. In the end the paper is concluded with suggestions. Results depict that the reasons for rarity and depletion of this species are not only anthropogenic but also environmental.

Full Text

   

J. N. Singh ¹, M. K. Ghosh ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, IN

Abstract

Nine large lakes out of twenty five occurring in the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah, have been studied for bio-aquatic nature. The Characteristics of stational parameters are discussed. It is held that the disposition so the lakes vis-a-vis temporal changes and the human interferences are responsible factors affecting Proper conservation of these water bodies.

Full Text

   

J. N. Singh ¹, A. R. K. Sastry ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

Full Text

   

J. N. Singh ¹, M. K. Ghosh ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

Full Text

   

J. N. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, IN

Abstract

Under the present investigation, for preserving the Great Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis L.) of religious, tourism and botanical significance,-its ischolar_main environment has thoroughly been investigated which was not yet been explored. From the results it is clear that the entire soil which is supporting nearly 95-98% soil-propischolar_main system is quite low in organic carbon content and consequently resulting into its unfavourable physico-chemical properties. A few important physico-chemical properties have been tabulated and at the end some valuable suggestions are given.

Full Text

   

J. N. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, IN

Abstract

Ecological factors of Edapho-Microbial Nature, Bio-aquatic nature, Chemical nature of Hooghly river waters and their impact on the eco-pedon system of IBG have been analysed and are presented here with the objective to aid in scientific management of this unique Botanic Garden. Emphasis is laid on the seasonal variations in the factors governing the ecology of the garden. The paper is concluded with some suggestions for upkeep of the balanced ecology of Indian Botanic Garden (IBG).

Full Text

   

J. N. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Botanical Survey of India, P. o. Botanic Garden, Howrah - 711 103, IN

Abstract

The present investigation is aimed at to study the incidence of grass species at varied elevations alongwith their hydro-edaphic characteristics in Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu. The results show that grasses exhibit high species diversity and some confine to lower elevation (range 500 m to 1500 m); while others to higher elevation (range 1800 m to 2750m). Some others show no elevation impact (range 850 m to 2750 m). The edaphic characteristics and soil systems associated with the grasses are ecologically balanced at present, barring soil of Mashinaguri grass field, which is highly fragile. The soils irrespective of their location and elevation possess a high pool of energy materials (1.86% to 4.96%), clays (36.8% to 57.8 %) and exhibit good water holding capacity (72.2% to 94.8%). They are feebly to moderately acidic (ph 4.4 to 5.8), moderate to high silica content (65.6% to 85.1%) and with sesqui-oxides producing a low silica/sesqui-oxides ratio. Soil saps are dominated by calcium within cations and bicarbonate within anions. Waters are neutral to feebly alkaline, bereft of charge carrying particles but dominated by calcium ions. The hydro-edaphic chemistry appears quite conductive to the flora and fauna of the area.

Full Text

   

A. K. Singh ¹, J. N. Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Basin Studies Division, K.D.M.I.P.E, ONGC Ltd., Kaulagarh Road, Dehradun - 248195, IN

Abstract

The paper defines the Pre-Tertiary stratigraphy of the Ganga Basin which is concealed beneath the thick cover of Cenozoic sediments. The sub-surface structural configuration is characterised by development of four major depressions, separated by transverse uplifts. Ganga Basin represents two main stages of geological evolution: a pre-collisional (Pre-Tertiary) stage consisting mainly of Proterozoic and Gondwana sediments, and a post-collisional (Tertiary) stage representing the Siwalik molasse. The Pre-Tertiary succession is classified into four mega sequences; three of these representing Precambrian sediments, comprising of Aravalli, Bijawar, Delhi and Vindhyan systems and one megasequence corresponding to Gondwana system in the Pumea Depression.

Keywords

Sequence Stratigraphy, Sedimentology, Ganga Basin.

Full Text

     

J. N. Singh ¹, Rajesh Kumar ¹, Pankaj Kumar ², P. K. Singh ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Plant Breeding, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), IN
2 Pratap Tand, Vaishali, IN
3 M.V.Sc Extension Education, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa (Samastipur), IN

Abstract

Dietary fibres (DF), composed of celluloses, hemicelluloses, pectins, lignins and other non-digestible materials in the food not amenable to the action of alimentary enzymes of human beings, play a multifaceted role in preventing a number of health disorders through their influence in the gastrointestinal tract. Their effectiveness is governed by physical properties such as particle size when ingested, water holding capacity, solubility and viscosity in aqueous phase, affinity to bile acid salts, cationic binding/exchange effect, fermentability in the bowel and chemical identity and proportion of the various constituents. DF undergo very little changes during processing of foods except size reduction.

Full Text