Informatics Publishing Limited

R. K. Thakur

Abstract

The efficacy of the insecticide, Actara 25 WSG in comparison to Endosulfan 35 EC and Chlorpyriphos 20 EC was evaluated in the laboratory. Wooden blocks of Mango (Mangifera india) (2 x 2 x 2cm) were impregnated with different concentrations of the three insecticides: Actara 25 WSG (0.0125%, 0.0187%, 0.025%, 0.05%), Chlorpyriphos 20 EC (0.12%), Endosulfan 35 EC (0.20%) and exposed to carton nest termite, Microcerotermes beesoni for 60 days. On the basis of the weight loss in wooden blocks due to feeding of termites, Endosulfan 35 EC was found to be most effective, followed by Chlorpyriphos 20 EC and Actara 25 WSG respectively.

Keywords

Actara - 25 WSG, Endosulfan 35 EC, Chlorpyriphos 20 EC, Termites, Insecticides,
Mangifera indica

Full Text

     

R. K. Thakur

Abstract

Twenty species of termites belonging to three families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) and ten genera (Neotermes, Bifiditermes, Heterotermes, Coptotermes, Speculitermes, Eremotermes, Microcerotermes, Odontotermes, Microtermes and Trinervitermes) are reported here from Haryana. Nine termite species (Neotermes fletcheri, Coptotermes heimi, Speculitermes cyclops, Eremotermes paradoxalis, Odontotermes assumuthi, Odontotermes indicus, Odontotermes redemani, Odontotermes wallonensis and Trinervitermes biformis) are being reported for the first time from Haryana.

Full Text

     

R. K. Thakur , N. Hooda , V. Jeeva

Abstract

Methane has been considered to be an important greenhouse gas (GHG) contributing significantly to global warming. Termites have been proved to be a most prominent source of abiogenic methane emission, though considerable uncertainty exists regarding the true estimates of methane emission. Significant studies are available on diversity, social structure, physiology and ecology, still termites as source of methane contributing to the sources of atmospheric greenhouse gas is yet to be explored in India. An attempt has been made to focus the importance of termites and their global contribution in GHG and need for detailed study in India for abatement oft~rmites to reduce the GHG emission from termite source, as termites also to some extent contribute to land degradation and have serious implications for desertification.

Full Text

     

R. K. Thakur , Vivek Tyagi , Sachin Kumar

Abstract

Fourty species of termites belonging to four families (Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Stylotermitidae and Termitidae) and 13 genera (Neotermes, Coptotermes, Stylotermes, Speculitermes, Euhamitermes, Microcerotermes, Angulitermes, Dicuspiditermes, Pericapritermes, Odontotermes, Microtermes and Nasutitermes) are reported here from Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Eleven species are reported first time from Garhwal as new distributional records : Stylotermes faveolus (Chatterjee and Thakur); Speculitermes sinhalensis Roonwal and Sen-Sarma; Microcerotermes cameroni Snyder; Angulitermes tilaki Roonwal and Chhotani; Dicuspiditermes obtusus (Silvestri); Odontotermes bellahunisensis Holmgren and Holmgren; O. brunneus (Hagen); O. indicus Thakur; O. latiguloides Roonwal and Verma; O. redemani (Wasmann); O. wallonensis (Wasmann).

Keywords

Termites, New Records, Uttarakhand, Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, Stylotermitidae and Termitidae

Full Text

     

R. K. Thakur

Abstract

Tennites cause heavy loss to agricultural crops, pastures, forest nurseries and young plantations, and are thus considered as great threat to the developmental programmes in the arid zones. Observations were made on the tennite problems in arid areas ofGujarat, Punjab, Haryana and some parts of Rajasthan during 1979-85 and 1988-89. Anacanthotermes macrocephalus, Coptotermes heimi. Odontotermes obesus and Microtermes obesi were recorded as serious pests of agriculture, forestry and horticulture, and Heterotermes indicola causes extensive damage to wood work in buildings. Pest status of these tennites in arid zones is discussed.

Full Text

     

R. K. Thakur

Abstract

Altogether 41 species are known from the Thar desert, distributed over five families and 14 genera, viz., Family Kalotermitidae: Incisitermes (1 sp.); Family Hodotermltidae: Anacanthotermes (lap.); Family Rhinotermitidae:Psammotermes (1 sp.), Heterotermes (1 sp.), Coptotermes (1 sp.); Family Macrotermitidae: Odontotermes (17 spp.). Microtermes (3 spp.); family Termitidae: Speculitermes (1 sp.), Amitermes (1 sp.), Synhamitermes (1 sp.), Eremotermes (3 spp.), Microcerotermes (8 spp.),Angulitermes (1 sp.), and Trinervitermes (1 sp.). In the light of taxonomic composition. Zoogeography and endemism have been discussed. The termite fauna of Thar desert is overwhelmingly Oriental (40 species), with only a small fraction of Palaearctic origin (1 species). Eight species are endemic to Thar desert, 4 species being confined to Rajasthan portion. 3 species to Gujarat portion whereas 1 species is available in desert areas of both these states.With respect to the ecological factors, such as rainfall, temperature humidity, vegetation and soil types, their relationship with the abundance, distribution and dispersal of termites have been discussed. Their adaptability to varied ecological conditions are discussed.

Full Text

     

M. L. Thakur , Mukhtar Ahmad , R. K. Thakur

Abstract

The paper provides a comprehensive review of the Lantana problem in India and its possible management through promising biological control agents and some other viable options. The weed is reported to support well over 400 indigenous insect species, but except for a few species, all are only casual visitors. To augment the indigenous enemy complex as many as seven exotic species have been introduced and tried for possible successful control agent. Efficacy of these insects has been discussed in the light of their field successes and failures. It is concluded that application of weedicides and mechanical control alone have not given reasonable success due to larger areas and cost of weedicides and labour involved. Though, biologilcal control has been considered as the most promising proposition, however only an integrated approach through silviculture-cum-biological control, chemical control, mechanical control, people participation and above all development of any technology for its economic utilization, can help in the eradication of this noxious weed.

Full Text

     

M. L. Thakur , R. K. Thakur

Abstract

The degraded arid lands and the mountainous ecosystem of the fast denuding Aravallis coupled with the increasing problems of its inhabitants, demand an immediate attention for development and eco-restoration of the region through afforestation. The task is both complex and herculean and requires evolvement of well coordinated and scientifically sound research programmes. The statement that "Forestry is 90% protection" perhaps holds more true for arid zones. The opening of the Institute for Arid Zone Forestry Research at Jodhpur, though late, is a welcome step. Among all the Forestry Research Institutes in the country, this Institute has an altogether different and difficult task of planning and orienting its research priorities with a view to make the Indian desert a land of greenery with good vegetative cover. The thrust areas of research to be identified by this Institute should tberefore, aim at (i) checking further desertification of the useful land area through proper land use practices and various afforestation programme. With suitable indigenous and exotic species, (ii) preservation and eco-development of Aravallis, (iii) evolving comparatively safe and ecologically acceptable technology for increasing productivity through sound suitable protection regimes and (iv) people's participation in all developmental programmes for overall improvement In the environment and economic prosperity of the region. This paper outlines the major pest problems of arid zone forestry and areas of research priorities in forest protection in the Indian desert.

Full Text

     

Sachin Kumar , R. K. Thakur

Abstract

Twenty-seven species of termites belonging to two families (Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae) under eleven genera (Heterotermes,Coptotermes, Speculitermes, Amitermes, Synhamitermes, Eremotermes, Microcerotermes, Dicuspiditermes, Odontotermes, Microtermes and Trinervitermes) are reported from Punjab. Out of 27 species, fifteen termite species are reported first time from Punjab.

Keywords

Termite, New Record, Punjab, Rhinotermitidae, Termitidae

Full Text

     

A. K. Dwivedi ¹, A. K. Bajpai ¹, H. C. Srivastava ², R. K. Thakur ¹, N. K. Lal ¹

Affiliations
1 KDM Institute of Petroleum Exploration, ONGC Ltd. Dehradun, IN
2 Geo-Science Division, ONGC Ltd. Jorhat, IN

Abstract

The use of seismics to recognise and map stratigraphic traps is becoming an important phase of exploration activity in mature hydrocarbon provinces, world over. The stratigraphic wedge-outs have provided excellent trapping mechanism in some of the giant fields of the world. Surat depression is known to be the main kitchen for the hydrocarbon occurrences in Bombay High and around. Commercial accumulations have been encountered in Mid-Tapti and South Tapti fields of Surat depression. These accumulations are in structural traps. However, further updip, over Saurashtra shelf, the exploratory efforts have remained limited due to the absence of any structural prospects, The present paper deals with the interpretation of close grid seismic data with an objective to: i) identify seismic sequences and the depositional environments and ii) to map stratigraphic trap at levels equivalent to Eocene sands with oil indications encountered in the earlier drilled exploratory wells.

Keywords

Surat Depression, Sequence Analysis, Seismic Markers, Bombay Offshore.

Full Text

     

Amit Kumar ¹, Devraj Singh ², R. K. Thakur ¹

Affiliations
1 Amity School of Applied Sciences, Amity University Haryana, Manesar-122413, IN
2 Amity Institute of Applied Sciences, Amity University, Sector-125, Noida-201313, IN

Abstract

The ultrasonic attenuation due to phonon-phonon interaction have been computed along <100>, <110> and <111> directions at room temperature. For the evaluation of attenuation, we have also evaluated higher order elastic constant, ultrasonic velocity and acoustic coupling constant. The Coulomb and Born-Mayer potential has been applied to find out the higher order elastic constants in the temperature range 0-300K. Some mechanical constant were also computed for predicting for futuristic performance of the chosen materials. The behaviour of ultrasonic attenuation has been considered in correlated with other thermo-physical properties of thorium monopnictides.

Keywords

Thorium Monopnictides, Elastic Properties, Ultrasonic Properties.

Full Text