A. S. Gill , B. Lal

Abstract

Agroforesty is an inter disciplinary, multi-sector approach of land use. Its prime objective is over all optimization and to protect the environment and maintain the ecological integrity. Agroforestry is primarily the technology of using perennial vegetation in combination with seasonal or perennial field crop, fodder, or other crops of economic value in agriculture. In the developed agroforestry systems, there are three components i.e. the woody perennials, the agricultural crops and the animals. However, in all the agroforestry systems the presence of the tree component is must and it plays the dominant roles-the trees have two major roles-the productive role (fuel, fodder, food, fruit and fertilizer) and the service roles (soil and moisture conservation, wind break, shelter belts, shade, etc.). Trees have established themselves as insurance against natul'al disasters like environmental pollution, floods and droughts. Agroforestry also extends greater- diversity for wildlife and landscape improvement. Development activities of agroforestry leads to control of erosion either through barrier approach or by cover approach, maintenance of soil fertility by way of organic matter maintenance, nitrogen fixation, nutrient cycling and augmentation of nutrient uptake i.e. trees associated mycorrhizal system. However, in depth studies are needed over a range of environmental conditions for improving soil fertility and reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers. Incorporation of multipurpose tree species with crop can also enhance ground recharge. The paper deals in greater length, the role of agroforestry in control of natural disasters, protection of environment and enhancement of development activities.

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A. S. Gill , B. Lal

Abstract

Land and water are the two most important bioresources which are crucial life supporting elements and hence their management and preservation is of atmost importance. The present paper is an attempt to highlight the recent developments in agroforestry systems for rainfed black soils. Natural vegetation in black soils are dominated by tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorny forests with fairly dense growth of grasses. Hence, these soils are most suited for rainfed agroforestry systems. However, the main concern under rainfed black soils are that the soil remains water logged due to poor sub-soils drainage. Therefore, drainage system should be installed for successful agriculture/agroforestry systems. The technique, to be followed for successful agroforestry in black soils primarily rest over site and soil conditions, species to be selected and its purpose. Management of rainfed black soils including excess water stagnation during the rainy season is the major prevention one has to adopt for successful agroforestry systems. Acacia based agroforestry system is the most dominating practice suitable for rainfed black soils. Teak, Mango, Shisham, Albizias, Neem are few important tree species for the region.

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S. K. Purkayastha , B. Lal

Abstract

The plant remains excavated from the Neolithic site Burzahom (circa 1535 B.C. to circa 2375 B.C.) is Kashmir showed that the "burnt material of ceiling" consisted mostly charred twigs of Parrotiopsis and Prunus. The bark Hakes found in them probably belong to Prunus sp. The plant remains also include a number of samples of deteriorated wood samples of Myricaria sp. which probably date back to 4th century A.D. There is no evidence to support the view that the area abounded in birch (Betula sp.) as the name of the place would indicate.

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