No abstract

Carbon is a critical element that trees accumulate and use to support their structure and sustain physiological processes. Besides being a key element in forest ecosystems, carbon is also essential for sustaining life on a global scale. The study attempted to quantify carbon per cent in different tree components of Cedrus deodara, Fraxinus floribunda and Ulmus wallichiana,an important tree species of Kashmir valley were planted in plantation block of Faculty of Forestry at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar way back in 1992. The soil organic carbon pool under these tree species was also estimated. This information however is poor and fragmented as no published literature is available in this region. Statistical analysis of the data reveals that carbon per cent was significantly higher in Cedrus deodara (45.41%) followed by Fraxinus floribunda (41.36%) and Ulmus wallichiana (40.78%) respectively. Besides the soil attributes like organic carbon and bulk density were also determined and the same were used for preparing the carbon pool inventory. The pooled results revealed that organic carbon was significantly higher in Ulmus wallichiana (2.08%) as compared to Cedrus deodara (1.86%) and Fraxinus floribunda (1.53%). However the bulk density was significantly higher in Fraxinus floribunda (1.26 gcm -3 ) as compared to Cedrus deodara (1.24 gcm -3 ) and Ulmus wallichiana (1.20 gcm -3 ). Moreover the soil organic carbon pool was significantly higher in Ulmus wallichiana (75.04 t ha -1 ) as compared to Cedrus deodara (69.37 t ha -1 ) and Fraxinus floribunda (57.82 t ha -1 ).

:The traditional agroforestry systems have gained wider attention in the international agreements and among academicians and policy makers for their multifunctional role and dynamics of ecosystem services. The multifunctional traditional agroforestry systems support substantial ecosystem services and livelihoods to the rural communities in Kashmir. They are considered to be adaptive to the climate change situations and serve as efficient means to carbon sinks. Due to the remarkable significance of traditional agroforestry systems in the valley ecosystem, environment and livelihood, the systems have been considered as a promising land use pattern in the valley. With climate change rapidly impacting both ecosystems and services in the valley, the sustainability of dynamic traditional agroforestry systems is now facing new challenges and vulnerabilities. Indigenous knowledge on traditional agroforestry is an integral part of the culture and history of the local communities which offer opportunities for sustainable management of resources and support socio-ecological and socio-economic benefits. The indigenous knowledge on agroforestry needs to be further strengthened through research and development to achieve the goals of sustainable development.

Our study on maturity indices of Aesculus indica Colebr. seeds was conducted under temperate Kashmir conditions in 2006. Seed collection was started from 15 July and continued until the maturation of seeds in December. The seeds were harvested fortnightly from identified trees and on each collection date maturity indices, viz. seed color, seed weight, moisture content, seed dimension, specific gravity and germination percentage were recorded. The study revealed that at the time of maturity (Nov.-Dec.) the seed color was a shiny chocolate brown, with a moisture content of 58.37% and a specific gravity of 0.82. Germination was maximum (80%) at its maturity with a maximum seed weight of 52.03 g per seed. We recommend that the seeds should be collected before their natural disposal.

Modern nursery methods of seedling production in different sized root trainers, were compared by raising seedlings of Pinus wallichiana involving costs incurred and benefits received. In order to provide a common basis for the comparisons, the study involved the raising of 1000 seedlings annually on a continuous basis for seven years. A relative economic analysis of raising P. wallichiana seedlings in 300, 150 and 100 cm 3 root trainers was carried out and we estimated that the root trainers of 300 cm 3 capacity recorded the highest total input cost of Rs. 35571 and Rs. 40018 for 1000 seedlings produced annually at discount rates of 12% and 6%. Seedlings raised in 100 cm 3 root trainers recorded the lowest total input cost of Rs. 23390 and Rs. 27737 per 1000 seedlings annually at discount rates of 12% and 6%. Hence, returns per rupee invested in raising seedlings in the 100 cm 3 root trainers accounted for the maximum benefit-cost ratio (i.e., 1.56 and 1.61) at discount rates of 12% and 6%. Thus seedlings raised in 100 cm 3 and 150 cm 3 root trainers were found to be most cost effective when compared with seedlings grown in 300 cm 3 root trainers. The results can be attributed to the larger number of cells per tray (higher growth density) in the 100 and 150 cm 3 root trainers, compared to the number of seedlings in the 300 cm 3 root trainers.