Castanopsis Indica Research Articles

Digestibility of Ficus roxburghii, Castanopsis indica and Ficus cunia on Growing Buffalo from Western Hills of Nepal

Nine buffalo calves were subjected to three fodder tree species namely; Nimaro (Ficus roxburghii), Dhalne Katus (Castanopsis indica) and Rai Khanyu (Ficus cunia) for digestibility trial during November 27 and December 3, 2005 in Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lumle, Kaski, Nepal. Animals were kept 7 days for adaptation for these fodders. Weighed amount of fodder tree leaves including twigs and small branches were fed two times a day and observation on fodder offered, refused and faeces voided were recorded daily. Chemical composition of fresh matter and faeces voided were carried out for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). The mean DM content and their dry matter digestibility (DMD) of these three fodder tree species were found 27.86, 46.02, 34.72, 73.21, 65.93 and 71.28 percent, respectively. Strong negative correlations (r=-0.75 to –0.78; p<0.05) were observed between Ca and CP with fiber fraction (NDF and ADF). A weak correlation was also observed between P and other constituents with respect to digestibility. From the results, if there could be provision of low fiber content in dry season, the three main nutrients (Ca, P and CP) may easily be absorbed by the animals.Nepal Agric. Res. J. Vol. 9, 2009, pp. 94-98DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v9i0.11646

PLANT WATER RELATIONS AND PHENOLOGICAL SHIFTS IN RESPONSE TO DROUGHT IN CASTANOPSIS INDICA AT PHULCHOWKI HILL, KATHMANDU, NEPAL

In the central Himalaya, plants are subjected to a prolonged dry period , thus developing moisture stress. Phenomorphological variations such as leaf expansion and flowering are affected by the interaction between water availability, stem water storage, wood moisture percentage, wood density and wood water. Sensitivity to wate r stress and phenological processes such as leaf emergence, senescence, flowering, fruiting and their relationship with wood water properties, starch percentage content, specific leaf mass (SLM), nitrogen content in leaves was studied in one Himalayan ever green tree species, Castanopsis indica . Wood moisture, reserved starch percentage and SLM had a strong effect on phenological activities. They increased during the vegetative bud break and leaf emergence and decreased during senescence. Similarly leaf nitr ogen in the studied species was at the crest of concentration during leaf initiation then declined, one in expanded leaves as the concentration became diluted by increasing cell wall material, and the other at the time of senescence by resorption.

CNS depressant activity of Castanopsis indica leaves

Castanopsis indica (Roxb. ex Lindl.) A.DC. (Fagaceae) is commonly known as ‘Dhalne katus’ and ‘Indian chestnut tree’, found throughout the Himalayan region. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of methanol extract of C. indica leaves (MECI) on Central Nervous System using a number of neuropharmacological experimental models in Swiss albino mice. The treatment with MECI at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p. caused: signs of central nervous system depressant action confirmed by significant inhibitory effect on acetic acid induced writhing as compared with acetic acid control group indicate an analgesic effect. Anticonvulsant activity was seen as there was delays in the onset of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induce convulsion as well as decrease in its mortality rate. The MECI produced a dose-dependent reduction of the onset and potentiated duration of pentobarbitone-induced hypnosis, reduction of locomotor and muscle relaxant activities determining by using actophotometer and rotarod tests. MECI in a dose-dependent manner significantly reduced the immobility time of mice in both forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). These results suggest that the MECI has an analgesic effect, behave as a potential anticonvulsant and central nervous system depressant action.

Fuelwood Characteristics of Some Firewood Trees and Shrubs of Eastern Himalaya, India

Quantitative analysis of 19 indigenous fuelwood species of Eastern Himalaya, India was carried out to identify trees with potential for firewood production. A fuelwood value index was the criteria for screening of the species and defined as the calorific value X density/ash content. Over-all rank sum index of the major firewood species was also assessed on the basis of firewood characteristics, fuelwood production, and availability in the region. The results showed that Castanopsis indica, Phoebe attenuata, Macropanax undulatum, Ixonanthes khasiana, Morus laevigata, Caryota urens, Lithocarpus elegans, and Litsea laeta are the most preferred firewood species.

Leaf litter decomposition of dominant tree species of Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India

Rates of weight loss and nutrient (N and P) release patterns were studied in the leaf litter of the dominant tree species (Ailanthus grandis, Altingia excelsa, Castanopsis indica, Duabanga sonneriatioides, Dysoxylum binectariferum, Mesua ferrea, Shorea assamica, Taluma hodgsonii, Terminalia myriocarpa and Vatica lancefolia) of a tropical wet evergreen forest of northeast India. Nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization rate and decay pattern varied significantly from species to species. In general, the decay pattern, characterized by using a composite polynomial regression equation, exhibited three distinct phases of decay during litter decomposition—an initial slow decay phase (0.063% weight loss day−1), followed by a rapid decay phase (0.494% weight loss day−1) and a final slow decay phase (0.136% weight loss day−1). The initial chemical composition of the litter affected decomposition rates and patterns. Species like D. sonneriatoides, D. binectariferum, and T. hodgsonii with higher N and P content, lower carbon and lignin content, and lower C:N ratio and lignin:N ratio exhibited relatively faster decomposition rates than the other species, for example M. ferrea, C. indica and A. grandis. A slow decay rate was recorded for species such as M. ferrea, C. indica, and A. grandis. The initial N and P content of litter showed significant positive correlations with decay rates. Carbon and lignin content, lignin:N, and C:N showed significant negative correlations with decay rates. Soil total N and P, and rainfall, soil temperature, and soil moisture had positive correlations with decay rates. The rapid decomposition rates observed in comparison with other different forest litter decay rates confirm that tropical wet evergreen forest species are characterized by faster decomposition rates, indicating a faster rate of organic matter turnover and rapid nutrient cycling.

Food habits of barking deer ( Muntiacus muntjac ) in the middle hills of Nepal

The food habits of the barking deer (Muntiacus muntjac) were studied in 2005, analysing fresh pellets collected in spring (N=247) and the rainy season (N=151). Fresh pellet groups were sampled along line transects and analysed using microhistological techniques. Results were expressed in terms of percentage of occurrence (O%) and per cent volume (V%). Muntjac diet included 22 plant species, most of them belonging to browse. In spring, grasses (O%=55.36%; V%=37.5) dominated muntjac diet, whilst in the rainy season browse plants prevailed (O%=48.44%; V%=51.69). Lichens were consumed only in the rainy season. Significant seasonal differences were recorded in the frequency of consumption of the different food items, but not in terms of volume. Imperata cylindrica, Smilax aspera, Moghania strobilifera and Arundinaria falcata were major food items in both seasons. Fruits of Prunus cerasoides, Berberis asiatica and Rubus ellipticus and bark of Pinus roxburghii and Castanopsis indica were also taken in significant amounts. No animal remains were recorded in the diet. Our results suggest that muntjacs are mixed feeders.

Digestibility of Ficus roxburghii,Castanopsis indica and Ficus cunia on growing buffalo from Western Hills of Nepal

Nine buffalo calves were subjected to three fodder tree species namely; Ficus roxburghii (Nimaro), Castanopsis indica (Dhalne Katus) and Ficus cunia (Rai Khanyu) for digestibility trial during November 27 to December 3, 2005 in Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Lumle, Kaski Nepal. Animals were kept 7 days for adaptation for these fodders. Weighed amount of fodder tree leaves including twigs and small branches were fed two times a day and observation on fodder offered, refused and faeces voided were recorded daily. Chemical composition of fresh matter and faeces voided were carried out for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P). The mean DM content and their dry matter digestibility (DMD) of these three fodder tree species were found 27.86, 46.02, 34.72, 73.21, 65.93 and 71.28 percent respectively. There were strong negative correlations (r=-0.75 to -0.78; p<0.05) observed between Ca. and CP with fiber fraction (NDF and ADF). The weak correlation was also observed between P and other constituents with respect to digestibility. From the results, if there could be provision of low fiber content in dry season, the three main nutrients (Ca, P and CP) may easily be absorbed by the animals.

Patterns of leaf conductance and water potential of five Himalayan tree species.

We studied variations in water relations and drought response in five Himalayan tree species (Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. (chilaune) and Castanopsis indica (Roxb.) Miq. (dhale katus) at an elevation of 1400 m, Quercus lanata Smith (banjh) and Rhododendron arboreum Smith (lali gurans) at 2020 m, and Quercus semecarpifolia Smith (khasru) at 2130 m) at Phulchowki Hill, Kathmandu, Nepal. Soil water potential at 15 (Psi(s15)) and 30 cm (Psi(s30)) depths, tree water potential at predawn (Psi(pd)) and midday (Psi(md)), and leaf conductance during the morning (g(wAM)) and afternoon (g(wPM)) were observed from December 1998 to April 2001, except during the monsoon months. There was significant variation among sites, species and months in Psi(pd), Psi(md), g(wAM) and g(wPM), and among months for all species for Psi(s15). Mean Psi(pd) and Psi(md) were lowest in Q. semecarpifolia (-0.40 and -1.18 MPa, respectively) and highest in S. wallichii (-0.20 and -0.63 MPa, respectively). The minimum Psi value for all species (-0.70 to -1.79 MPa) was observed in March 1999, after 4 months of unusually low rainfall. Some patterns of Psi(pd) were related to phenology and leaf damage. During leafing, Psi(pd) often increased. Mean g(wAM) and g(wPM) were highest in Q. semecarpifolia (172 and 190 mmol m(-2) s(-1), respectively) and lowest in C. indica (78 and 74 mmol m(-2) s(-1), respectively). Soil water potential (Psi) at 15 cm depth correlated with plant Psi in all species, but rarely with g(wAM) and not with g(wPM). Plant Psi declined with increasing elevation, whereas g(w) increased. As Psi(pd) declined, so did maximal g(w), but overall, g(w) was correlated with Psi(pd) only for R. arboreum. Schima wallichii maintained high Psi, with low stomatal conductance, as did Castanopsis indica, except that C. indica had low Psi during dry months. Rhododendron arboreum maintained high Psi(pd) and g(w), despite low soil Psi. Quercus lanata had low g(w) and low Psi(pd) in some months, but showed no correlation between tree Psi and g(w). Quercus semecarpifolia, which grows at the highest elevation, had low soil and plant Psi and high g(w).

Interspecies differences and variability with time of protein precipitation activity of extractable tannins, crude protein, ash, and dry matter content of leaves from 13 species of Nepalese fodder trees

Dry matter, ash, crude protein, and protein precipitation activity (PPA) of 13 Nepalese tree fodder species were monitored in dried samples prepared monthly between November 1990 and May 1991, and additionally in November 1991, covering the season when they are particularly important as fodder. Monthly levels of dry matter, ash, and crude protein were fairly stable except when there was new leaf growth, although year to year differences in dry matter were found inBrassaiopsis hainla (Bh),Dendrocalamus strictus (Ds),Ficus roxburghii (Fr), andQuercus semecarpifolia (Qs). Tannin PPA fluctuated considerably inArtocarpus lakoocha (Al),Ficus glaberrima (Fg),F. nerrifolia (Fn), Fr,F. semicordata (Fs),Litsea polyantha (Lp), andPrunus cerasoides (Pc), and to a lesser extent in Bh,Castanopsis indica (Ci),C. tribuloides (Ct),Quercus lamellosa (Ql), and Qs. Similar fluctuations in PPA were observed in fresh leaf samples taken weekly. Ds did not have any detectable PPA. Trends in PPA fluctuation were generally similar for trees located at similar altitudes. Fr, Pc, Al, Fn, Ql, and Ci had falling PPAs before shedding leaves. Some of the fluctuations in Fr, Fs, Fg, Pc, and Lp were apparently due to changes in the extractability and quantity of condensed tannins. These fluctuations in PPA may affect the nutritive value of the fodders.

Structure and function of a sub-tropical humid forest of Meghalaya I. Vegetation, biomass and its nutrients

The peripheral disturbed zone of a 50-year old stand of the forest at Lailad was dominated byDendrocalamus hamiltonii, an early successional bamboo characteristic of a secondary successional fallow of not more than 20–25 years while the central undisturbed zone hadSchima wallichii, Castanopsis indica andShorea robusta as important components. The biomass of the forest was computed as 137×108 kg/ha of which 64.7% was in the central zone. The contribution by different species both in the central and peripheral zone of the forest was worked out. Linear relationship betweendbh/d2h and biomass was worked out for different species. The standing crop had: N, 953; P, 284; K, 600; Ca, 2281; and Mg, 450 kg/ha, of which 60% was in the central zone of the forest.

Vegetation Composition and Biomass Production in Community Forest in Sikre VDC adjoining Shivapuri National Park, Kathmandu

The present study describes the structural and floral composition of the vegetation of Sikre Village Development Committee (VDC) at Shivapuri National Park. Systematic sampling technique was used to analyze the vegetation of the forest. A quadrat size of 10mx10m was plotted at respective point for tree study and within 5mx5m plots for shrubs and 1mx1m for herbs analysis. The study recorded a total of 18 tree species from 13 families in the forest area. Among the trees, Uttis (Alnus nepalensis D. Don) and Chilaune [Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth.] were the most dominant species. The major shrubs of the forest areas comprised of Yurilo (Hypericum uralum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don), Chutro (Berberis aristata DC.) and Angeri (Melastoma melabathricum L.). Among the herbs Bhui Amala (Phyllanthus freternus Webster), Unyu [Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott.] and Banmara (Eupatorium adenophorum Spreng.) were dominant ones in forest ground. The aboveground biomass of tree species was found to be 4021.41kg/ha in which Dhalne katus [Castanopsis indica (Roxb.) Miq.] constituted the large percent of biomass of the forest. The estimated resources demand and supply showed the annual deficit of 112.038t/yr and the carbon stock was calculated to be 2.01t/ha. The Shannon Index of diversity was highest for tree (2.33) followed by shrub (2.22) and herb (2.17) respectively. The density of cut stumps and the density of lopping were 184/ha and 216/ha respectively, which showed that the anthropogenic pressure on community forest was prominent. Key words: basal area; biomass; species diversity; systematic sampling DOI: 10.3126/njst.v11i0.4135Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 11 (2010) 133-138

Vegetation and prominent flora from Begnash Tal to Tara Hill, Annapurna Conversation Area Project, Kaski district

An investigation of vegetation and prominent flora from Begnash to Tara Hill (a very popular trekking route of Annapurna Conservation Area) was carried out. The vegetation is exposed to different levels of human-induced disturbances. The route followed ascends gradually from Begnas passing through different vegetated areas. The altitude of the study area ranges from 1000 to 3000 masl. The vegetation of the study area comprises different types of forests such as hill sal (Shoresa robusta), Schima-Castanopsis, alder, lower temperate mixed broad leaved forest, oak, upper temperate – mixed broad-leaved, Rhododendron, Betula utilis, pine and juniper and arid bushes. Schima wallichii, Castanopsis indica, Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron arboreum, Ilex dipyrena, Pandanus nepalensis, Daphne bholua, Lithocarpus pachyphylla, Pterocarpus santalinus, etc. are the prominent flora of the study area.&#x0D; &#x0D; Himalayan Journal of Sciences 1(1): 43-46, 2003

Honeybee Flora at Kabre, Dolakha District

Adequate knowledge about bee flora is the prerequisite to initiate bee keeping. A study was conducted at Kabre area of Dolakha district during 1997-1999 to identify existing bee flora and develop a floral calendar. Based on the interview with bee farmers and visual observations, 119 important plant species were recorded, out of which 47 species were found major sources for honeybees. Spring season (mid-March to mid-June) and autumn season (mid-Sept to Oct) were identified as honey flow periods having a number of floral plants such as Guizotia abyssinica, Fraxinus floribunda, Prunus cerasoides, Pyrus communis, Castanopsis indica, Brassica spp., Citrus spp., Berberis spp., Rubus spp., Rhododendron spp. and Trifolium spp. Winter season (mid- Nov to Feb) is the critical dearth period with a few flowering plants like Reinwardtia indica, Pogestemon glaber, Caesalpinia spp. and Eupatorium spp. Depending upon the climatic conditions, possibility of planting multipurpose plants has been discussed. Based on available flora, major characteristics of these plant species, utility status and flowering duration a bee floral calendar was developed for Kabre. To conserve these floras, attention must be made to maintain and multiply the existing flora.Key words: Apis cerana; Bee flora; Bee keeping; Dearth period; Honey flowDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/narj.v4i0.4859Nepal Agriculture Research Journal Vol. 4&amp;5, 2001/2002Page: 18-25Uploaded date: 8 June, 2011

Trend Analysis and Purpose of Use of Some Important Plant and Animal Species of Ghandruk VDC, Nepal

Ghandruk is one of the famous tourism VDC of Annapurna Conservation Areas (ACA). Trend analysis and propose of use of plants and animal species of Ghandruk Village Development Committee of Kaski district, western part of Nepal was carried out. A total of 54 plant species and 18 animal species with high local economic value were documented from structured questionnaire, interviews, key informants interviews, and focused group discussion with representatives and ACAP staffs. Trend analysis shows that most of the species increased during the past 20 years. All species are equally important for their purpose of uses. Michelia champaca, Schima wallichii, Castanopsis indica are very important trees for timber production. Quercus lamelossa, Q. semicarpifolia and Ficus roxburghii are very good fodder species. Alnus nepalensis colonizes landslides and degraded sites very successfully. Leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides and fur of Lepus nigricollis is used to control bleeding from cuts and wounds. Medicinal plants, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Acorus calamus and Curcuma langa are used to control cough and bronchitis. The litter of plants is used to make compost fertilizer. Some animals were found the important medicinal purposes, some other used for control mouse populations. Some animals like Canis aureus and Martes flavigula, however, were found to be pests for domestic animals.DOI: 10.3126/on.v8i1.4319