Northwestern Himalayan Region Research Articles

Insight into the genomic diversity: Genome wide association study unveils the SNP diversity in horsgram germplsam

Genome wide association study (GWAS) was performed to identify loci associated with three agronomic traits namely seeds per pod, pods per plant and number of seeds per plant of horsegram (Macrotyloma uniflorum). Total 87 accesions of horsegram from different geographical regions of India and one wild relative from Australia were utilised for the genome wide association studies. The genotyping was carried out using genotype-by-sequencing technology and after high quality filtering, minor allele frequency of 0.05, a total of 55,656 quality SNPs were utilised for determining Marker-Trait Association. The LD decay varied across the chromosomes form 8 kb to 300 kb. Further, the population structure analysis has clustered the accession into three subpopulations. All the 88 accessions of horsegram were evaluated at Palampur (32.1109° N, 76.5363° E) and Bajaura (31.8465°N, 77.1605°E) locations of North-Western Himalayan region, India from. In the current study, 143 MTAs associations were observed for seeds per pod distributed on all 8 chromosomes, 2 for pods per plant at chromosomes 2 and 3 and 1 for number of seeds per plant at chromosome 7. However, total 11 stable QTLs (9 for number of seeds per plant and 2 for pods per plant) were also identified. These QTLs can serve as a potential source for marker assisted selection. The genes identified within and in proximity to the stable QTLs will serve as a bridge between genetic information and its practical application for crop improvement.

Phenology and Climate Indices of Maize Hybrids under North Western Himalayan Region of Temperate Kashmir

In the Kharif season of 2021, a field experiment was conducted at the crop research farm of the Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the phenology of maize hybrids in relation to agrometeorological indices. The experimental design included two factors: Factor A, representing different irrigation regimes at various growth stages (I1 to I6), and Factor B, consisting of two maize hybrid varieties (Shalimar Hybrid-2 and Shalimar Hybrid-3). The irrigation treatments ranged from early vegetation stage to rainfed conditions. The experiment followed a split plot design with three replications. Results indicated that the treatment I5 (Irrigation at IW/CPE ratio of 0.8) and Shalimar Hybrid-3 exhibited the highest values for key agrometeorological indices, including GDD, HTU, PTU, and HYTU. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing irrigation practices and selecting suitable maize hybrids for enhanced phenological performance.

Assessment of Variability and Genetic Factors among High Heritable Traits of Juglans regia (Walnut) from North Western Himalayan Regions

Assessment of Variability and Genetic Factors among High Heritable Traits of Juglans regia (Walnut) from North Western Himalayan Regions

Phytochemistry and Therapeutic Potential of Cupressus torulosa Needles Essential Oil from India.

Cupressus torulosa is an evergreen tree with a wide distribution in north-western Himalayan region of India. Its needles have long been used in traditional medicine for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. This study aimed to scientifically validate the traditional claim of the needles to treat inflammation by evaluating the chemical composition, antioxidant potential, and anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil extracted from the needles (CTEO) using hydro-distillation. Qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the CTEO was determined with the aid of GC-MS and GC-FID techniques. The major constituents of the CTEO were terpinen-4-ol (393.8±12.5 μg/mg), totarol (55.0±17.2 μg/mg), and sabinene (43.7±2.8 μg/mg). CTEO exhibited significant antioxidant activity when evaluated using DPPH free radical scavenging and reducing power assays. Furthermore, the CTEO demonstrated good anti-inflammatory behavior in in vitro egg albumin denaturation assay, with an IC50 of 27.32 μg/mL. In vivo tests using carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema in rats showed significant effects at doses of 30 mg/kg for up to 1 hour. The significant discoveries not only support the established assertions about the anti-inflammatory properties of C. torulosa needles but also highlight their potential as a useful resource in the growing herbal, complementary, and alternative medicine sectors.

Mapping of adult plant recessive resistance to anthracnose in Indian common bean landrace Baspa/KRC 8.

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) has become the food of choice owing to its wealthy nutritional profile, leading to a considerable increase in its cultivation worldwide. However, anthracnose has been a major impediment to production and productivity, as elite bean cultivars are vulnerable to this disease. To overcome barriers in crop production, scientists worldwide are working towards enhancing the genetic diversity of crops. One way to achieve this is by introducing novel genes from related crops, including landraces like KRC 8. This particular landrace, found in the North Western Himalayan region, has shown adult plant resistance against anthracnose and also possesses a recessive resistance gene. In this study, a population of 179 F2:9 RIL individuals (Jawala ×KRC 8) was evaluated at both phenotypic and genotypic levels using over 830 diverse molecular markers to map the resistance gene present in KRC 8. We have successfully mapped a resistance gene to chromosome Pv01 using four SSR markers, namely IAC 238, IAC 235, IAC 259, and BM 146. The marker IAC 238 is closely linked to the gene with a distance of 0.29cM, while the other markers flank the recessive resistance gene at 10.87cM (IAC 259), 17.80cM (BM 146), and 25.22cM (IAC 235). Previously, a single recessive anthracnose resistance gene (co-8) has been reported in the common bean accession AB 136. However, when we performed PCR amplification with our tightly linked marker IAC 238, we got different amplicons in AB 136 and KRC 8. Interestingly, the susceptible cultivar Jawala produced the same amplicon as AB 136. This observation indicated that the recessive gene present in KRC 8 is different from co-8. As the gene is located far away from the Co-1 locus, we suggest naming the recessive gene co-Indb/co-19. Fine mapping of co-Indb in KRC 8 may provide new insights into the cloning and characterization of this recessive gene so that it can be incorporated into future bean improvement programs. Further, the tightly linked marker IAC 238 can be utilized in marker assisted introgression in future bean breeding programs. The novel co-Indb gene present in Himalayan landrace KRC 8, showing adult plant resistance against common bean anthracnose, is independent from all the resistance genes previously located on chromosome Pv01.

Agricultural Produce Supply Chain Network of Capsicum: Empirical Evidence from India

Vegetables are important for both nutritional and economic stability and contribute significantly to the agricultural landscape of India. The demand for vegetables is rising, driven by population growth and increased awareness of their benefits. This empirical study highlights the dynamics of agricultural production supply chain networks of capsicum crops in the northwestern Himalayan region, specifically Himachal Pradesh, India. The study employs the Acharya approach to analyse the various marketing channels utilized by farmers in the capsicum supply chain. This methodology sheds light on the economic nuances at each stage and examines marketing channels, costs, margins, price spread and marketing efficiency. Simultaneously, the Garrett ranking method is applied to discern and prioritize constraints faced by farmers. This comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of the economic and logistical intricacies of capsicum marketing. The analysis of marketing channels reveals five distinct pathways employed by farmers, with Channel-C (Producer–Commission Agent–Retailer–Consumer) standing out as the most dominant, representing 47.25% of the total quantity. Moreover, Channel-A (Producer–Consumer) proves to be the most cost-effective for producers and boasts the highest producer price, while Channel-C, involving commission agents, incurs higher costs. This suggests a preference for intermediaries, emphasizing factors like market access and negotiation skills, whereas Channel-D (Producer–Local Trader–Wholesaler–Retailer–Consumer) has the highest gross marketing margin, emphasizing the trade-offs between efficiency and transaction volume. The results indicate that while Channel-A is the most efficient, it is not the preferred choice due to the lower transaction quantity. Further, the absence of market consultation services, inadequate road infrastructure, high commission charges, nonremunerative prices and untimely availability of vehicles are the major constraints in marketing. The findings of the study call for targeted interventions to create a more robust and farmer-friendly marketing environment for capsicum crops in the region. The study proposes targeted recommendations, emphasizing collaborative efforts between stakeholders, government bodies and farmers. This research contributes to the academic discourse and also offers actionable insights for researchers and policymakers, fostering sustainability, profitability and equity within the capsicum supply chain.

Study on organic goat production as a tool for sustainability of nomadic pastoralism in north-western Himalayan region, India

Migratory Gaddi sheep and goat constitutes approximately 70% of the total population of small ruminants in Himachal Pradesh, which is in north-western Himalayan region of India. The present investigation was carried out on 32 Gaddi migratory flocks consisting of around 5000 animals (sheep and goat) through structured pre-validated questionnaire to find out scope of nomadic pastoralism for organic goat production. Through cross-sectional surveys, it was found that 100% of breeds reared by the nomads are indigenous in origin, which is well adapted for grazing and browsing in different hilly terrains and topographies. Tethering was not at all practiced among the nomadic flocks of goats. The flocks were herd in corrals during night to prevent predatory loss. The main source of nutrition for goats was rangeland, natural pastures and common property resources. The nomadic goat production system does not substantially compromise the welfare of the animals. Natural suckling and freedom of social behaviour in nomadic flocks are the ethological advantages same as that are required for standards of organic production. Natural breeding is commonly practiced in this nomadic goat production system whereas artificial insemination, embryo transfer and estrus synchronization is unpopular. Ethno-veterinary practices of Gaddi farmers give them an edge over other countries in organic goat production; it can be effective substitute for allopathic medicines but needs to be validated on efficacy and dosage. Exploring and supporting nomadic pastoralism for organic production will help in improving its traceability, meeting consumer satisfaction and sustaining the dwindling nomadic pastoralism.

Occurrence of Cherry Virus A (CVA) infecting stone fruits in Kashmir province of Northwestern Himalayan Region of India

Occurrence of Cherry Virus A (CVA) infecting stone fruits in Kashmir province of Northwestern Himalayan Region of India

Determinants of farmers’ choice for agricultural output marketing channels of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): an empirical evidence from north-western Himalayan region

Determinants of farmers’ choice for agricultural output marketing channels of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum): an empirical evidence from north-western Himalayan region

Effect of different irrigation and fertigation schedules on growth and productivity of Red Velox apple in Northwestern Himalayan region

The present study was conducted at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) to study the effect of different irrigation and fertigation schedules on growth and productivity of Red Velox apple in Northwestern Himalayan region. A factorial experiment comprised of sixteen treatment combination of four drip irrigation levels viz. drip irrigation at 100% ETc (I1), drip irrigation at 80% ETc (I2), drip irrigation at 60% ETc (I3), conventional irrigation (I4) and four levels of fertigation viz. absolute control; no application of fertilizer (F0), 100% of adhoc dose of NPK (F1), 75% of adhoc dose of NPK (F2) and 50% of adhoc dose of NPK (F3) were replicated thrice with three plants in each replication. With an increase in the volume of water and an increasing dose of NPK, vegetative growth parameters (tree height, tree spread, trunk girth, tree volume and annual extension growth), leaf nutrient content and yield were noted to be significantly increased. Drip irrigation at 100% ETc (I1) and fertigation at 100% of adhoc dose of NPK (F1) significantly increased the growth, foliage nutrient content and productivity of apple. Interaction I1F1 recorded highest growth parameters, leaf NPK content as well as yield. The results of two years experiment indicated a positive impact of drip irrigation and fertigation schedules on enhanced fertilization effectiveness and improved vegetative growth, leaf nutrient content and yield of apple.

More‐than‐human supremacy: Himalayan lessons on cosmopolitics

AbstractHow might our analysis of fascism be enriched if we turn our attention to how contemporary supremacist movements self‐fashion themselves as more‐than‐human formations? How is fascist politics naturalized through claims that it is fueled by the agency and vitality of not just humans but also other‐than‐humans? How do right‐wing supremacists’ assertions that theirs is an indigenous more‐than‐human politics that suffered but endured the violence of colonialism support the framing of fascism as a decolonizing project? In this article, we ground these questions in an ethnographic analysis of what we call the more‐than‐human turn in contemporary Hindu‐supremacist politics in the northwestern Himalayan region, focusing specifically on two political projects: the Hindu right‐wing's rediscovery of “ancient” Hindu rivers and communities in Ladakh and cow protection in Uttarakhand. In contrast to ontological anthropologists who suggest that cosmopolitics is plural and liberatory, we demonstrate how the inclusion of nonhuman entities in political life can serve to naturalize a fascist politics that seeks the extermination of those who are not part of the natural order of life. We urge anthropologists to make room for skepticism and critique in their analysis of cosmopolitical formations instead of prematurely celebrating “ecopolitics” as anti‐Western and anticolonial.

Implications of Various Establishment Methods and Nutrient Management Practices on the Growth and Yield of Rice in the North Western Himalayan Region

Aim: For more than half of the world's population, rice is the primary staple food. The traditional method of producing rice uses a lot of water, requires a lot of labor, and is bad for the health of the soil and the environment. Additionally, an unbalanced nutrient supply causes plants to grow and develop slowly, the soil to deteriorate, and the environment to suffer. To know the effect of rice establishment and nutrient management on rice a field study was conducted at SKUAST-Jammu. Methodology: In a split plot design with three replications, the field experiment was carried out with the rice variety Pusa-1121 using 3 establishment methods (system of rice intensification, conventional, and mechanical) and 6 nutrient management practices (100% RDF inorganic, 75% RDF inorganic, 125% RDF inorganic, 50% inorganic + 50% organic, 75% inorganic + 25% organic, and 100% organic manures with FYM). Results: Among the nutrient management, 125% RDF gives the highest yield and B:C ratio of the rice crop during both years, according to the results. The highest yield was found in SRI crop establishment method, which also has the highest B:C ratio among all crop establishment methods. Conclusion: In terms of productivity, soil studies and profitability, the es­tablishment of rice by the system of rice intensification (SRI) technique in combination with 125% RDF inorganic approach was found to be superior to the other treatments.

Fusarium core rot disease affects physicochemical and pathophysiological attributes of apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) fruit

Core rot is becoming an important post-harvest disease in parts of North-Western Himalayan Region due to changing climate. In the present study, the causal organism of core rot was determined, and the potential effects of core rot disease on apple nutrition, vitamins and antioxidants potential were also studied. Based on morphological, molecular (TEF 1 and ITS gene) and Koch postulates studies of collected isolates, the causal fungus was identified as Fusarium fujikuroi. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of core rot of apple caused by Fusarium fujikuroi in India. Core rot reduced the nutritional value of apple cultivars, viz., ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Royal Delicious’, after 10 and 20 d of infection. The disease showed to have decay and rotting of the fruit, resulting in a loss of essential nutrients. This led to decreased levels of DPPH, carotenoid, phenols, acidity, total soluble solid, sucrose, amino acid, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin in the affected portions of the inoculated fruit. The core rot disease was reported to influence the extent of these effects on sucrose, and TSS properties also. Total soluble sugar content was increased 1.91 and 1.21-fold in ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Royal Delicious’ fruit respectively after 20 d of inoculation. Additionally, the presence of F. fujikuroi triggered enzymatic reactions that further degrade antioxidants, reducing their levels in the infected areas. Our study showed that changes in the type and concentration of polyphenolic compounds were observed in infected apples compared to healthy apples. The outcome from this study will be beneficial to understand the host-pathogen interaction and for strategic management of this disease under field conditions.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria, organic manures, and chemical fertilizers: impact on crop productivity and soil health of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) in North Western Himalayan region

Integrated nutrient management practices play a vital role for enhancing the soil productivity and sustainable agriculture production. In vegetable crops, bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a most important vegetable as well as spice crop grown worldwide. The indiscriminate use of inorganic fertilizers for long period deteriorates productivity as well as soil fertility. Therefore, this study was proposed for an extensive evaluation of different combinations of organic manure, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) with inorganic fertilizers and their influence on growth, yield, quality, economics, and soil health in bell pepper. This study was carried out on capsicum cv. Solan Bharpur with 15 treatment combinations in randomized block design with three replications. 75% Nitrogen Phosphorus (NP) + vermi compost (VC) and enriched compost (EC)@ 2.5 t/ha + PGPR resulted greatest available nitrogen (420.13 kg ha−1), phosphorus (53.87 kg ha−1), potassium (466.37 kg ha−1), organic carbon content (1.63%), and electrical conductivity (0.91 dSm−1). Similar treatment combination ie T14 obtained greatest values for yield and yield attributing parameters viz. fruit length (7.06 cm), fruit breadth (5.91 cm), pericarp thickness (6.72 mm), number of fruits per plant (28.05), improved yield by 60.89%, and enhanced total soluble solids (5.94 OBrix), ascorbic acid content (182.54 mg/100 g). Our findings revealed that combining organic manures, such as farm yard manure, VC, EC, and PGPRs, with inorganic fertilizers to the extent of 50–75% is good for enhancing the soil health and delivering a benefit:cost ratio of 2.59 along with long-term crop output.

Revelation of Genotype × Environment Interaction in Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) Under Conventional and Natural Farming Production Systems in the North-Western Himalayas

The development of superior genotypes for use in plant breeding programmes is significantly influenced by the genotype in environment (G × E) interaction. The effects of G × E complicate the improvement of linseed as an important oilseed crop. The present study aimed at assessing the G × E interaction of 30 linseed genotypes for seed yield traits and oil content under conventional and zero-budget natural farming conditions across four locations for two consecutive years (16 different environments) in the North-Western Himalayan region. The AMMI model was used to estimate G × E interaction in the present study. The highest contribution to the total variance belonged to G × E interaction (34.75%), followed by genotype main effects (34.28%). Based on the IPCA1 scores, the most stable genotypes identified with high mean performance for oil content were KL-257 and Nagarkot, and for seed yield, Giza-7 was the most promising genotype. However, genotypes KL-280, KL-285, and Giza-8 showed specific adaptation to the natural production system environments in both years for oil content at locations of Palampur, Bajaura, and Kangra, respectively. Therefore, these genotypes could be recommended specifically under the natural production system in the respective locations. However, the genotypes with stable oil content did not have stable seed yields as well. None of the genotypes that exhibited high oil content stability also exhibited good seed yield stability. In terms of the environment, Palampur was recognised as a favourable location for oil content based on the above average performance, whereas Kangra and Dhaula Kuan were found to be unfavourable locations. In terms of discriminating ability, the natural production system at Palampur showed the highest discrimination, whereas Dhaula Kuan was revealed as the least discriminating environment. These stable and high oil-yielding genotypes are valuable genetic resources for linseed breeding programs for reduced input conditions and marginal environments.

Avifaunal diversity of Northwestern Himalayas (Jammu and Kashmir) and Trans Himalayas (Ladakh) of India

Abstract. Yousuf P, Parvaiz S, Zehbi N, Altaf S, Zargar BN, Rather R, Tantray J, Lateef M. 2023. Avifaunal diversity of Northwestern Himalayas (Jammu and Kashmir) and Trans Himalayas (Ladakh) of India. Biodiversitas 24: 212-231. The Himalayas are home to various plants and animals, making it one of the world's most biodiverse regions. The northwestern Himalayan region of the trans-Himalayan Region of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, India are home to various bird species due to varied topography and temperature. In this study, we collected the checklists and field data for 3 years based on compiling data from published and unpublished scientific literature, print and electronic, currently accessible in research articles, papers, books, websites, web pages, and field notes. The trans-Himalayas (Ladakh) and Northwestern Himalayas (Jammu and Kashmir) are home to 677 bird species, which belong to 89 families; there are approximately 107 families in the Indian sub-continent, equals to 6.77% of total bird species (>10,000) found globally and 49.2% of total bird species (1,376) in the Indian subcontinent. The family Muscicapidae (53 or 7.8%) has the most species, followed by Accipitridae (41 or 6%), and so on. Furthermore, the threatened species number is 54 (8%), which includes 23 (3.40%), 22 (3.25%), 6 (0.8%), and 3 (0.44%) under Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Endangered, and critically Endangered categories. Moreover, among 677 species, 228 species (33.77%) are found in all the 3 regions, 77 (11.4%) in only Jammu & Kashmir but not Ladakh, 24 (3.55%) in Jammu & Ladakh but not in Kashmir, 152 (22.5%) only in Jammu but not in Kashmir & Ladakh, 80 (11.85%) in Kashmir & Ladakh but not in Jammu, 26 (3.84%) only in Kashmir but not in Jammu & Ladakh, 71 (10.51%) only in Ladakh but not in Jammu & Kashmir. This information could provide these regions first-of-its-kind comprehensive data on bird diversity.

Mutagenic sensitivity, effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays and ethyl methane sulfonate on soft and semi-hard bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties in the north-western Himalayan climate

Purpose The North-western Himalayan region requires unique varietal traits for the cultivation and quality of grain produced. Wheat varieties released for this zone in the past remained very popular among the farmers. However, with the passage of time certain traits such as the appearance of pathogenic rust races and grain softness have become threat to the fecundity of these genotypes and needs immediate improvement in this region. Mutation breeding facilitates improving one or two traits of a popular cultivar and to generate variability for most of plant traits upon which selection can be imposed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the mutagenic sensitivity, effectiveness and efficiency of physical and chemical mutagens in four bread wheat varieties with differential grain texture. Materials and methods Four bread wheat varieties; HS 490, HPW 89, HPW 360 and HPW 251 were irradiated using six doses of gamma rays (γ-rays) ranging from 175 to 300 Gy; Co60 source (BARC, Mumbai, India) and six doses of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) ranging from 0.3 to 1.3%; EMS (Sigma-Aldrich, Bangalore, India) to assess their mutation sensitivity, effectiveness, efficiency and spectrum of induced macro-mutations in M1 and M2 generation. Results Based on mutagen sensitivity tests, both gamma rays and ethyl methane sulfonate had similar effects as the doses/concentrations increased in all four varieties. Ethyl methane sulfonate had a discernible effect on seed germination and growth parameters as compared to gamma irradiated treatments. Pollens viability studies confirmed the differential effects of both mutagens on germination and plant survivability. The LD50 and LC50 values varied between 290–315 Gy for gamma rays and 0.90–1.35% for EMS under controlled laboratory conditions, however, the range substantially differs for gamma rays (240–290 Gy) and for EMS (0.50–1.1%) under field conditions, irrespective of the variety treated. The frequency of chlorophyll mutations was low and showed a linear correlation with the doses/concentrations of the mutagen. A total of 117 putative mutants with desirable agro-morphological characteristics were also isolated. Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency results showed that gamma irradiation doses of 250–300 Gy and ethyl methane sulfonate of 0.7–1.3% were most potent for an effective mutation breeding programme in wheat crop. Conclusions It was found that semi-hard textured varieties showed higher sensitivity to chemical mutagens as compared to soft-textured varieties. Gamma irradiation dose of 250–300 Gy and ethyl methane sulfonate concentration of 0.7–1.3% were found to be most effective and efficient across four bread wheat varieties and can be used in large scale mutagenesis programmes.

Predicting the optimum harvesting dates for different exotic apple varieties grown under North Western Himalayan regions through acoustic and machine vision techniques.

Acoustic system and machine vision were used to evaluate the effects of different harvest dates on the quality and sensory attributes of exotic apple varieties of North Western Himalayan. Gala Redlum (V1) was harvested at 110 (H1), 120 (H2) and 130 (H3) Days from Full Bloom (DFFB); Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) were harvested at 130 (H1), 140 (H2) and 150 (H3) DFFB. Highest acoustic coefficient (21.13) and firmness (20.72 lbs) recorded at first harvest date (H1) decreased significantly (p (19.86 to 17.90 lbs) at second harvest (H2) and (17.77 to 16.80 lbs) at third harvest date. Highest starch iodine rating (3.72); anthocyanin content (24.81mg/100g); total soluble solids (12.10 %); total sugars (8.75 %) were recorded at H3 in all the varieties. For Gala Redlum (V1) 130 DFFB and for Red Velox (V2) and Super Chief (V3) 150 DFFB were predicted as suitable harvesting dates for table consumption.

Deceitful Catchment Area for the Development of Agriculture and Horticulture Aspects in the Himalayan Region

The glaciers and annual snowfalls in the Himalayan region feed rivers serving 47% of the world’s population. No other region in the world has the comparable number of people, scarcity of rainfall, dependence on agriculture, tempting sites for mega-projects and vulnerability to climate change. Being a part of north-western Himalayan region, the catchment development (CD) block of Banjar in the district Kullu of Himachal Pradesh has 49 Micro Watersheds (MWs) out of which 4 are snow bound and are inaccessible to carry out any developmental activity. In order to do socio-economic study and assess the extent of Horticultural, Agricultural, Vegetable Production and Animal Husbandry development, NERIL conducted field survey in all these Community Development Blocks in 2012. For the purpose of this survey, the random sampling size comprised of minimum 10% of the revenue villages and 5 nos. of households up to a total of 250 households. In case of households exceeding 250 nos. an additional household was surveyed for an increase of every 50 households thereafter. As per these criterion 177 households in CD Block Kullu. The block has 10858 ha area owned by the farmers in which various agricultural activities including vegetable cultivation and animal husbandry are carried out. Additionally, 7254 ha area is available for the cultivation of different fruit crops viz. apple, plum, pomegranate, peanut, persimmon and walnut. The Block has 6935 ha area on which various cereal and vegetable crops are grown. Among the cereal crops, Maize dominates during Kharif season whereas Wheat and Barley are the main crops during Rabi season. Themaize accounts for 84.2% of the cropped area during Kharif season whereas wheat accounts for 82.2 % of the cropped area during Rabi season. The vegetables are grown on 1360 ha (cropped) area in the block. The most preferred vegetable crops are peas, garlic, cauliflower and cabbage. They are grown by 60.7, 45.6, 24.4 and 11.2 % farmers respectively. The farmer’s feed good amount (3.5 kg) of concentrate per cattle per day.The average milk yield of improved breeds is 5.6 liter per day whereas that of local cows is about 2.7 liter perday. The most discouraging feature of the animal husbandry activity has been negligible availability of green fodder. On the above survey data were concluded that, a total sum of Rs. 592.52 lacs will be required to bring the desired improvement in the economy of farmers at least partially and conserve the soil and water to reduce the silt load of the river water system in near future.

Comparative study of hydro- and steam-water distillation for isolation of essential oils from needles of Cupressus torulosa D. Don

Cupressus torulosa, a large aromatic evergreen conifer tree widely distributed in the northwestern Himalayan region of India, holds various traditional uses of its aerial parts. The objective of this study was to compare the essential oil content and chemical composition of C. torulosa needles obtained using two distinct distillation methods: hydro-distillation (HD) and steam-water distillation (SWD). Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques were employed to determine the compositions of the oils. The results indicated that the hydro-distilled essential oil (HDEO) exhibited significantly higher content (0.73±0.09%) compared to the steam-water distilled essential oil (SWDEO, 0.19±0.02%). Additionally, the HDEO and SWDEO exhibited notable differences in their chemical composition. The HDEO was primarily rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (58.45%), with terpinen-4-ol (29.09%) and umbellulone (21.29%) identified as the major constituents. On the other hand, the SWDEO was dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons (73.75%), with α-pinene (22.19%), δ-3-carene (19.98%), and limonene (14.7%) as the main components. The findings from this study can assist in selecting the appropriate distillation technique to obtain essential oils with desired chemical compositions for various end-use applications.