Popular Article www.vigyanvarta.com Vol-2 Issue-5 Binkadakatt and Verma (2021) Nursery Raising and Plantation Techniques in Temperate (Oak) Tasar Activities
Binkadakatti, J1* and Verma, A.S2
1Scientist-C, Research Extension Centre, Central Silk Board, Palampur (Himachal Pradesh) 2Scientist-D, Regional Sericulture Research Station, Central Silk Board, Bhimtal (Uttarakhand)
Corresponding Author Binkadakatti, J Email ID: [email protected]
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Keywords
Temperate tasar, Nursery, Quercus and Pruning
How to cite this article
Binkadakatti, J. and Verma, A.S. 2021. Nursery Raising and Plantation techniques in Temperate (Oak) Tasar Activities. Vigyan Varta 2(5): 1-4.
ABSTRACT Oak belongs to the beech family Fagaceae, Order Fagales and genus Quercus is the only food plant of oak tasar silkworm Antheraea proylei J. Many plants commonly called Oak are not belonged to Quercus species e.g., African oak, Australian Oak, bull oak, Jerusalem oak, poison oak, river oak, she-oak, silky oak, Tasmanian oak, tulip oak, silver oak etc.Some commercial Oak food plants which were using to take Temperate (Oak) Tasar rearing activities in India are Quercus Incana, Quercus serrata, Quercus semicarpifolia, Quercus dildata, Quercus floribunda, Quercus himalayana, Quercus griffithii, Quercus leucotrichophora. Among these food plants Quercus serratais fast growing species and recommended for commercial plantation for Oak tasar activities.
INTRODUCTION silkworm is a temperate species feeds on different species of the leaves of oak tree n India, tasar and oak tasar culture is Quercus species found in the states of practiced from the immemorial in tropical Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, I and temperate belts even prior to the Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, introduction of mulberry in India. The tasar Nagaland and Uttarakhand (Goel, R.K. & Rao, culture has substantial income generation V.K. 2004). Oak belonging to the beech family potential especially for the tribal folk who Fagaceae, Order Fagales and genus Quercus is lives in undulating forest regions. Indian oak the only food plant of oak tasar silkworm tasar silk is produced by non-mulberry Antheraea proylei J. Many plants commonly silkworm, Antheraea proylei J. The oak tasar called Oak are not belonged to Quercus species 1 | P a g e
Popular Article www.vigyanvarta.com Vol-2 Issue-5 Binkadakatt and Verma (2021)
e.g., African oak, Australian Oak, bull oak, Prepare 4’x6’ size bed for nursery Jerusalem oak, poison oak, river oak, she-oak, raising. silky oak, Tasmanian oak, tulip oak, silver oak etc (Goel, R.K., 2000). Quercusis the largest Remove outer hard cover of seeds, fill Fagaceae comprising more than 400 species in them in gunny bag and dip in water for some classifications but some taxonomic about 48 hrs to ensure easy sprouting. treatments would reduce the number to 300 Quercus serrataseeds will start (Kaul, 1985). sprouting within 15-20 days.
Important and different types of Oak food Sprouted seeds were separated from plant species available in India: the lot and sow in the bed at 4 inches Quercus Incana from seed to seed & 6 inch from row to row. Quercus serrata Sprouted seeds may also be sown in Quercus semicarpifolia 25x15 cms polythene bag. Quercus dildata Polythene bag must be filled with a Quercus floribunda mixture of manure, Soil and sand in Quercus himalayana the ratio of 3:2:1 or 3:1:1 for sowing of sprouted seeds. Quercus griffithii Sprouted seeds can be placed in Quercus leucotrichophora polythene bag about 1 inch depth and Among these food plants Quercus serratais care to be taken to ensure that fast growing species and recommended for sprouted portion must be at upper side. commercial plantation for Oak tasar activities. Quercus serrata seedling must be Quercus serrata Nursery raising techniques: placed under shade about 3 to 4 months. Collect matured Quercus serrata seeds from October to December. Ensure time to time watering and weeding for proper growth of Approx3,000 number of plants of Q. seedlings. serrata can be accommodated in one hectare of land with 6x6 feet spacing Spray 0.5% urea for quick growth of plant to plant. seedlings.
Select only 2.0 to 2. 5 grams healthy Quercus serrata Plantation techniques: seeds for nursery raising. During the month of April-May The Q. serrata seed having approx. 2 (before rainy season) or December gm weight & 50 to 60% germination. month (After rainy season) prepare 2’x2’x2’ size pit at distance of 2x2 mtr Dip all the seeds in water, and reject or 3x3 mtr between pits. those seeds which are flouting in water. For 1 ha area 2500 seedling were required for plantation at the distance Collect 12 kg seeds for raising of of 2x2 mtr and 1100 seedlings were seedling for 1 ha area. required for plantation at the distance Start nursery raising work from March of 3x3 mtr. month onwards.
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Popular Article www.vigyanvarta.com Vol-2 Issue-5 Binkadakatt and Verma (2021)
Each fit must be filled with 2kg FYM CONCLUSION: and soil for better growth of the plants. There are many types of commercial Oak food Select minimum 4-month-old seedling plants which were available in natural forest to and 12- to 15-inch-long seedling for take Temperate (Oak) Tasar rearing activities plantation. in India. WhichisQuercus Incana, Quercus serrata, Quercus semicarpifolia, Quercus Plantation activities must be carried dildata, Quercus floribunda, Quercus out during July or December month. himalayana, Quercus griffithii and Quercus Prepare 1.5 feet golayi around each leucotrichophora. Among these food plants and every plant. Quercus serratais fast growing species and recommended for commercial plantation for Care to be taken to ensure time to time Oak tassar activities. Seed collection is an weeding and irrigation. important activity before start of nursery raising activities. Oak species will take After 4-5 years of plantation and approximately more than 15 years to grow during the month of November- naturally. But, Quercus serrata species will December, annual pruning must be take 4-5 years and definitely it become boon in taken to ensure availability of healthy Temperate Tasar activities in north, North-East leaf for oak tasar rearing activities. and North-West India Prune the plant at the height of 5 to 6 feet for easy maintenance during REFERENCE:
rearing activities. Otherwise, Quercus Goel, R.K. 2000. Management of quality serrata plant may grow up to 80 to 90 foliage in Oak tasar: chemical feet height. composition of oak plants. Later, 3 to 4 branches will be allowed Sericulture in India, Bishen Singh to grow and other branches must be Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun: 867- removed from the plant. 878.
Every year light pruning is necessary Goel, R.K. & Rao V.K. 2004. Oak tasar to maintain plant height. culture-An aboriginal of Himalayas. APH Publishers, New Delhi. After pruning chemical fertilizers must be given to plants for healthy growth. Kaul R.B. 1985. Reproductive morphology of Quercus (Fagaceae) amer. J Bot., Don’ts to be followed during plantation 72(12):1962-1977 activities: Minimum aged and length seedlings must be avoided during plantation.
After uprooting of seedlings from nursery bed, plantation work should be initiated immediately without delay.
During sunny day or afternoon do not take plantation activities.
As for as possible don’t delay the irrigation/watering after plantation. Quercus serrata seed
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Popular Article www.vigyanvarta.com Vol-2 Issue-5 Binkadakatt and Verma (2021)
Poly tube filled with Mixture& germinated
Seed
Watering of Seedlings Nursery Bed preparation Quercus serrata Nursery Planting Quercus serrata seedlings
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