VOLUME 3, TOPIC 15
A. K. Mukerji1
OF INDIA
Hamid A. Khan and L.N. Harsh1
Acacia Senegal occurs widely in the arid and semi-arid region of Gujarat and Rajasthan in
India. The tree is a source of fodder and fuel and the seeds are used as vegetable.. Besides, being
a leguminous tree, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen and improves soil fertility and has a typical
soil stabilising property as the tap root extends deep down in search of water and the lateral roots
extend about 20-30 m in length, stabilising the soil and arresting soil erosion. Recent discovery of
occurrence of triacontanol, an effective plant growth regulator, in the leaves of this tree has increased
its importance as an important component of agroforestry system as the leaf-litter is a source
of triacontanol rich humus to the soil. A.
Senegal is a well known source of highly valuable gum
arabic in Sudan. However, in India, the tree produces little or no gum as such. A systematic study has
been initiated to tap the gum form this tree by ethephon treatment. The development of a technique
for tapping A senegal without affecting the performance of the trees would go a long way in
saving foreign exchange, generating employment, creating a source of income to the inhabitants of
arid and semi-arid region of India and promoting sense of responsibility for propagating and
conserving this multipurpose tree among the people.
Keywords: Acacia senegal , triacontanol, gum-arabic, ethephon, utilization.
1 Central Arid Zone Research
Institute, Jodhpur 342 003, India
Previous Section Next Section
Download the Pdf file for
this topic (182 K)
What is
a Pdf file ?
|