XI WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS

Antalya, Turkey, 13 to 22 October 1997




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




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