AN ECO-PHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THYSANOLAENA MAXIMA (BROOM GRASS): A MULTIPURPOSE, PERENNIAL GRASS OF HIGH FODDER VALUE
Supervisors:
Prof. S.P. Singh, Department of Botany, Kumaun University, Nainital
Prof. L.M.S. Palni, Senior Scientific Advisor - Biotechnology, Government of Uttaranchal
Summary:
Thysanolaena
maxima
(Roxb.) Kuntze belongs to Poaceae family. It is commonly known as amliso
in Nepalese, tiger grass/bouquet grass/broom grass in English, ons/kuchi
in the Indian Central Himalaya and pildi, naltura, and narkatia in
South/West India). The species occurs in warm temperate and sub-tropical
parts of India, Bhutan, Burma, China, East Asia, Nepal, New Guinea and
Malaysia up-to 2000 m amsl. T. maxima is an important grass species
due to its many ecological and economic functions.
There
has been a general paucity of information about T. maxima from the
Indian Central Himalayan region. The present study, therefore, considered
relevant to undertake a detailed study so that the information generated
would be of direct applied value, and contribute towards effective and
improved propagation of this species. The species is expected to be
utilised in watershed management programmes in the Indian Central
Himalayan region.
Study Objectives:
*
To identify its habitats, soil characteristics and population density
*
to analyse anatomy, phenological behaviour and retranslocation of
nutrients
*
to analyse growth performances in different land use systems
*
to carry out investigations on seed biology, germination and clonal
propagation methods, including the development of a tissue culture
protocol
*
to analyse growth performance of seedlings, rhizome and tissue culture
raised plants under different microclimatic conditions
*
to see the effect of fertilisers and clipping experiments carried out
during different seasons on growth, biomass and nutritive composition of
plants
*
to analyse eco-physiology of seedlings,
in vitro raised plants and rhizome propagated plants, and
*
to evaluate the role of this species in soil and water conservation.
Summary of results
•
Thysanolaena maxima was
found growing in a wide range of habitats (soil pH: 5.3-9.3;
moisture:11.6-37.6%; carbon: 0.4-2.7%).
•
The anatomy of both conventionally raised plants and in vitro raised
plants was similar. There was presence of bulliform cells; Kranz
anatomical features were absent, hence the plants resemble C3 types.
•
Maximum growth was recorded during September and retranslocation
efficiency was high. Multiple leaf formation was found to occur. Rhizome
was formed during winter season. Plant was susceptible to long duration of
frost. Chl. a/b ratio in the leaves of field grown mature plant was less
than 3.0, as reported to may C3 species.
•
In addition to the earlier methods of vegetative propagation by the use of
slips, plants could be propagated through use of cut rhizomes during
winter and early summer months (May). Seeds, which did not germinate in
the dark and under blue light, had the potential for large- scale
propagation, either through simple conventional method (seed dispersal) or
with the help of a micro-propagation protocol.
•
The biomass of rhizome/slip propagated clumps was maximum during the 3rd
year and declined thereafter. The productivity was affected by clipping at
different interval, application of fertilizers, the type of clonal
population used, and land use types.
•
Physiological studies indicated that chlorophyll fluorescence was affected
by low temperature; the photosynthetic efficiency of the plants was more
during the winter season when they were kept inside a polypit.
*
At ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations, the rate of photosynthesis
of both seedlings and mature clumps increased with
increasing PPFD up to 2000 PAR (when other conditions were favorable). At
elevated CO2 net photosynthesis was higher than that at ambient
concentration. At 330 µmol mol-1 CO2
maximum photosynthesis was observed at 25°C, as compared to 30°C for 700
µmol mol-1 CO2
concentration. WUE was also more for plants exposed to elevated CO2
concentration.
*
A short-term study indicated that planting T. maxima substantially
reduces water runoff and soil loss from degraded land. Conservation value
(CV) of 53.1% and 58.0% were recorded for water runoff and soil loss,
respectively.
Studies
indicate that T. maxima (broom grass) has necessary characteristics
and the potential to be incorporated in different agro-forestry systems in
the Central Himalayan region. By doing so, the rural communities of this
region will not only be able to improve the overall ecological condition
but also benefit economically by setting up a cottage (broom) industry at
individual and/or community level; alternatively the foliage can be used
as a good fodder.
S. K. Bhuchar:
Subject : Botany
Ph. D. :Botany Kumaun University, Nainital
Correspondence Address:
, Asst. Program Coordinator (PARDYP), ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal
Work Title