Influence of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. On the Expression of Germination and Growth of Agricultural Seeds

Aim: This laboratory experiment was conducted to test the effect of allelopathy by Eucalyptus tereticornis aqueous leaf extracts on the germination and growth of Agricultural seeds i.e., Arachis hypogaea, Cicer arietinum, Vigna radiata and Zea mays as to test for suitable agroforestry system.Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design.Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Agroforestry and Soil Science, Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.Methodology: The aqueous leaf extracts of varied concentration [0 (Distilled water), 25, 50, 75 and 100% (m/v) %] prepared were tested against germination percent, relative germination percent, growth and relative allelopathic effect on the aforesaid agricultural seeds.Results: The bioassay revealed that there was significant turndown in parameters tested. Control being the one relatively high performing, with increase in the concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts the germination rate, root length, shoot length, and dry weights reduced in all the other crops treatments tested.Conclusion: The experiment attributes that leaching of allelochemicals from the leaves into the assay caused inhibitory effect on the seed germination and growth.

Diversity, Seasonal Dynamics and Host Plants of Butterflies in Forest Research Centre, Siddipet, Telangana, India

Aim: This study aims at bringing out butterfly diversity through species richness, seasonal distribution and suitable host plant preferences of identified butterflies in Forest Research Centre, Siddipet, Telangana, India.Study Design: Line Transect Method is followed.Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in Forest Research Centre (FRC), Siddipet, Telangana, India during 2021-2022.Methodology: Five line transects are laid across the research centre which are surveyed both in morning and afternoon at 9-11AM and 4-6PM respectively across the season viz., rainy, winter and summer seasons. Species identification was done based on the visual and photographical observations.Results: The study revealed a butterfly species richness of 53, spanning 39 genera and distributed across five families. These families included Nymphalidae (23 species), Pieridae (12 species), Lycaenidae (10 species), Papilionoidae (6 species), and Hesperiidae (2 species). When it came to host plant preferences, the butterflies showed a preference for families such as Fabaceae (23%), Malvaceae (16%), Capparaceae (12%), Acanthaceae (11%), and Poaceae (8%). Additionally, several other families, including Apocynaceae, Aristolochiaceae, Rhamnaceae, and Rutaceae, were found to host a few butterfly species. Regarding seasonal distribution, the study noted that butterfly species were more abundant during the winter season, followed by the rainy season, with the summer season exhibiting a significant difference in distribution and occurrence compared to the other two seasons.Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that FRC reported a diverse range of butterflies distributed across all the seasons making it potential site for preservation and conservation of butterflies and its host species.

Phytodiversity of Herbaceous Flora in the Grasslands of Jannaram Division, Kawal Tiger Reserve, Telangana, India

Aims: To study the diversity and composition of herbaceous species in the grasslands of Jannaram division, Kawal Tiger Reserve, Telangana, India.Place and Duration of Study: Grasslands of Jannaram division, Kawal Tiger Reserve, Telangana, July 2022 to August 2023.Methodology: The study was carried out by laying out 223 sample plots in the Jannaram division by dividing Jannaram division into 3 ranges. The plot size was 1 x 1 m. Varied diversity indices such as Simpson, Shannon–Weiner, species evenness, and IVI were calculated according to standard formulae. Vegetation analysis and IVI value of each species were calculated and analysed.Results: A total of 65 species, comprising 53 genera and 21 families, were reported. The dominant family in the study area was Poaceae, followed by Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Acanthaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae. The Shannon–Weiner index was 3.46 and the Simpson index was 0.05, indicating high diversity with less dominance of herb layer in the study area. Top five species holding highest IVI value are Iseilema laxum (29.94), Cynodon barberi (12.19), Eragrostis amabilis (12.15), Dichanthium annulatum (11.20), and Apluda mutica (10.21).Conclusions: This research produced fundamental information regarding the types of herbaceous plants and grasses present at the Jannaram, Kawal Tiger Reserve. This would serve as a guide to the systematists, ethnobotanists, amongst several others researchers who are interested in identifying.