Causes and Severity of Decline of Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) from Jhunjhunu District of Rajasthan, India

By : Manju Chaudhary

Page No: 339-345

Abstract
Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce (Khejri) is a multipurpose tree that plays an important role in the rural economy of arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. Recently the number of Khejri trees has continuously decreased and they are drying up. A comprehensive survey was conducted to investigate the causes and severity of P. cineraria tree mortality in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Climate change, deepening of the water table, excessive lopping and use of modern machinery in farming damage the roots and make them vulnerable to pests and fungi. All the dry Khejri trees in the study area were infected by the root borer Acanthophorus serraticornis or the root rot Ganoderma lucidum or both. Inflorescence gall is another serious problem in Khejri trees as it significantly reduces pod formation. There is a dire need to make the local people aware of the causes of death of this multipurpose tree and motivate them to restore the Khejri cover in the area.

Author:
Manju Chaudhary : SRRM Govt. College, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2024.40.02.15