Growing Euphorbia Antisyphilitica on Wasteland Soils of Rajasthan

By : Shobha Johari , Ashwani Kumar

Page No: 289-295

Abstract 
A vast area of Rajasthan state is wasteland in the form of arid and semiarid. Different climatic zones also affect soil type and vegetation. Diurnal variation in temperature has wide range and along with soil type it affects vegetation. Annual rainfall is very low between 525-675 mm. Saline soil with high pH occupies a major area in the Thar desert of this state. Although eastern part of the state has alluvial soils but fine sandy to loamy fine sand is dominant. This type of soil is also found in neighboring states Gujarat and Punjab which is not suitable for farming. Sand dunes cover greater part of western Rajasthan. Vegetation in this area is thorny scrub type. Different soil types found in desert area support different types of vegetation. Euphorbia antisyphilitica a native plant of desert of Mexico was tried to grow in desert lands of Rajasthan. It is a promising petro-crop and studies were undertaken to find out its biomass and biocrude yield in different soil types like red soil, sandy soil and gravel. Different combinations of these soils were also taken into account. Utilization of such wastelands to grow plants other than crop plants is the aim of present study.

Authors :
Shobha Johari : Associate Professor, Department of Botany, L.B.S. Government College, Kotputli-303108.
Ashwani Kumar : Former Head, Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur-302004.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2021.37.02.10