Track 3-1-2: Case Studies on Participatory Research and Development
Description
Ber is mainly cultivated for its fresh fruits, which are rich in vitamins C, A and B complex. Due to its nutritional qualities it is called poor man’s apple (Gajbhiya et al., 2003). A large number of wild ber shrubs (Zizyphus mauritiana, Z. rotundifolia and Z. nummularia) were seen growing on the neglected lands, uncultivated lands, roadsides and farm boundaries in Kadesara Kala Village in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh (India). Production potential of this species is very low because of poor upkeep and inferior genetic makeup. But they have extensive root system which can withstand prolonged drought and has capability to regenerate even if the shoot system is damaged completely (Batahr, 1990). They are also responsibly resistant to common insect and pest. Therefore, these species offer an excellent production potential from the degraded lands of Bundelkhand region of India (Sharma and Tiwari, 1994; Tiwari and Sharma, 1993) after in-situ budding with improved cultivars. It also provides sufficient leaf biomass (pala) which can be utilized as fodder in lean period and also suitable for hay and silage for goat as it contains 11-13 percent crude protein (Tewatia and Khirwar, 2002). Pruned twigs/stems of ber also meet, to some extent, the fuel wood requirement in rural areas (Kumar et al., 2004).
Included in
Rejuvenation of Wild Ber (Zizyphus Species) through Budding at Farmer’s Field
Ber is mainly cultivated for its fresh fruits, which are rich in vitamins C, A and B complex. Due to its nutritional qualities it is called poor man’s apple (Gajbhiya et al., 2003). A large number of wild ber shrubs (Zizyphus mauritiana, Z. rotundifolia and Z. nummularia) were seen growing on the neglected lands, uncultivated lands, roadsides and farm boundaries in Kadesara Kala Village in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh (India). Production potential of this species is very low because of poor upkeep and inferior genetic makeup. But they have extensive root system which can withstand prolonged drought and has capability to regenerate even if the shoot system is damaged completely (Batahr, 1990). They are also responsibly resistant to common insect and pest. Therefore, these species offer an excellent production potential from the degraded lands of Bundelkhand region of India (Sharma and Tiwari, 1994; Tiwari and Sharma, 1993) after in-situ budding with improved cultivars. It also provides sufficient leaf biomass (pala) which can be utilized as fodder in lean period and also suitable for hay and silage for goat as it contains 11-13 percent crude protein (Tewatia and Khirwar, 2002). Pruned twigs/stems of ber also meet, to some extent, the fuel wood requirement in rural areas (Kumar et al., 2004).
