Browsing by Author "N.K. Srivastava"

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Conservation efficiency of five common riparian weeds in movement of soil, water and phosphorus
(1992) R. Kumar; R.S. Ambasht; N.K. Srivastava
Leonotis nepetaefolia, Cassia tora, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus and Sida acuta, dominant on the banks of the Rihand river and Pant Sagar reservoir at Renukoot (India), were selected to assess their quantitative role in binding the soil, reducing water run-off and conserving phosphorus. The soil, water and phosphorus conservation value of each of the five specis were computed using the formula given by Ambasht (1970). Soil conservation values for the five selected riparian herbs ranged between 33-84%, while water conservation values were 19-50%. Overall phosphorus conservation value, based on the losses in run-off water and eroded soil taken together, varied for total P from 41-63%, for inorganic P from 42-60% and for organic P from 21-61% under different species. -from Authors
Effect of thermal power effluents on the community structure and primary production of phytoplankton
(1993) N.K. Srivastava; R.S. Ambasht; R. Kumar; Shardendu
Effluents discharged by the coal-fired thermal power house at Obra (22° 52′ N lat. and 83°5′ E long.) reach into the nearby flowing Rihand river and alter the ecological features of the river ecosystem. Temperature and pH of the receiving river water increased while the transparency, dissolved oxygen, chloride, NO3-N, and PO4-P decreased. In the effluent zone of the river, no phytoplankton existed during a one-year study period (January to December 1987). Chlorophycean members like Spirogyra and Scenedesmus which were present in the unaffected upstream (control site) were replaced by Bacillariophycean members like Pinnularia and Nitzschia with reduced phytoplankton density in the downstream-affected water. At the control site (average of 12 months), Chlorophyta density contributed 335 unit L-1 to the total phytoplankton density (774 unit L-1) followed by Cyanophyta (260 unit L-1) and Bacillariophyta (188 unit L-1). At the affected site maximum of 112, the unit L-1 contribution was by Bacillariophyta followed by 90 unit L-1 of Chlorophyta and 60 unit L-1 of Cyanophyta to the total phytoplankton density (221 unit L-1). Phytoplankton diversity indices and primary production were reduced in the affected zone. Chloride and PO4-P together accounted for 54% (p<0.01) of thevariability to the Bacillariophyta density, while no clear influence on Chlorophyta and Cyanophyta density was observed. Total phytoplankton density was changed by 28% (p<0.05) by chloride itself. Gross and net primary productivities were significantly (p<0.01) influenced by alteration of the NO3-N concentrations of the water. © 1993.
Nitrogen conservation efficiency of five common riparian weeds in a runoff experiment on slopes
(1992) Raju Kumar; R.S. Ambasht; N.K. Srivastava
The role of five herbaceous riparian weeds, namely Leonotis nepetaefolia (L.) R. Br., Cassia tora L., Ageratum conyzoides L., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Sida acuta burm f., in reducing runoff and nitrogen losses has been studied. Seedlings of the species collected from the banks of the Rihand River and the Rihand Reservoir (Pant Sagar) were transplanted on sloping experimental plots in the Botanical Garden, Banaras Hindu University. A simulated total rainfall equal to 42·5 mm at an intensity of 30 cm/h was applied for 8·5 min on each of the five vegetated plots and on an equal sized bare plot. Water and soil running down the sloping plots were separately collected in cemented reservoirs. They were analysed for different forms of nitrogen. Conservation values (CV) of soil, water and nitrogen were calculated using the method described by Ambasht (1970). Soil CV ranged from 33% to 84% and water CV from 19% to 50% for different species. Total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen CV of five species ranged from 26% to 63%, 50% to 82%, and 51% to 88%, respectively. By stepwise multiple regression, it is found that canopy was the single most important factor (up to 69%) in explaining variations in runoff. © 1992 Academic Press Limited.
Reduction of nitrogen losses through erosion by Leonotis nepetaefolia and Sida acuta in simulated rain intensities
(1997) Raju Kumar; R.S. Ambasht; Ajit Srivastava; N.K. Srivastava; A. Sinha
Leonotis nepetaefolia, a tall herb and Sida acuta a medium size herb were selected to experimentally test the efficacy of vegetal cover in conservation of soil, water and nitrogen under varying intensities of simulated rain. Young seedlings of the species collected from the banks of the Rihand River, about 150 km South of Varanasi, India, were transplanted on sloping experimental plots. Simulated rainfall of 20, 25, 31, 38, 46 and 55 mm h-1 was applied for 50 min on the two vegetated and one bare plot. Water and soil running down from each of the sloping plots were collected separately in respective cemented reservoirs. They were analysed for different forms of nitrogen. The conservation value (Cv) of soil, water and nitrogen were calculated using Ambasht's formula. Depending upon the nature of vegetation protecting the surface, soil loss through erosion increased two to three times on doubling the rain intensity. As the rain intensity was raised soil conservation value of Leonotis increased from 63 to 88% and of Sida from 27 to 57%. Leonotis with better ground cover reduced particulate nitrogen erosion more effectively. The major fraction of nitrogen (total-N, ammonia-N and nitrate-N) transport down the slope was in soluble form.
Restoration strategies for the degrading Rihand River and reservoir ecosystems in India
(Elsevier Science, 1994) R.S. Ambasht; N.K. Srivastava
Water quality, phytoplankton diversity, primary production, and accumulation of N, P, K, Cd, Cu, Ni, Fe and Cr in shallow water macrophytes of the Rihand River and reservoir at Obra and Renukoot, India, were studied under the impact of effluents from a thermal power plant and chemical factory. Phytoplankton diversity and productivity were reduced under this impact. Macrophytes showed less nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the effluent-affected region, while potassium and iron content increased. Marginal herbs, Ammannia baccifera and Polygonum amphibium, accumulated high amounts of iron. It is recommended that use of harvesters of heavy metals, effective binders of soil, and conservers of nutrients be used for restoration of these wetlands. -Authors
Role of some riparian wetland plants in reducing erosion of organic carbon and selected cations
(Elsevier B.V., 1996) Raju Kumar; R.S. Ambasht; Ajit K. Srivastava; N.K. Srivastava
Five riparian herbaceous plants, Leonotis nepetaefolia, Cassia tora, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus and Sida acuta, dominant on the banks of the Rihand river at Renukoot (India), were selected to assess experimentally their quantitative role in conserving organic-C, Na, K and Ca. Young seedlings from the river bank were planted on sloping experimental plots made of alluvial soil. Simulated rainfall totalling 42.5 mm was applied at 300 mm h-1 on five vegetated and one bare plots. Runoff water and eroded soil were collected from each experimental plot in artificial reservoirs and their quantities were measured. The soil conservation value of the five selected species ranged between 33 and 84% while the water conservation value varied between 19 and 50%. The overall nutrient conservation value, based on the losses in runoff water and eroded soil taken together, varied from 30 to 83% for organic-C, 19 to 78% for Na, 13 to 72% for K and 29 to 52% for Ca under different species. Loss of these four nutrients in response to 42.5 mm simulated rainfall was much higher than their input through rainfall. Loss value for the nutrients were in following order: organic-C > Ca > K > Na. The fraction of organic-C transported down the slope was higher in eroded soil (averaging 73%) and of exchangeable bases in runoff water (averaging 86% for Na, 82% for K and 90% for Ca). Flow-weighted concentrations of all the studied nutrients were consistently greater from bare stands. Number of fine roots was found to play greater role in the case of organic-C (92%; p < 0.01) and Na (70%; p < 0.05) runoff and their conservation by different plant species but canopy cover played greater role for K (58%; p < 0.08) and Ca (90%; p < 0.01).
Role of traditional healers in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
(1993) A.L. Srivastava; N.K. Srivastava
Health is considered one of the basic needs of human beings and access to health services an undeniable right of every one. Improvement on human health front has not occurred equally every where and benefits have not percolated to every one. The rural population has least benefitted from the advancements of modern sciences. The health condition of rural areas is very poor. to achieve the goal of 'Health for all' the confidence and accumulated wisdom of traditional healers are to be used in proper direction. If proper facilities are provided to traditional healers they may help in easing pressure on overburdened clinics by treating minor, self limiting psychosomatic and certain other kinds of ailments in which traditional therapies are effective and appropriate.
Strategies for managing the Rihand River riparian ecosystem deteriorating under rapid industrialization
(Elsevier Science, 1994) R.S. Ambasht; R. Kumar; N.K. Srivastava
The area has undergone tremendous deforestation, dam construction, industrialization, and open-cast coal mining. Industrial and associated anthropogenic forces have degraded riparian vegetation, soils, nutrients, and topography. Field and garden experiments reveal the extent of increased water runoff soil erosion, and nutrient loss and decreased water infiltration and biomass production in this ecosystem. Restoration of native vegetation is recommended through protection against grazing, scraping, herbage removal, and diversion and treatment of effluents. Ageratum and Lantana, among the natives, conserve 92 and 94% soil, 68 and 76% water, 95 and 92% nitrogen, and 97% phosphorus, respectively. -from Authors
Water Quality, Phytoplankton Diversity and Production in G. B. Pant Sagar at Rihand Dam, Pipri
(1991) N.K. Srivastava; R.S. Ambasht; R. Kumar
The man made reservoir, G. B. Pant Sagar at the dam site (24° 15′ N Lat) in the South Mirzapur district of eastern U. P. was investigated in terms of water quality, phytoplankton diversity and production at monthly intervals between January 1987 and December 1987. The reservoir water showed low to moderate dissolved oxygen (4.3 … 7.5 mg/l) and quite low nutrient contents (0.01‐0.2 mg l−1). Phytoplankton diversity narrowly fluctuated (3.17‐3.74) and mean annual production (149.7 g/m3 · aC) showed a meso‐ to eutrophic condition. A significant positive correlation was obtained between gross production and phytoplankton density (r = 0.79; P < 0.001) Multiple regression equation (GPP = 11.292 + 0.043 BAC + 0.075 CHL + 0.073 CYN) indicates that Chlorophyta contributed more to gross production due to the presence of a higher number of individuals. Copyright © 1991 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim