ANNEXURE- I

IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES

Improved technologies or practices can be employed at the following two stages:‑

(i) Nursery stage to improve the planting stock;

(ii) Pre‑planting and planting stages to improve establishment and survival of seedlings;

2. During the nursery stage the following improved technologies/practices can be employed:

‑ Use of quality seeds and clonal planting material

‑ Root trainers

‑ Rhizobium inoculation

‑ Mycorrhizal inoculation

‑ Hormonal treatment

‑ Bio‑fertilizers

‑ Integrated pest control management

3. Root trainers have shown excellent results in development of better root system which helps in better establishment of seedlings. Application of rhizobium and mycorrhiza results in sturdy plants, vigorous growth, better establishment and tolerance to moisture stress. Hormonal treatment is normally used in hardwood cuttings to promote rooting.

4. Creation of irrigation networks (e.g. sprinkler/drip irrigation) and facilities like temporary mist chambers in nurseries will help in improving the quality of the seedlings. However, these facilities should be cost effective and temporary in nature.

5. During pre‑planting and planting stages improved technologies/practices can be employed for treating special problem lands such as saline lands, alkaline lands, water logged areas, mined lands, sand dunes, ravines and gullied areas. Different technology packages are available for treatment of such problem lands. These packages include chemical treatment of soil, elaborate soil and moisture conservation works and special planting techniques.

6. The use of improved technologies/practices in nurseries and treatment of problem lands may require extra expenditure. Additional funds upto a maximum of 25% of the cost norms may be sanctioned for these works.

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