Higher Production of Flemingia semialata Seeds by Mulching with Silver / Black Polyethylene

Abstract

India is highest producer (16352 tons) of lac in the world. Lac production is one of the most important sources of livelihoodof tribal people in India. For lac production tribal people mostly depend on host plants which mostly grow in forest areas. These trees are reducing in number due to deforestation. Also, lac production from these trees is difficult as it requires climbing on trees. Further, gestation period of these trees is 5-15 years. These problems of lac production can be mitigated to a larger extent by adopting semialata as host plant. Semialata is bushy leguminous plant of 5-6 ft. height. Semialata can be grown in any type of land except marshy land. The plant of semialata becomes ready for lac cultivation in one year. Being short in height all lac culture operations can be carried out from ground itself which can be performed by women also. The seeds of semialata are costly (Rs.2000-4000/Kg) and are not easily available.