Pantnagar Journal of Research

Abstract

An experiment titled “Foliar supplementation of micronutrients on palash for enhanced productivity of rangeeni lac, Kerria lacca” was conducted during 2023–24 in the village of Gadpichhawadi, Kanker district, Chhattisgarh. The study was conducted to analyze the effect of various micronutrient treatments on lac productivity using Palash (Butea monosperma), the host plant for the Katki crop. Brood lac inoculation (BLI) was carried out, and multiple productivity parameters were assessed. Among the treatments, T₁ (Zinc) consistently outperformed others. The average number of stick lac per plant was greatest in T₁ (27.00) and lowest in the control, T₇ (15.33). Similarly, T₁ produced mean maximum stick lac length (55.00 cm), weight per 30 cm (42.33 g), scraped weight per 30 cm (20.33 g), The mean fresh weight of 100 lac cells was 6.73 g, while their dry weight was (3.98 g) were all significantly higher in T₁ . The highest mean yield of stick lac per plant was recorded in T₁ (5.70 kg) and minimum in T₇ (2.40 kg). T₁ recorded the greatest sex ratio of lac insects, with a value of 3.08 per 2.5 cm^², followed by T₄ (2.99), and lowest in T₇ (2.30). In economic terms, the highest net profit per tree was obtained in T₁ (Rs. 1769.39), followed by T₄ (Rs. 1730.39), and lowest in T₇ (Rs. 661.44). The cost-benefit ratio was also maximum in T₁ (1:7.84), indicating the superior efficiency of zinc application. The results clearly demonstrate that zinc treatment significantly enhances both productivity and profitability in lac cultivation on Palash trees.