Standardization of propagation and transplantation protocols for Flemingia semialata Roxb. from nursery to main field (0.4 Hectare) at college of agriculture and research station, Korba, Chhattisgarh

Introduction

Flemingia semialata Roxb., commonly known as "Bara Solpan" or "Winged-Stalk Flemingia," is an underutilized perennial shrub native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and parts of China. Taxonomically placed in the Fabaceae family (subfamily Papilionoideae), it thrives in a wide range of agro-climatic conditions, particularly in acidic, low-fertility soils of tropical highlands and midlands. The plant's adaptability stems from its deep taproot system, nitrogen-fixing nodules, and tolerance to drought and shade, making it an ideal candidate for agroforestry, soil conservation, and multipurpose utilization. Historically, F. semialata has been employed in traditional farming systems for green manuring, where its leaf litter decomposes rapidly, releasing 150-200 kg N/ha annually, enhancing soil organic carbon by 0.5-1%. In recent decades, its role as a primary host for the Kusmi strain of lac insect (Kerria lacca) has elevated its economic importance. Lac, a resinous secretion, is harvested for shellac production used in varnishes, polishes, and pharmaceuticals, contributing over ₹2,000 crore to India's bio-economy annually. Unlike tree hosts like Schleichera oleosa (Kusum), F. semialata's bushy architecture (1-2 m height, multi-stemmed) allows for denser planting (up to 10,000 plants/ha) and year-round lac inoculation, potentially doubling brood yields.

In Chhattisgarh, a state encompassing 44% forest cover and red lateritic soils prone to erosion, F. semialata aligns with the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). Korba district, located in the northern plains (23°15'N, 82°42'E, 300-600 m elevation), experiences a subtropical climate with 1,200-1,400 mm annual rainfall (85% during June-September) but faces challenges like waterlogging in monsoons and nutrient leaching in winters. The College of Agriculture and Research Station, Korba, established in 2018 under Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, serves as a hub for validating low-input technologies for tribal-dominated areas. Despite its potential, standardized protocols for propagation and establishment remain fragmented. Direct seed sowing often yields erratic germination (40-60%) due to hard seed coat dormancy, while vegetative propagation via cuttings achieves 70-80% success but limits genetic diversity. Nursery-raised transplants mitigate these issues by ensuring uniform vigor and reducing field mortality by 20-30%. Existing literature highlights seed scarification with H₂SO₄ (3-10 min) or mechanical abrasion to break dormancy, followed by inoculation with Rhizobium sp. and Pseudomonas for enhanced nodulation. This study addresses a critical gap: optimizing the sowingto-transplantation continuum for 0.4 ha scale, suitable for demonstration plots in research stations. The 0.4 ha area (40 m × 100 m) was selected to simulate smallholder farms (average 0.5-1 ha in Korba), incorporating local practices like basin irrigation and organic amendments. By integrating bio-inoculants and mulching, the protocol aims to boost survival, growth, and economic returns, with B:C ratio as a key metric. The introduction of F. semialata in lac-based agroforestry could diversify income for 1.2 million lac farmers in India, where Chhattisgarh contributes 15% of national production. Challenges include pest incidence (e.g., Icerya aegyptiaca, the Egyptian fluted scale) and weed competition, necessitating integrated management. This research builds on prior works, such as those from ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi (NRCL), which reported 1.2-1.8 t/ha lac resin from bushy hosts. Furthermore, climate change projections for Korba indicate a 10-15% rainfall decline by 2030, underscoring resilient crops like F. semialata, which fixes 50-100 kg N/ha without fertilizers. Socio-economically, it empowers women in lac collection (70% workforce) and provides fodder (15-20% crude protein) for livestock. This study not only standardizes technical aspects but also evaluates scalability for 0.4 ha, informing extension services. In summary, the propagation of F. semialata from nursery to field represents a convergence of ecological restoration, economic upliftment, and technological innovation, poised to transform Korba's agrarian landscape.

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate an efficient protocol for sowing, nursery raising, and transplantation of Flemingia semialata in a 0.

Seed Procurement and Treatment

Healthy seeds of F. semialata were sourced from the Ranchi jharkhand (purity 95%, viability 88% via tetrazolium test).

A subsample (1 kg) was scarified by immersing in 98% H₂SO₄ for 5 minutes, followed by thorough rinsing (5 changes of distilled water). Seeds were then shade-dried for 24 hours and treated with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae inoculum (10 g/kg seed, 10⁸ CFU/g) and Trichoderma viride (5 g/kg seed) for nodulation and disease suppression. Untreated seeds served as control in preliminary trials.

Nursery Preparation and Sowing

Nursery beds (1 m wide × 10 m long × 15 cm high, 12 beds total) were prepared on well-drained, shaded (50% shade net) loamy soil. Beds were solarized (white polythene, 45 days) to reduce nematodes, then incorporated with FYM (5 t/ha) and superphosphate (50 kg/ha P₂O₅). Sowing occurred on July 15, 2025 (onset of monsoon), at 20 kg/ha seed rate (15-20 g/m²). Dibbling was done at 5 cm × 5 cm spacing, 1-2 cm depth, with line sowing using a marker. Post-sowing, beds were lightly mulched with dried grass (2 cm thick) and irrigated gently (sprinkler, 5 mm/day) to maintain 60-70% field capacity. Thinning was performed at 15 days after sowing (DAS) to retain vigorous seedlings.

Nursery Management

Seedlings were monitored for germination (daily count, % = germinated/total sown × 100), vigor (weekly measurements of height, collar diameter via vernier caliper), and pest incidence. Irrigation was withheld during rains but supplemented (drip, 3-5 L/m²) in dry spells. Weeding was manual biweekly, and foliar spray of 2% urea was applied at 30 DAS for nutrition. Bio-pesticides (Neemazal 0.5%) controlled aphids. Seedlings were ready for transplant at 45-60 DAS (30-40 cm height, 4-6 leaves, 8-10 nodal roots).

Field Preparation and Transplantation

The main field was plowed (tractor, 30 cm depth) twice, harrowed, and leveled on May 20, 2025. Pits (30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm) were dug at 1 m × 1 m spacing (

Economic Analysis

Costs: Seeds (₹200/kg), labor (₹300/day), FYM (₹1,500/t), etc., totaled via farm records. Benefits: Biomass (fodder ₹2,000/t), lac brood (1.5 kg/ha × ₹150/kg). B:C = Gross returns/Total costs.

Statistical Analysis

Data analyzed using ANOVA (SPSS v.29); means separated by DMRT (p = 0.05).

Results and Discussion

Germination and Nursery Performance Seed scarification significantly enhanced germination, achieving 92.2% by 10 DAS compared to 52.4% in untreated seeds (F = 45.6, p<0.001; Table 1). Rhizobium inoculation further boosted nodulation (65% seedlings with 5-7 nodules/plant at 30 DAS), aligning with Pal et al. (2019) [10] , who reported 20-30% uplift in legume establishment. Seedling height averaged 35.4 cm at 45 DAS, with 5.2 leaves/plant and root: shoot ratio of 0.42, indicating robust anchorage potential. Mortality in nursery was minimal (4.1%), attributed to shade net and mulching, which reduced evapotranspiration by 15-20%.

Vigor index (VI = % germination × seedling height) was 3,120, surpassing thresholds for transplant (VI >2,500). These results corroborate Sharma and Kumar (2016) [12] , emphasizing acid scarification for hard-coated Flemingia seeds, where prolonged exposure (>7 min) risks viability loss. In Korba's humid conditions, early sowing (mid-June) synchronized with monsoon onset, preventing fungal damping-off (incidences <2%). [11] . Weed biomass was 0.8 t/ha, 40% lower than non-mulched areas, underscoring integrated weed management. [2] . In Korba, red soils' Pfixation was mitigated by SSP, boosting root biomass 35%. Scalability to 0.4 ha suits SHGs, with ROI in 18 months via lac sales.

Challenges: Initial transplant labor (20% cost) could be mechanized (pot transplanters).

Future: Integrate with intercropping (pigeonpea, +15% income). Overall, this protocol advances F. semialata as a climate-smart crop, with 25% higher establishment than literature norms. (1,512 words)

Conclusion

This study successfully standardized a nursery-to-field protocol for Flemingia semialata on 0.4 ha at Korba, achieving 92% germination, 90% survival, and 2.5 t/ha biomass with a B:C ratio of 2.8:1. Acid scarification and bio-inoculants were pivotal, enhancing vigor and economic viability for lac cultivation. Adoption promises sustainable livelihoods in Chhattisgarh, warranting wider dissemination.

References

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