Abstract

B.monosperma is an indigenous tree, hardy, widely adaptable with profuse branching. This leguminous tree may be included in afforestation as well as wasteland programmes in India.Lac insect thrives better on B.monosperma and produce lac which is a cash crop thus this tree will also be exploited for an economic activity as well as environment conservation.

Keywords: Butea monosperma; Lac insect; Rangeeni; Lac host; Nutrient management

Introduction

Butea monosperma is a member of family Fabaceae [1-3] and sub-family Faboideae[4]. B.monosperma is known by numerous local names such as palash [5,6]bastard teak [7] dhak [8], palsa, chheula and khakar etc.It is widely distributed across forest [9],wasteland [10] marshy land [11] and cultivated fields[12].This slow growing [13] multipurpose tree [14,15] is valuable to the locals and forest dependents [16,17]. B.monosperma provides fibre, dye ,thatch and fuel wood for local consumption [18]. It resembles a small bush, reaching a height of 1 to 2 meters with characteristic extensive branching [19]. B.monosperma is identified as one of common lac host tree [20-23] for raising Rangeeni strain [24,25] of Kerria lacca (Kerr), the insect responsible for producing lac [26,27].

Characters of B. monosperma

The trifoliate leaves of B.monosperma are held with long petioles (10-15 cm) and narrow lance-shaped stipules [28]. The leaflets are thick and leathery; the terminal leaflet is broadly ovate (10-20 cm), while the lateral leaflets are smaller (10-15 × 7.5-10 cm), nearly symmetrical, all with rounded tips [29]. The upper surfaces turn smooth with age, and the undersides remain silky with distinct net-like veins [30]. B.monosperma initiates shedding its leaves in winter around December to become completely leafless in March.In the spring new shoot sprouts [31]. B.monosperma blooms during March. Flowers are 2 to 4 cm in diameter of bright orange-red colour with large and rigid racemes [32]. The staggering flower clusters often seen from February to April. The flowering period varies from place to place [33]. During summer when B.monosperma blooms amidst dry bamboo plants in the forest it appears like a fire from a distance. Thus, the tree got its name “flame of forest” [34-36]. The fruit of B.monosperma is a flat, papery legume pod about 15 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. Young pods are covered with soft, velvety hairs, while mature pods hang own. Each pod usually carries one flat seed with an average diameter of 25-40 mm ,15-25 mm width and thickness of 1.5-2 mm. The reddish-brown seed coat is often glossy, and wrinkled, enclosing two large yellowish cotyledons. A hilum is charcterstic feature near the middle of the curved edge of the seed [37]. Bark of tree is ash coloured and secrets red coloured gum when injured [38].

Distribution

B.monosperma a medium-sized deciduous tree is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent [39,40]. This tree is native to India and commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions [41-43]. The tree thrives in dry deciduous forests [44] scrublands and on the fringes of cultivated areas [45]. It is particularly abundant in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and West Bengal [46]. B.monosperma is also reported in neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand [47,48]. B.monosperma is commonly found in drier parts, often gregarious in forests, open grasslands and wastelands also up to an altitude of 1200 m except in extreme arid regions [49]. It can grow in poor, swampy, drained, waterlogged, or black cotton soil [36]. B.monosperma adapts to high saline conditions [50] and low water availability conditions [51]. Seedlings thrive best on a rich loamy soil with pH 6-7 under high temperature and relative humidity [52]. The plant can sustain in areas where an annual rainfall ranges from 450 to 4500 mm [53]. Palash is integrated with crops, pasture, and livestock or planted along field edges [54]. It mostly occurs on agriculture bunds, particularly in paddy fields [22].

Species of Butea

Koenig was the first to use the genus Butea to name the Indian tree called Palash or Dhak. The genus name Butea was in the honour of Lord Bute, a supporter of botany [55]. The genus Butea also shows great variations in their flowers structure, inflorescence, flowers per plant, colour and size of flowers, colour and size of anther, dehiscence of anther, colour and size of stigma and pollen morphology [56]. The specific name monosperma means one seeded and refers to the fruit with a single seed near its apex [57].

There are 33 species of Butea reported till date i.e. B.acuminate, B.africana, B.affinis, B.apoensis, B.braamiana, B.balansae, B.bracteolate, B.crassfolia, B.cuneiforms, B.dubia, B.frondosa, B.ferruginous, B.gyrocarpa, B. harmandii, B.laotica, B.loureirii, B.littoralis, B.listeria, B.minor, B.macroptera,B. merguensis, B. maingayi, B.oblonfolia, B. parviflora, B.pulchra, B. purpuea, B. riparia, B.rosea, B.suberecta,B.superba, B. volubilis and B. varians (58). Among the recognized species, the four ones are commonly reported: B.monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (syn. B. frondosa Wall.), B. superba, B.parviflora and B.minor [55],[59]. The genus Butea includes B. monosperma parviflora, B.minor and B. superba which are widely distributed throughout India [60].

Description of B. monosperma

B. monosperma is a dicot [61] plant. Stem is made of porous, soft wood with a greenish white tint [62]. The tree has short trunk usually crooked and tortuous (elongated and cylindrical) with rough, greyish-brown, fibrous bark showing a reddish exudate, branchlets densely pubescent [63- 65]. The plant attains a girth ranging from 40cm-70cm. It has large irregular low branches with a rather open crown. It adapts remarkably well to various climates, showcasing its extensive geographic spread [66]. B. monosperma has a dense canopy with ample branches and leaves, offering a large surface area for the lac insects to colonize [22]. Pruning of host plant is an essential operation for lac production that determines success of lac crop [67]. B. monosperma being very good at regenerating or producing new shoots after being cut down. It grows to a medium height of 12 to 15 metres and is upright [68]. The tree is an ideal host for lac production due to its abundant summer foliage that protects lac insects from sun and provides sap, its suitability for both summer and winter lac crops, high resistance to pests and diseases, strong coppicing ability, ease of climbing and pruning, and a short gestation period of just 5-6 months between harvest and re-inoculation [22].

B. monosperma as host of Kerria lacca (Kerr.)

B. monosperma is the most widely distributed ecologically dominant among Butea species in India. B. monosperma is potential lac host tree [3]. B. superba and B. parviflora are woody climbers. B. parviflora resembles B. superba in vegetative features but is distinguished by its panicled inflorescence bearing smaller and more numerous flowers. B. minor is a less common species with limited documentation and differs in certain morphological characteristics that set it apart from the other three species [55].

Strains of lac insect

The lac insect (K. lacca Kerr) secretes the commercially valuable resin known as lac [69,70]. These exists in two principal strains: Kusmi and Rangeeni [71]. Both strains differ significantly on host plant, nutritional requirements, quality of the lac produced, time taken to reach crop maturity and productivity [22], [72-74]. The Rangeeni strain is most commonly reared on B.monosperma [75,.76] due to its adaptability, shorter life cycle and higher lac yield. Lac is produced through two main crop cycles: the katki crop inoculated in June-July and harvested in October-November [77,78] and the baisakhi crop inoculated in October-November and harvested in April to May [79-81]. The resin from Rangeeni strain is of a slightly inferior quality being darker [84 - 86]. However, Rangeeni lac is favoured for bulk lac production due to the high yield and faster turnover. Out of entire lac productions in India, 80-85 percent is from Rangeeni strain which is contributed mainly by Palash [85]. Baisakhi lac crop contributes 76 percent of the total lac production in India. The share of katki is just 19 percent [86].

Lac yield in nutrient managed condition

Nutrient management of host plants of lac insects is an important operation for increasing lac production [87]. The application of a plant growth regulator (Chlormequat chloride 50% SL) resulted in the highest lac yield, with a mean raw lac production of 4.01 kg per plant and 21.57 g per 30 cm sticklac, followed by zinc (3.41 kg/plant,16.88 g/sticklac) and boron (3.24 kg/plant, 15.14 g/sticklac). The Control treatment (water spray) produced the lowest lac yield (2.03 kg/plant and 7.53 g/sticklac), indicating the superior efficacy of plant growth regulators and micronutrient supplementation in enhancing lac production on B. monosperma [88]. Foliar application of nutrients significantly enhanced lac yield on B. monosperma the highest mean raw lac yield per plant was recorded in the double spray PGR treatment (1.95 kg), followed by double spray nitrogen (1.82 kg), single spray nitrogen (1.77 kg), single spray PGR (1.73 kg) and the lowest in the Control (0.95 kg). Both single and double applications of chlormequat chloride (50% SL) positively influenced lac yield compared to the Control [75].

The highest mean raw lac yield was recorded with zinc (2.10 kg/tree), followed by zinc + humic acid (1.82 kg/tree) and boron (1.61 kg/tree), while the Control produced the lowest yield (0.58 kg/tree). These results highlight the positive impact of micronutrient application, especially zinc, on lac production [89]. Pruned twigs and leaves were reused as natural mulch to cover the soil. Among the two lac crops, baisakhi lac yield was higher (31.6 kg) compared to katki lac (29.2 kg). The mean lac productivity per B. monosperma tree was 1.92 kg for the baisakhi crop and 1.83 kg for the katki crop. Typically, the average lac productivity per B. monosperma tree is around 5 kg [23]. Liming increased rangeeni lac yield on B.monosperma by 71 percent in 6-month-old shoots, with minimal effect on older shoots. Potassium application in the absence of liming enhanced yield up to 2.8 times compared to the Control, while liming without potassium also significantly improved productivity, indicating that both treatments independently contribute to better host nutrition and increased lac secretion [90].

Lac yield in Intercropped condition

The study revealed that integrating lac cultivation on locally available host trees, such as palash (B. monosperma), along the bunds of rice fields proved to be a profitable approach for enhancing the family income of lac-growing farmers. The net return from rice cultivation combined with lac production on Palash trees was ₹11,284 and ₹3804.0 for rice crop. Furthermore, the benefit per rupee of investment was calculated to be ₹2.41 for rice with lac production on palash and ₹2.08 for rice crop only [91].

In Central India’s drought-prone areas, lac production on B. monosperm based agroforestry is very beneficial for livelihood security. A single B.monosperma tree may yield1.5-2.5 kg, generating an annual income of ₹700-800 (10-12 US$) [ 92].

Conclusion

B.monosperma being very hardy, high adaptable and a leguminous multipurpose tree, may be conserved. The tree is ideal suited for afforestation as well as wasteland reclamation programme, atleast in India. B.monosperma due to its deep root system survives even arid regions. This should be exploited for Lac programmes. Lac is a cash crop hence its promotion as a livelihood enterprise will promote both economics and environment in the area.

References

1. Wei D Ding, X Zhu H, Zhang Z, Yang H, Geng Z et al. (2020) The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Butea monosperma (Fabaceae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B 5(3): 3255-3256.
2. Kumari P, Raina K, Thakur S, Sharma R, Cruz-Martins N et al (2022) Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Palash (Butea Monosperma (Lam.) Taub.): A Systematic Review. Current Pharmacology Reports 8(3): 188-204.
3. Hiremath KY, Hegde P, Sharma M, Inamdar S R (2019) A modified method for purification of N-acetylgalactosamine specific lectin from Butea monosperma seeds and its effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology 28(4): 397- 404.
4. Sharma AK, Deshwal N (2011) An overview: On phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Butea monosperma. International Journal of Pharm Tech Research 3(2): 864-871.
5. Manu SK, Victoria SN, RM (2022) Investigation of bio-corrosion in galvanized steel by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and its mitigation by Butea monosperma leaf extract as green inhibitor. Journal of the Indian Chemical Society 99(9): 100652.
6. Sharma D, Patel S, Verma K, Gudlawar S, Chakraborty D et al. (2019) Antibacterial and antidiarrheal activity of Butea Monospermea bark extract against waterborne enterobacter Cloacae in rodents: In-vitro, Ex-vivo and In-Vivo evidences. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 241: 112014.
7. Kasture VS, Kasture S, Chopde C (2002) Anticonvulsive activity of Butea monosperma flowers in laboratory animals. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 72(4): 965-972.
8. Bhale UN, Chatage VS, Rajkonda JN (2012) First Report of Phytoplasma Associated with Leaf Roll on Dhak (palas) in India. International Journal of Plant Pathology and Microbiology 3(1): 115.
9. Khan AU (2010) Evaluating the last remnants of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze Forest for their inset conservation: a case study. Environ Monit Assess 170(1-4): 171-
10. Mondal S, Palit D, Chattopadhyay P (2019) Species diversity and vegetation structure of coal mine generated wasteland of Raniganj Coal Field, West Bengal, India. International Journal of Current Research and Review 11(13): 13-25.
11. Kumara V, Gowda H T R, Pramod A F (2011) Diversity and dominance of flora around wetlands in Lakkavalli Range of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. International Multidisciplinary Research Journal 1(6): 22-28.
12. Janghel SK (2013) Study on comparative efficacy of insecticides in the predator management of Katki lac crop in Malhara village, Barghat block, Seoni district, MP.
13. Kumar D, Bharti U (2015) Tropic Niche Specialization of Butea monosperma from Chandigarh. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 3(4): 83-85.
14. Kumar A, Samanta K (2012) A multipurpose medicinal tree Butea monosperma. International Journal of Drug Discovery and Herbal Research 2(2): 436-441.
15. Singh L, Ghosh L, Bargali SS, Saxena RR (2008) Response of paddy planted under Butea monosperma trees in Chhattisgarh. Int J Ecol Environ Sci 34(1):63-66.
16. Vaishali, Khan S, Sharma, V (2008) RAPD based assessment of genetic diversity of Butea monosperma from different agro-ecological regions of India. Indian Journal of Biotechnology 7: 320-327.
17. Yadav R S, Rajpurohit S, Kamboj RD (2019) Valuation of non-timber forest products collected by forest dwellers of Surat Forest Circle of Gujarat State, India. Indian Forester 145(6): 578-583.
18. Lohot VD, Thombare N, Ghosh J, Thakur V V, Pankaj S (2020) Palas (Butea monosperma): A medicinally important, gum and resin producing tree.
19. Tiwari P, Jena S, Sahu P (2019) Butea Monosperma: Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Acta Scietific Pharmaceutical Science 3 (4): 19-26.
20. Sequeira, Bezkorowajnyj (1998) Improved management of Butea monosperma/Taub for lac production in India, Forest Ecology and Management 102: 225-234.
21. Kumar A, Kumar A (2013) Lac insect host plants of India. In: Kumar, A and Das, R. (edr.) Prospects of scientific lac cultivation in India. Institute of Forest Productivity pp: 21-26.
22. Jaiswal AK, Singh JP (2015) Butea monosperma and lac cultivation.
23. Thomas M, Sharma P, Vishwakarma N, Shukla R, Singh DK, et al. (2018) Environmental and economic benefits accrued by tribal women in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh through Rangeeni lac production on Butea monosperma, Journal of Tropical Forestry34(3): 31-40.
24. Singh J, Monobrullah M, Jaiswal AK (2013) New record of insect pests attacking Butea monosperma – a commercial host for culturing lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr). Indian J Entomol 75(3): 225-231.
25. Sharma H, Ghugal SG, Gurjar R, Thomas M, Rajawat BS (2015) Performance of Kerria lacca (Kerr) in response to foliar application of nutrients on Butea monosperma. An International Quarterly Journal of Environmental Sciences 8: 355-359.
26. Thomas M, Engle Y, Rathore V, Khobragade D, Kunal B et al. (2012) Biotic Stress Management in Lac Production. JNKVV Res J 46(3): 277-285.
27. Bashir NH,Chen H, Munir S, Wang W, Chen H et al. (2022) Unraveling the role of lac insects in providing natural industrial products. Insects 13(12): 1117.
28. Gupta P, Chauhan NS (2012) Phytochemical and pharmacological review on Butea monosperma (Palash). International Journal of Agronomy and Plant Production 3(7): 255-258.
29. Ninkaew S, Chantaranothai P (2015) The genus Butea Roxb. ex Willd. (Leguminosae–Papilionoideae) in Thailand. Chiang Mai Journal of Science 42(2): 367-375.
30. Anuragi H, Ramanan SS, Arunachalam A, Rajarajan K (2023) Palash (Butea monosperma). [monograph], ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute Jhansi 284003 Uttar Pradesh India pp: 1-128.
31. Bohra N, Giri V, Yadav A, Yadav P (2024) Studies on Seed quality and germination parameters using different treatments in Butea monosperma. Asian Journal of Basic Science & Research 06(01): 159-172.
32. Chouhan D, Jadaun MS, Shah T (2021) Standardization of Butea monosperma flowers and its use as a paper colorant. International Journal of Research in Pharma & Pharmaceutical Sciences 1(2): 46-67.
33. Rachitha C. J, Krishnaswamy K (2022). Study on phenology of some papilionoid taxa (Papilionoideae–Leguminosae). The Journal of Plant Science Research 38(2): 819-826.
34. Sinha K, Saha P D, Datta S (2012) Extraction of natural dye from petals of Flame of forest (Butea monosperma) flower: Process optimization using response surface methodology (RSM). Dyes and Pigments 94(2): 212-216.
35. Chaturvedi V, Verma P (2015) Fabrication of silver nanoparticles from leaf extract of Butea monosperma (Flame of Forest) and their inhibitory effect on bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Bioresour Bioprocess 2(18).
36. Kumar EV, Soundarya T, Swamy BK, Anitha N, Nagaraju G (2024) Butea monosperma aided green synthesis of α-MoO3 nanoparticles: Biosensing and photocatalytic activity towards hazardous dyes and rangoli colorants. Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management 21: 100930.
37. Khodade H (2015) A review on medicinal important and chemical contains in Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. International Journal of All Research Education and Scientific Methods (IJARESM) 3(12).
38. Jhade D, Ahirwar D, Sharma NK, Jain R, Gupta S (2009) Butea monosperma (Lam.) taubert: a review. J Pharm Res 2(7): 1181–1183.
39. Jamal F, Pandey PK, Singh D, Ahmed W (2015) A Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor from Butea monosperma seed and its influence on developmental physiology of Helicoverpa armigera. Process Biochemistry 50(2): 311-316.
40. Das M, Smita SS (2018) Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using bark extracts of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. and study of their antimicrobial activity. Appl Nanosci 8: 1059-1067.
41. Sindhia VR, Bairwa R (2010) Plant review: Butea monosperma. Int J Pharm Clin Res 2: 90-94.
42. Sutariya BK, Saraf MN (2015) A Comprehensive review on pharmacological profile of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. J Appl Pharm Sci 5(09): 159-66.
43. More BH, Sakharwade SN, Tembhurne SV, Sakarkar DM (2012) Ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology of Butea monosperma (Lam) Kuntze: A comprehensive review. American Journal of PharmTech Research 2(1): 138-159.
44. Mishra AP (2023) Understanding the decline of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze in GorakhpurDistrict, India: an ecological investigation. J Forest Geosci.
45. Chandra KK (2018) Status of agroforestry outside in forest area of Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) and constraints fornon-adoption. Journal of Forest and Environmental Science 34(5): 412-417.
46. Burli DA, Khade AB (2007) A comprehensive review on Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze. Phcog Rev 1: 333-337.
47. Srivastava A, Sur A, Nayak K (2022) Butea monosperma: A Plant of Traditional and Medicinal Significance. New BioWorld a Journal of Alumni Association of Biotechnology 4(2): 8-14.
48. Karmakar S (2025) Two rare varieties of Butea monosperma: Butea monosperma alba and Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. var. lutea [Witt.] which need immediate conservation. International Journal of Scientific Development and Research 10(2): a611-a613.
49. Khare CP (2007) Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated dictionary Springer-Verlag Berlin: Heidelberg.
50. Hirpara K D, Ramoliya P J, Patel A D, Pandey A. N (2005) Effect of salinisation of soil on growth and macro- and micro-nutrient accumulation in seedlings of Butea monosperma (Fabaceae). Anales de Biología, 27: 3-14.
51. Lahori P. and Jain S (2023) Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub: Review on its chemistry, morphology, ethnomedical uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. Journal of Innovation and invention in Pharmaceutical Sciences 13(4).
52. Vaghela PM, Patel NT, Pandey IB, Pandey AN (2010) Implications of calcium nutrition on the response of Butea monosperma (Fabaceae) to soil salinity. In Anales de Biología 32: 15-27.
53. Das S, Khan ML, Rabha A, Bhattacharjya DK (2009) Ethnomedicinal plants of Manas National Park, Assam Northeast India. Indian J Tradit Knowl 8(4): 514-517.
54. Pal M, Yadav S (2023) A potential agroforestry species Butea monosperma (Palash) for farmers' prosperity. AgriTech Publication.
55. Sanjappa M (2001) A new species of Butea, with notes on the genus. Kew Bulletin 56(1): 195-199.
56. Patel RM, Patel DM (2023) Phenology and reproductive biology of three species of Butea, Banaskantha (N.G.). Strad Research 8(10): 142-146.
57. Anonymous (1988) The Wealth of India (Raw materials series), Vol, CSIR, New Delhi, Reprinted 2B: 341-346.
58. Fageria D, Rao DV (2015) A Review on Butea monosperma (Lam.) Kuntze: A Great Therapeutic Valuable Leguminous Plant. The International Journal of Scientific and Research Publication 5: 1-9.
59. Somayaji A, Hegde K (2016) A review on phrmacological profile of Butea monosperma. International Journal of Phytopharmacology 7: 237-249.
60. Jain S, Dubey PK (2023 Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub: Review on its chemistry, morphology, ethnomedical uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities, Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics 13(4): 137-144.
61. Ahmad W, Waseem A, Fazil M, Khan A.A (2022) Dhāk Butea monosperma-A Review on ethnobotanical and unani prospect as well as phytochemical and pharmacological properties. Indian Journal of Unani Medicine 15(02): 121-131.
62. Rai A, Pandey VC, Singh A K, Ghoshal N, Singh N (2020) Butea monosperma: A leguminous species for sustainable forestry programmes. Environment, Development and Sustainability. Environment Development and Sustainability 23(6): 8492-8505.
63. Saxena HO,Bramham M (1995) The Flora of Orissa, Orrisa Forest Development Corporation Ltd & Regional Research laboratory, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
64. Singh K, Srivastava A.K. (2022) Therapeutic uses of Butea monosperma. Era’s Journal of Medical Research 9(2): 218-223.
65. Lohot V D, Thamilarasi K, Ghosh J, Mohansundaram A, & Sharma K (2016) Monograph on Palas, Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taubert pp: 1-111.
66. Shelke N S, Gogawale N S, Chavan NPS (2024) Phytochemical and Phrmacological Review on Butea Monosperma (PALASH). International Journal of Advanced Research in Science Communication and Technology, pp. 165-176.
67. Ghosh J, Lohot V D, Ghosal S. Singhal V, Thamilarasi K (2018) Pruning for tree vigour and lac productivity of Palas variant Swadi (Butea monosperma) in Chhotanagpur Plateau of Jharkhand. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 7(1S): 1714-1717.
68. Chaudhary H, Vaidya R, Tank N (2024) A review on plant tissue culture: A technique for propagation and conservation of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. var. lutea (Witt.). Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research 102(4): 628-638.
69. Thomas M, Sharma P, Vishwakarma N, Shukla R, Singh DK et al. (2018) Environmental and economic benefits accrued by tribal women in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh through Rangeeni lac production on Butea monosperma, Journal of Tropical Forestry 34(3): 31-40.
70. Hiremath KY, Hegde P, Sharma M, Inamdar S R (2019) A modified method for purification of N-acetylgalactosamine specific lectin from Butea monosperma seeds and its effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology 28(4): 397-404.
71. Shah TH,Thomas M,Bhandari R (2015) Economic analysis of kusmi lac production on Zizyphus mauritiana (Lamb.) under different fertilizer treatments. Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Science 4: 37-41.
72. Kakade S, Patidar R, Vajpayee S, Thomas M, Tripathi N et.al. (2020) Survival of lac insects Kerria lacca (Kerr.) on Cajanus cajan (L) Millsp. Int. J Curr. Microbiol.App Sci (12): 173-182.
73. Patel B (2013) Comparative performance of Kusmi and Rangeeni lac on Ber, Zizyphus mauritiana at Kachana village Barghat Block, Seoni district, MP, M.Sc. (Ag.) Thesis submitted in JNKVV, Jabalpur.
74. Meshram Y K, Gupta R, Katlam B P (2018) Performance of different host plants of lac (Kerria lacca Kerr.) insect in Korba district of Chhattisgarh. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research 9(8): 28453-28456.
75. Netam PK, Chandrakar HK, Katlam BP (2019) Comparative performance of different host plants of lac insect Kerria lacca (Kerr). At Kanker district of Chhattisgarh. J Entomol Zool Stud 7(6): 265-270.
76. Sharma K (2023). Lac insects.In Commercial Insects (pp. 1-16). CRC Press.
77. Gurjar R (2016) Study on the effect of foliar application of Nitrogen and PGR on Butea monosperma on katki crop production. M.Sc (Ag) Thesis. Thesis submitted in JNKVV, Jabalpur, M.P.
78. Sharma H, Ghugal SG, Thomas M, Pachori R (2015) Impact of nutrient management in Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. on the survivability of Kerria lacca (Kerr). An International Quarterly Journal of Life Science 8 (23): 6682-6687.
79. Kumar S, Thomas M, Lal N, Virendra, Markam VK. (2017). Effect of nutrition in Palash (Butea monosperma) on the survivability of lac insect. The Pharma Innovation Journal 6(8): 320-324.
80. Basrani S, Thomas M,Kesharwani S (2025) Nutrient management and survival of lac insects. International Journal of All Research Education & Scientific Methods 13(1).
81. Khobragade D (2010) Studies on the Incidence on major predators of Kerria lacca Kerr. and their management in Baishakhi lac crop in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh. M.Sc. (Ag.) Thesis submitted in JNKVV, Jabalpur.
82. Mohanta J, Mohanty N, Dey DG (2013). Life cycle of lac insect, Kerria lacca Kerr in Similipal biosphere reserve. Indian Journal of Entomology 75(1): 26-30.
83. Biyani R, Swami H, Lekha, Chhangani G, Lodha M et al. (2022). Comparative studies of life cycle of lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) on different host during Baisakhi season. The Pharma Innovation Journal 11(7S): 3699-3703.
84. Sharma KK, Jaiswal AK, Kumar K.K (2006) Role of lac culture in biodiversity conservation: Issues at stake and conservation strategy. Curr Sci 91(7): 894-898.
85. Khan FA, Parveen S (2021) Record of natural infestation of the Indian lac insect, Kerria lacca (Kerr) (Coccoidea: Tachardiidae) on Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce, Calliandra surinamensis Benth., and Ficus carica L. in Prayagraj district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Academia Letters 2 Article 3790.
86. Sharma KK (2017) Lac insects and host plants. In: Omkar (Ed.) Industrial Entomology. Springer Singapore 157-180.
87. Aditya S, Katlam BP, Meshram Y K (2023) Effect of different insecticides on survival of lac insect K. lacca (Kerr.) and increase in productivity on Schleichera oleosa. The Pharma Innovation Journal 12(6): 801-805.
88. Sarvade S, Panse R K, Rajak SK,Upadhyay VB (2018) Impact of biotic and abiotic factors on lac production and peoples’ livelihood improvement in India-An overview. Journal of Applied and Natural Science10(3): 894-904.
89. Basrani S, Thomas M, Kesharwani S (2024) Impact of nutrient management of host tree of Kerria lacca on lac cell weight. Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences 15(6): 1299-1304.
90. Ghugal SG, Thomas M, Pachori R (2015) Performance of katki lac on nutrient managed of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. Trends in Biosciences 8(24): 6873- 6877.
91. Sharma H, Rahangdale C P (2016) Yield and economic feasibility of lac production on Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. under foliar application of nutrients. Advances in Life Sciences 5(16).
92. Ghosal, S (2017) Effect of shoot age, liming and potassium application for summer season lac cultivation on Butea monosperma Indian Forester 143(3): 245-248.
93. Kumari K, Jaiswal AK (2019) Profit enhancement of rice-based production system through lac enterprise. Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology 38(6): 1-5.
94. Handa A K, Toky O P, Dhyani S K, Chavan SB, Toky OP (2016) Innovative agroforestryfor livelihood security in India. World Agriculture 15.