Project 1: Assessment on carbon pool potential of important tree species at different ages, sites and management regimes [IFGTB/RP- 41/2006-2011]

Status: Identified 70 plantations of Casuarina, Eucalyptus and Teak for carbon sequestration studies and growth parameters were made in selected plantations. Soil samples from these selected plantations were analyzed mainly for carbon and other major nutrients.

Project 2: Assessment of insect pest problems of selected fast growing indigenous tree species in Tamil Nadu and Kerala [IFGTB/RP- 42/2006-2009]

Status: Pest surveys at nurseries, plantations and in natural forest eco-system were carried out in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Insect pest species damaging Dalbergia sissoo, Ailanthus excelsa, Gmelina arborea, Melia dubi, Bombax cieba and Morus alba were collected and identified. Necessary data on intensity of attack of the pest, nature of damage caused and abiotic factors was also collected and documented.

Project 3: Origin, distribution and genetic diversity of Jatropha curcas in India [IFGTB/RP- 43/2006-2009]

Status: Local provenances were surveyed in Tamil Nadu and identified for assemblage for isozyme studies. Standardised extraction procedures for isozymes and staining procedures for eight isozymes. Seeds and vegetative material were collected from Kerala and maintained in the nursery. Vegetative material obtained from TFRI, Jabalpur and IWST, Bangalore was rooted in the nursery for isozyme studies. Six populations each comprising 30 individuals from the state of Tamil Nadu and two populations from the state of Kerala have been screened for the genetic diversity.