Project 1: Genetic improvement of Eucalyptus tereticornis through control hybridization and molecular characterization [IFGTB/RP-3/2002-2005] (Extended upto 2008)

Status: Controlled pollination was carried out in Helenvale, Garnet and Orobay provenances of Eucalyptus tereticornis with E. alba, E. pellita, E. camaldulensis and E. globulus as pollen. About twenty full sib family combinations were performed. Fruit and seed set have been recorded in all the said crosses.

Project 2: Enhancing productivity in Casuarina species through inter-provenance and inter-specific hybridization [IFGTB/RP-30/2003-2008]

Status: Pollination experiments were conducted between the two Casuarina species, C. equisetifolia and C. junghuhniana, forty full-sib families were harvested and characterised for morphological traits using image analyzer. Full-sib families were sown in the nursery along with orchard seeds of the two species as control. About 2500 seedlings have been produced and these plants will be tested in two locations to assess their growth performance. Seventy clones of the two species assembled from different locations were planted in a clone bank cum multiplication garden in the Forest Campus for future needs. Outstanding putative hybrid individuals identified in the progeny trial were felled for coppicing.

Project 3: Status and floristic diversity of sacred groves- The only remnants of natural forests in Alappuzha District, Kerala [IFGTB/ RP-35/2005-2008]

Status: Alappuzha is the only district in Kerala State without natural forests. The sacred groves of the district attract utmost attention as they are the only remnants of natural forests once present. Visited Cherthala, Ambalappuzha, Karthikappally, Mavelikkara, Chengannur and Kuttanad Taluks in Alappuzha district and enumerated 1127 sacred groves, covering 91 villages and detailed floristic studies were undertaken in selected and permitted groves.

Project 4: Genetic improvement of Acacia auriculiformis through half-sib progeny selection [IFGTB/RP-39/2005-2010]

Status: A nursery of half-sib progenies of single tree collections of 133 superior trees selected in first generation orchards based on stem form, branching habit and growth was raised and evaluated for seedling growth. Two progeny trials of these selected trees, one at Panampally and another at Pondicherry were raised.

Project 5: Phenotypic selection, reproduction and propagation in Ailanthus excelsa: Perspectives for safety matches industry and farmers in Tamil Nadu [IFGTB/RP- 40/2005-2009]

Status: Standardization of vegetative propagation was made and considerable seasonal effect was observed. Over 2000 seedlings have been raised with seeds collected from four different locations of the country for establishing the germplasm bank in Tamil Nadu. Seeds are being collected from the identified phenotypically superior trees in different agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu. Highly damaging plant parasite Helicanthes elastica (Desr.) Dans. has been identified in Ailanthus plantation in southern part of Tamil Nadu.

Project 6: Genetic transformation of Eucalyptus and Casuarina to enhance salinity tolerance [IFGTB/ PBT/ RP- 6/2002-2005] (extended upto March 2008)

Status: Parameters determining efficient co-cultivation conditions in Eucalyptus were assessed. Agrobacterium concentration standardised for the survival of co-cultivated explants when compared to Agrobacterium concentration at 297,600 CFU/ml. Sonication conditions were optimized. A few regenerants from co-cultivated explants have been obtained in kanamycin selection medium for Osmotin and AtNHX gene constructs. Experiments conducted to study in vitro regeneration responses, needle explants from mature trees of Allocasuarina huegeliana and A. littoralis showed better callusing frequency than the needles of Casuarina glauca and C. junghuhniana.

Project 7: Studies on the population structure and reproduction of Pterocarpus marsupium in Tamil Nadu and Kerala [IFGTB/RP-37/2005-2008]

Status: Based on reconnaissance survey, populations of Pterocarpus marsupium for long term phenological and reproductive studies were identified. From the identified populations, 28 individual trees have been marked for periodical phenological observations. As per the forest map of South India Terminalia species in the forest type (>600 m above MSL) dry deciduous forests was identified and on the basis of physical barriers separating the distribution of P. marsupium, 19 distinct populations on the western aspect of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been short listed for further studies.

Project 8: Evolving silvicultural practices for Casuarina junghuhniana ssp. timorensis [IFGTB/RP-33/2005-2009]

Status: Seed parameters of Casuarina junghuhniana ssp. timorensis seeds from identified trees at Panampally, Sadivayal and Puducherry were recorded. Nursery trials to study effect of various potting media and container types and sizes on seedling growth performance of C. junghuhniana were carried out. Field evaluation trials to understand the silvicultural requirements of the species were established at 2 locations in Puducherry (Forest department land and in a farmers land) and at a location each in Veeravanallur, Kayalpattinam and Vedaranyam. Trial at sites located both at the coast and inland conditions as well as at different latitudes were carried out to understand the silvicultural requirement of the species.

Project 9: Identification of conserved motifs in genes conferring salt tolerance to develop strategies for gene isolation from salt tolerant tree species [IFGTB/RP-38/2005- 2008]

Status: Data mining of both nucleotide and protein sequences of genes conferring salt tolerance was carried out for potassium transporters, sodium transporters, calcium transporters, proton transporters and transcription factors. Conserved sequences and primers sets were deduced for the above genes using ClustalW and PriFi software. A prototype database named “TIGBAST” (The In Silico Gene Bank for Abiotic Stress Tolerance), which is now able to retrieve information for Sodium antiporter genes, has been developed using the WAMP environment.

Project 10: Studies on seed handling and storage behaviour of important NTFP species [IFGTB/RP-34/2005-2008]

Status: Studies indicated that yellow-green stage of fruit maturity after removing the testa, favoured germination without any pretreatment requirement for Calophyllum inophyllum. Mature seeds were found sensitive to moisture reduction. Storing seeds at specific temperature for one month proved promising for prolonging storage in comparison with ambient storage. Seed storage and biochemical basis of Calophyllum seed deterioration were studied.

Germination on paper medium or by roll towel method was found suitable indicating the need for ventilation. The sprouted seeds were transplanted to root trainers and found to establish well.

Seed extraction and drying methods were standardized for mature fruits of Garcinia gummigutta. Seeds stored at different temperatures were tested for germination and analyzed for biochemical parameters at different storage intervals.

Standardised seeds extraction and processing method for Sapindus emarginatus.

Project 11: Natural regeneration studies on important trees in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala [IFGTB/RP-32/2004-2009]

Status: In Silent Valley National Park, the regeneration status of important trees has been studied and the species have been enumerated to assess the natural regeneration status. Laying out of sample plots and regeneration studies in Poochapara area is in progress.

Project 12: Studies on the diversity of bee fauna of the Nilgiris [IFGTB/RP-36/2005 2008]

Status: Survey was conducted in 9 forest types and in 4 plantations sites in the study areas in Nilgiris. The association of bee species, Apis cerana, A. indica and Trigona sp. on flowers of Bidens biternata, was observed. The carpenter bee, Xylocopa sp. was also found to visit the flowers of Grewia sp., for pollen.