Project 1: Germplasm collection and production of improved planting stocks of Terminalia chebula Retz and Terminalia bellerica [IFGTB/EF-RP-25/2005-2008]

Status: Vegetative propagation in Terminalia chebula and T. bellerica was attempted through rooting of branch cuttings, in situ air layering, grafting (wedge grafting) and budding. Seedlings of both the species were raised in nursery and used as root stock for grafting. Effect of biofertilizers on seedling growth in nursery has been studied. Selection criteria for plus tree selection for fruit yields and quality have been standardized. Methods for estimation of medicinally active major biochemical compounds have been standardized.

Project 2: Reproduction and Population Structure in Bruguiera and Ceriops: Implication on Conservation [IFGTB/EF-RP-26/2005-2008]

Status: Studies on reproductive aspects have been initiated in two sites namely Pitchavaram and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

Project 3: Genome evaluation and characterization in Casuarinas and Eucalyptus for improving productivity and conservation [BT/PR2981/Agr/ 16/223/2002; DBT funded/ 2003 2007]

Status: The project is aimed at developing specific markers for species and traits in Eucalyptus and Casuarina. Developed three species specific SCAR markers in C. equisetifolia and C. junghuhniana. In E. tereticornis, the putative non adventitious root specific SSR marker was validated in provenancesand its high correlation with non-rooting trait was ascertained. Further, allelic diversity of CCR gene (involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway) was determined in the populations of E. tereticornis to identify high cellulose specific markers.

Project 4: Identification of broad spectrum antifungal proteins from elite medicinal plants for control of plant pathogens [BT/PR/3444/AGR/16/ 282/2002; DBT funded/ 2003 2007]

Status: An antifungal peroxidase was purified from leaf tissues of Withania somnifera by gel filtration, ion exchange and lectin affinity chromatography. The purified protein inhibited the hyphal extension of Trichosporium vesiculosum. The effect of the protein on hyphal cell wall was elucidated in SEM studies.

Project 5: Refinement of in vitro multiplication protocol for Bambusa nutans and Dendrocalamus giganteus [IFGTB/EF-RP-17/2004-2007]

Status: Multishoot cultures for two clones of D. giganteus and two clones of Bambusa nutans were established and high frequency continuous shoot multiplication through axillary bud proliferation was obtained. In vitro rooting procedures were refined to obtain high percentage of rooting and acclimatization in B. nutans. Indirect organogenesis was obtained in D. giganteus for continuous shoot production. Biochemcical studies to identify the cause of shoot necrosis were conducted.

Project 6: Field Performance of Micro and Macro-Propagated planting stock of selected five commercially important Bamboo Species [IFGTB/EF-RP 18/2004-2007]

Status: Field demonstration trials were established in an area of 4.0 ha using micropropagated and conventionally raised plants of three species namely D. strictus, D. stocksii and B. bambos. The survival rates were observed. Two years old tissue culture raised plants were tested for shoot production and growth rates.

Project 7: Selection and clonal propagation of commercially important medicinal plants (Funding Agency: National Medicinal Plants Board, Government of India) [IFGTB/EF-RP 19/2004-2007]

Status: Rooting of branch cuttings of Tinospora cordifolia was carried out. Phytochemical analysis of the genotype from forest campus completed. Identification of alkaloids, flavanoids and saponins completed. Identification of carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, steroids and tannins etc. was completed. Rooting trials of Terminallia bellerica were carried out.

Project 8: Germplasm conservation and establishment of seed stands for production of quality seeds and seedlings [IFGTB/EF-RP-9/2003-2007]

Status: The accessions of 10 medicinal plants assembled and seed stand established under the project are being maintained in the nursery.

Estimation of active principles in Gymnema sylvestre, the biochemical screening of secondary metabolites from the gene bank was investigated. The main component in the accessions namely gymnemic acid content was estimated. Significant variations were observed.

Project 9: Ecorestoration for Tsunami devastated coastline of Andaman Group of Islands (Funding agency: Department of Biotechnology, Government of India) [IFGTB/EF-RP 20/2004-2007]

Status: To stabilize the vulnerable coastline and to provide employment opportunities to the Tsunami victims and the villagers, the Department of Biotechnology sponsored the project with a target of planting 60 ha area with Casuarina equisetifolia in Andaman Group of Islands. The research input is provided in the establishment of nurseries and for the improvement of Casuarina seedlings. This year 24.7 ha area is planted in different islands of North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman. In total so far 31.2 ha has been covered under Casuarina plantation. Training imparted to the staff of Forest Department of Andaman Nicobar Islands for production of improved seedlings of Casuarina. Employment was generated through various activities.

 

Project 10: Establishment of bamboo model plantation in different agro climatic regions of Tamil Nadu using quality planting stock (Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology, Government of India) [IFGTB/EF-RP- 21/2005-2008]

Status: Quality planting stock in the form of seedlings, macro propagated and tissue culture raised plants of 7 bamboo species viz., Bambusa balcooa, B. vulgaris, B. bambos, B. nutans, B. tulda, Dendrocalamus strictus and D. stocksii are maintained from various sources. Land offered by farmers for raising of bamboo plantations based on advertisement in local dailies was undertaken for 20 ha in four districts of Tamil Nadu namely Coimbatore, Karur, Cuddalore and Salem apart from the land offered by the Forest Department in Puducherry. After completing field preparatory works including application of farmyard manure and vermicompost, etc., planting was carried out. Tenders have been floated for supply of TC plants for all seven bamboo species and seedlings of Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus are being raised for 2007-2008 planting.

Project 11: Development of yield assessment methods for Eucalyptus species and Anacardium occidentale using Image analyzer (Funding agency: Tamil Nadu Forest Plantation Corporation- TAFCORN) [IFGTB/EF-RP- 22/2005-2007]

Status: Digital camera was used to estimate basal area of Eucalyptus pulpwood plantations. Image of the plantations were taken with flash after sunset. The image profiles were analyzed for RGB values at breast height. The relationship between the light reflectance and the ground distance was analysed. The light reflectance spectrum was analysed as peak values and curve structure. Preliminary studies showed that the basal area could be estimated with an average of 5% deviation from the actual basal area.

Image of Eucalyptus plantation taken using SLR digital
camera for estimation of basal area measurement

Project 12: Bamboo Location Trials (BLT) (Funding Agency: National Mission on Bamboo Applications (NMBA); Technology, Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC); Department of Science and Technology, Government of India) [IFGTB/EF-RP 23/2005-2007]

Status: Multilocational trials involving 8 species of bamboos viz., Bambusa bambos, B. balcooa, B. nutans, B. tulda, B. vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, D. hamiltonii and Guadua angustifolia, and trials on micro and macro propagated plants, on nutrient management and on organic v/s inorganic farming methods were carried out. The survival rate and the growth performance of different bamboo species at 3 months and 6 months after planting was collected and documented.

Project 13: Development of post harvest techniques for seed production in Jatropha curcas [IFGTB/EF-RP24/2005-2008]

Status: Flowering and fruiting phenology studies indicated that Jatropha curcas has high reproductive efficiency with reference to the selected locality, Anaikatti. Fruits at yellow stage gave significant germination indicating the attainment of physiological maturity. Studies on effect of fruit colour (maturity) oil content and quality showed that the colour of the fruits processed for oil extraction had considerable effect on oil characteristics. The results indicate that fruits need to be harvested at yellow stage or when turning black and is safer to avoid collecting fruits at dry stage. Studies on effect of drying method on Jatropha oil showed that sun drying proved best for oil recovery and black pulpy fruits responded well for this method of drying. Both Iodine No. and Peroxide value were significantly high in oven drying method indicating detrimental effect on oil and tendency towards rapid rancidification. It is safer to adopt sun and shade drying methods where the oil characteristics are not affected by drying methods. To understand the efficacy of seed coat removal the oil content in shell, kernel and seed as a whole were determined. Studies revealed that shell has very negligible quantity of oil and it is the kernel that contributes the maximum oil content.