STATE FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Forest research in Tamil Nadu commenced in 1918 and the first Annual Research Report was published in 1919. Since then research activities are mainly focused on various thrust areas based on field requirements from time to time. Research Unit in Chennai formed much before Independence had carried out Research in the cultivation of important trees like Teak, Jack, Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia paniculata, Dalbergia latifolia, Gmelina arborea, etc.
The thrust of current forestry research activities is on reducing pressure on natural resource by increasing productivity through genetic and silvicultural improvement, making available technical know-how for agro forestry, wasteland development, eco-restoration and conservation of forest eco- system.
With a view to increase availability of high quality planting material of economically important tree species for afforestation and reforestation of degraded forest and take up large scale tree cultivation in private lands, the research wing has established seed production areas, clonal seed orchards, seedling seed orchards and hedge stool in various research centres in Tamil Nadu.
Micro and macro propagation for economically important and fast growing species like teak, sandalwood, silver oak, Melia dubia, Ailanthus excelsa, Eucalyptus, Casuarina has been standardized and propagules are being given
RESEARCH THRUST AREAS
I.TREE IMPROVEMENT - Genetic Combing - Progeny Trial - Clonal Evaluation Trial - Seed Orchard
II.BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION - Monoculture to Polyculture - Sandal Nucleus Plot - Population Dynamics Study - Species Recovery Programme
III.MEDICINAL PLANT CONSERVATION - Assemblage of Germplasm - Creation of Plant Seed Centre - Research on Seed Handling - Package of Practice
IV.AFFORESTATION PROGRAMMES - Wasteland Development and Agro forestry - Coastal Afforestation with Shelterbelt and Mangroves - Assemblage of Native Fodder Species - Energy Plantation
V.SOIL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT - Analysis of Forest soil - Organic Farming - Integrated Nutrient Management
VI.SILVICULTURE - Introduction trial - Pre- Sowing Seed Management - Nursery Technology - Vegetative Propagation - Ideal Planting Techniques - Espacement Trial - Tree Architecture - Research on Bamboo VII.NTFP RESEARCH - Sustainable Harvest Studies on Medicinal Plants - Tree Borne Oil Seeds
VIII.FOREST UTILISATION - Post Harvest Timber Management - Economic Appraisal of NTFP - Forest Produce.
IX.ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - Pollution Control Studies - Bio-Remediation of Polluted Habitats
X.ORGANIC TREE HUSBANDRY - Enhancing Bio-Productivity with Application of Organic Manures and Bio-Fertilizers
XI.RESTORATION ECOLOGY - Study of Pollinators and Seed dispersers
XII.CLIMATE CHANGE - Climate Change Management and Mitigating Global Warming with Appropriate Carbon Sequestration Technologies
RESEARCH CENTRES
State Forest Research Institute is having 54 centres spread across all the seven agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. The distribution across agro climatic zone is given below
STATEMENT SHOWING THE DETAILS OF DISTRICT / TALUK WISE LOCATION OF RESEARCH CENTRES Agro - Sl. Area in District Taluk Range Centre climatic No. ha zone I. Deputy Conservator of Forests, State Forestry Research Institute, Kolapakkam,Chennai – 600 127. 1 Kolapakkam 611.93 North Kancheepuram Chengalpet Vandalur Eastern 2 Kattangulathur 20.00 zone 3 Marakkanam 20.00 4 Villupuram Tindivanam Agaram 41.80 Cuddalore 5 Koonimedu 20.00 North 6 Cuddalore Chidambaram Killai 3.00 Eastern 7 Vellore Gudiyattam Vellore Virinjipuram 33.00 Zone 8 Neyveli- A Block 140.00 Cuddalore Panrutti Vridachachalam 9 Neyveli- B Block 20.70 10 Chennai Kancheepuram FUO Range Vandalur - 11 Coimbatore Mettupalayam FUO Range Mettupalayam - TOTAL 910.43 II. Deputy Conservator of Forests, Industrial Wood Research Division, Trichy. 12 Trichy Srirangam Mukkombu 5.70 Cavuery Trichy delta 13 Pudukottai Kulathur Lingamalai 43.04 zone 14 Pudukottai Arimalam Arimalam 96.00 Southern Pudukottai 15 Trichy Manapparai Ammayapuram 55.50 zone 16 Perambular Udayarpalayam Managathy 32.60 Cavuery 17 Thanjavur Thiruvedimarudur Jayakondam Sholapuram 20.00 delta 18 Nagapattinam Srigalai Gopalasamuthram 20.00 zone High altitude 19 Dindigul Kodaikanal Kodaikanal Gundar 34.00 and hilly zone TOTAL 306.84 Agro - Sl. Area in District Taluk Range Centre climatic No. ha zone III. Deputy Conservator of Forests, Agro Forestry Research Division, Madurai. Madurai – Vembarali Bit-I 20 Madurai 25.60 South Madurai North &Bit II zone 21 Melur Melur Perumalmalai 32.00 22 Thangachimadam 18.90 South Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram Ramanathapuram 23 Numbukoil 8.45 zone Southern 24 Tuticorin Sathankulam Tirunelveli Pattakkarai 31.50 zone Southern 25 Dindigul Dindigul East Madurai Endalaparai 3.00 zone Hill 26 Kanayakumari Thovalai Nagercoil Pallakulam 64.00 Rainfall zone 27 Virudhunagar Vathrap Srivilluputtur Pilavakal 9.94 South eastern 28 Sivagangai Sivagangai Sivagangai Melakkadu 34.60 zone (227.99) TOTAL
IV. Divisional Forest Officer, Modern Nursery Research Division, Dharmapuri. 29 Dharmapuri Thoppur 24.8 North Dharmapuri Dharmapuri western 30 Harur Harur 29.25 zone 31 Theni Theni Valkaradu 9.20 Sotuhern Dindugal 32 Pudukottai Keeranur Kalamavoor 5.40 zone 33 Ulunderpet Eddikal 85.00 North Villupuram Kallakurichi eastern 34 Kalakurichy Alwarmalai 10.00 zone North 35 Kancheepuram Tambaram Perungalathur Perungalathur 9.75 eastern zone 36 Ramanahalli 19.00 North Dharmapuri Pappireddipatty Harur Western 37 Kathiripuram 23.50 Zone 38 Denkanikotta Maragatta 38.00 High altitude Krishnagiri Denkanikotta 39 Hosur Gopachandram 1.00 and Hilly Zone 40 Polur Jamunamarathur 75.00 North Tiruvannamalai Chengam Eastern 41 Chengam Melchengam 40.00 Zone
Total 369.9
Agro - Sl. District Taluk Range Centre Area in ha climatic No. zone
V. Conservator of Forests (Genetics), Coimbatore 42 Mettupalayam Pethikottai 35.20 Western 43 Coimbatore Coimbatore Coimbatore Coimbatore 1.00 Zone 44 Mettupalayam Mettupalayam 8.20
45 Udumalpet Amaravathy 9.98 High Altitude Pollachi 46 Pollachi Sircarpathy&Topslip 129.23 and hilly zone
47 Udhagai Governorshola 130.00 High 48 Udhagai Aramby 12.00 Altitude 49 Nilgiris Udhagai Ooty Brookhampton 2.00 and hilly zone 50 Kothagiri Kotagiri 20.51 51 Bhavanisagar 7.00 Western 52 Erode Sathiamangalam Bhavanisagar Vilamundi 50.00 zone 53 Vadavalli 20.00 Salem 54 Salem Valapadi Seshanchavadi 36.00 Research North Erode 55 Erode Bhavani Varattupallam 76.00 Western Research Zone 56 Salem Salem – Kurumbapatty&Hasthampatty 2.50 Salem 57 Omalur Genetics Lokkur 18.50 TOTAL 558.12
GRAND TOTAL 2373.28 TOTAL AREA OF ALL RESEARCH CENTRES = 2373.28 Ha.
TREE IMPROVEMENT
Genetic combing
It is essential to select different candidate plus tree species for different characteristics. Seedlings raised from these species will have superior genetic characteristics. Seeds are being collected from the plus trees to raise high quality seedlings. Work of marking GPS location of each CPT was continued and about 500 CP trees thus identified with reference to different species.
GENETIC COMBING: -Candidate Plus Trees (CPT’s) of the following species have been identified for collection of good quality seeds.
1 Acacia ferruginea 8 Albizzia lebbeck 15 Calophyllum inophyllum 2 Acacia leucophloea 9 Alstonia s cholaris 16 Canarium strictum 3 Acacia mearnsii 10 Artocarpus hirsutus 17 Cassia fistula 4 Acacia nilotica 11 Azadirachta indica 18 Casuarina junghuhniana 5 Aegle marmelos 12 Bassia latifolia 19 Couroupita guianensis 6 Ailanthus excelsa 13 Boswellia serrata 20 Crataeva magna 7 Ailanthus malabaricum 14 Bridelia retusa 21 Dalbergialatifolia 22 Derris indica 34 Lagerstroemia 46 Sapindus lanceolata emarginatus 23 Dillenia pentagyna 35 Melia dubia 47 Shorea talura 24 Eucalyptus globulus 36 Millingtonia hortensis 48 Sterculia urens 25 Eucalyptus grandis 37 Mimusops elengi 49 Strychnosnux- vomica 26 Feronia elephantum 38 Mitragyna parviflora 50 Tamrindu sindica 27 Gmelina arborea 39 Phyllanthus emblica 51 Tectona grandis 28 Gmelina arborea 40 Pithecellobium dulce 52 Terminalia arjuna 29 Hardwickia binata 41 Populus deltoides 53 Terminalia bellarica 30 Holoptelea integrifolia 42 Premna tomentosa 54 Terminalia catappa 31 Hydnocarpu 43 Pterocarpus 55 Terminalia chebula spentandra marsupium 32 Jatrophacurcas 44 Pterocarpus 56 Toona ciliata santalinus 33 Khaya senegalensis 45 Santalum album 57 Ziziphus jujuba
Red Sander at Seshanchavady
Meliadubia
Teak – Trichy
SEEDLING SEED ORCHARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING SPECIES ARE BEING ESTABLISHED.
1 Acacia chundra 12 Chloroxylon 23 Pterocarpussantalinus swietenia 2 Acacia mearnsii 13 Derris indica 24 Santalum album 3 Aegle marmelos 14 Eucalyptus citriodora 25 Sapindus emarginatus 4 Ailanthus excelsa 15 Eucalyptus globulus 26 Simarouba glauca 5 Albizia amara 16 Eucalyptus grandis 27 Swietenia macrophylla 6 Albizia lebbeck 17 Eucalyptus 28 Swietenia mahagony tereticornis 7 Artocarpus integrifolia 18 Feronia elephantum 29 Syzygium cuminii 8 Azadirachta indica 19 Gmelina arborea 30 Tamarindus indica 9 Bassia latifolia 20 Holoptelea 31 Tectona grandis integrifolia 10 Casuarina 21 Melaleucaalternifolia 32 Terminalia chebula junghuhniana 11 Casuarina 22 Meliadubia kapankuppang
CLONAL SEED ORCHARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING SPECIES ARE BEING ESTABLISHED
1 Acacia mangium hybrid 5 Derris indica 9 Santalum album 2 Ailanthus excelsa 6 Eucalyptus globulus 10 Sapindusemarginatus 3 Casuarinaequisetifolia 7 Meliadubia 11 Simaroubaglauca 4 Casuarinajunghuhniana 8 Pterocarpussantalinus 12 Tectonagrandis
GERMPLASM BANK FOR THE FOLLOWING SPECIES ARE BEING CREATED
1 Bambusabalcooa 4 Bambusa vulgaris 7 Santalum album 2 Bambusanutans 5 Casuarinajunghuhniana 8 Tectonagrandis 3 Bambusatulda 6 Pinuspatula
SEED STAND /SEED PRODUCTION AREAS FOR THE FOLLOWING SPECIES ARE BEING ESTABLISHED
1 Acacia auriculiformis 13 Casuarianaequisetifolia 25 Khayasenegalensis 2 Acacia mangium 14 Casuarinajunghuhniana 26 Leucaenaleucocephala 3 Aeglemarmelos 15 Casuarinajunghuhniana 27 Meliadubia (Kapankupang) 4 Ailanthus excelsa 16 Dalbergialatifolia 28 Mitragynaparviflora 5 Albiziaamara 17 Delonixelata 29 Populusdeltoides 6 Albiziarichardiana 18 Derris indica 30 Pterocarpusmarsupuim 7 Albizzialebbeck 19 Eucalyptus acmenoides 31 Pterocarpussantalinus 8 Azadirachtaindica 20 Eucalyptus citriodora 32 Rauwolfiaserpentina 9 Bassialatifolia 21 Eucalyptus grandis 33 Sapindusemarginatus 10 Caesalpiniasappan 22 Eucalyptus siberiana 34 Simaroubaglauca 11 Calamusrotang 23 Feroniaelephantum 35 Tectonagrandis 12 Calophylluminophyllum 24 Gmelinaarborea 36 Terminaliachebula
SSOs, CSOs and Seed stands formed / being maintained from 2010 onwards is furnished below
SSO of Meliadubia – Varattupallam
SSO –Sapindusemarginates- Vellore
CSO Tectona grandis at Lingamalai
Clonal Evaluation trial (Teak) – Melchengam
Melia dubia (Thoppur)
BIO-DIVERSITY CONSERVATION
More than 30 plus trees were selected in Tamil Nadu which had high heartwood, oil and santalin content, during genetic combing of sandalwood in the year 1982-83 Germplasm bank consisting of 35 plus tree of sandalwood was established at Salem Research Centre during 1983-84. This is one of the very first Sandal Clonal Bank establishedin India.
Improvement of Sandal through grafting and creating Sandal Germplasm Bank
The heart wood being the most valuable part of sandal wood clonal Germplasm Bank of sandal wood were established by taking scion from identified plus tree having high proportion of Heart wood, oil and santalin content and grafted seedlings were raised for establishing clonal germplasm bank of sandal.
Evaluation of sandal with respect to host association
Well established Sandal with Casuarina as host
MEDICINAL PLANT CONSERVATION: - 380 species of medicinal plants (Aliyar medicinal plants garden, Coimbatore) have been assembled and one Siddha Doctor is engaged for free medical consultancy to explain the importance of medicinal plants to the visitors. Demonstration plots were established in Research and Extension Centre's.
Medicinal Plant Garden at Aliyar Research centre
Medicinal Plants Garden at SFRI
Mass multiplications of medicinal plants which are in high demand are as follows:-Bixa orellana, Caesalpinia sappan, Cissus quadrangularis, Santalum album and Withaniasomnifera.
Cissus quadrangularis Withania somnifera
Research on Coastal area afforestation :
Tree species suitable for coastal areas as bio-shields were identified as Acacia auriculiformis, Erythrinaindica, Casuarinaequisetifolia, Casuarinajunghuhniana, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Cassia siamea, Kaya senegalensis, Salvadorapersica could be produced in forest nurseries. These can be used to form plantation in coastal areas for wind breaks and increasing greenery. Prosopis has been tried for afforestation in lantana infested (now removed) coastal areas during 2014-15 by planting Thespesiapopulnea, Dalbergiasissoo, Hibiscus teliaceous, Borassusflabellifer, Tecomellaundulata, etc. in coastal area at Thangachimadam (R) Centre of Rameswaram (R) Range.
Research on Sand dune stabilization:
For stabilization of sand-dunes and to improve the quality of soil, suitable tree species like Bassialatifolia, Derris indica, Polyalthiapendula, Eucalyptus species, Coccolobauvifera, etc. were planted. The same programme is being continued.
Research on afforestation of problem site:
Experiments have been laid with various species in problem sites viz. saline-alkaline soil, sheet rock and bouldary sites, magnesite mine dumps, etc. and the suitability of various species is being assessed. Work of afforestation in sheet-rock and boulder areas mostly with Ficus species was continued in different areas both inside and outside research centres. Appropriate species and techniques for problem soil afforestation especially rocky areas, mine-spoil areas, etc. will be identified for transfer of technology to the Forest Department.
Ficusbenghalensis at Kurumbapatti RF
Ficus species
Ficus species in Ammayapuram
Research on Fuelwood :
Around 30 species were selected and tried for production of biomass and fuel wood under different espacement and protective irrigation regime. It was previously found that Casuarina, Albizziarichardiana, Hibiscus tiliaceous, Samaneasamanare suitable for energy production in gasifier. During 2014-15, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia mangium, Leucenaleucocephala, Prosopisjulifloraetc.were tried for electricity production in bio-gasifier to see their suitability. Similarly different species (grass, bamboo, etc.) were tried for briquette making to see their efficacy in terms of calorific value, etc. During 2015-16 Morusalba, Azadirachtaindica, Albiziaamara, Acacia hybrid, Leuceanaleucocephala, etc. have been taken up with different espacement trials.
Raising energy plantation of suitable species of Private farmers land at Rameswaram (R) Range area
SOIL NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
ANALYSIS OF FOREST SOIL
Any soil that has developed under the influence of a forest cover, commonly referred as forest soil.
Forest soil posses distinct characters than the normal soil even though they have developed from the common parent material and under same climatic conditions.
Unique effects of deep rooting by trees
Specific organism associated with forest vegetation
litter layer and leaching promoted by the products of its decomposition of soil genesis
About 500 soil samples, collected from all the districts, were analysed for N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Micronutrients like Zn, Cu, Mo and Bo etc. The irrigation water samples sent by the farmers were also analysed for Electric Conductivity (EC) and Residual Sodium Concentration (RSC) etc. in Soil science laboratory, State Forest Research Institute, Kolapakkam, Chennai
SOIL SCIENCE LABORATORY, STATE FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
SILVICULTURE
Introduction trials
Research plots are there in various agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu. Plant species, which are not found in certain areas, have been raised in introduction trials in our research centres. Introduction trial of Prosopis cineraria, Adina cordifolia, Adansoniadigitata, Salvadorapersica, Brideliaretusa, etc. was taken up. Introduction of Thespesiapopulnea, Dalbergiasissoo, Hibiscus teliaceous, Borassusflabillifer,etc. has also been undertaken in coastal area infested with Prosopisjuliflora.
NURSERY EXPERIMENTS
Different culling methods, Bio-nutrient – Bio-fertilizer inoculation, juvenile – adult relationships were carried out in the nursery stages that paved way for ensuring enhanced bio-mass productivity.
Santalum album
Tectona grandis
Melia dubia
Caesalpinia sappan
Putranjiva roxburghii
Madhuca longifolia
Rauwolfia serpentina Aloe vera
Ocimum basilicum
Adansonia digitata
APPLICTION OF BIO – FERTILIZER AND BIO–NUTRIENTS FOR NURSERY
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE OF BIO – NUTRIENTS. Size of Azospirillum/ Phospho Vermicastings VAM Poly bags Rhizobium Bacteria 1 2 3 4 5 10x20 Cm. 15 Kg. 7 Gm. 3 Gm. 3 Gm. 13x25 Cm. 25 Kg. 10 Gm. 5 Gm. 5 Gm. 16x30 Cm. 35 Kg. 15 Gm. 6 Gm. 6 Gm.
Conservation of Endangered species
Action has been taken for propagation of the following endangered plant species.
i) Syzygiumtravancoricum
ii) Illexgardeneriana
iii) Hydnocarpusmacrocarpa
iv) Saraca asoca
v) Elaeocarpus munronii
vi) Rauvolfiaserpentina
Mass multiplication of medicinal plants which are high in demand and retrieval of RET species such as Elaeocarpusmunroniihave been taken up. Standardization of nursery technology for untried RET species (including hard seed coat species) was also taken up for Litseachinensis, Guaiacum officinale, Crescentiacujete,etc.Germination enhancement was tried in Santalum album, Meliadubia, etc. Under Standardization of nursery technology for untried RET species, work on Elaeocarpusvenustus, Garcinagummigutta, Bentickiacondapanna,Ardisiarhombioidacea, Apodytes dimidiate, Cinnamomumlausonii, Cinnamomumstocksii, Glochidionellipticum, Litsea floribunda, Litseaglabrata, Scolopiacrenata, SyzygiumdensiflorumandSyzygiumlanceolatumwas done.
In addition, vegetative propagation was done in Garciniagummi-gutta, Hydnocarpus alpine, Elaeocarpusvenustus, Elaeocarpusmunronii, Kingiodendronpinnatum, Eugenia singampattianaandSyzygiumgambleanummostly from southern Western Ghats. Under retrieval of Shola species, work was taken up in the following species
a) Arisaemaleschenaultii b) Berberisnilghiriensis c) Justicianilgherrensis d) Rubiaglomeratus e) Elaeocarpusblascoi f) Ficuslaevis g) Ardisiarhombioidacea h) Apodytesdimindiata i) Cinnamomumlausonii j) Cinnamonrumstocksii k) Glochidioncllipticum l) Listsea floribunda m) Listseaglabrata n) Scolopiacrenata o) Syzygiumdensiclorum p) Syzygiumlanceolatum
SPECIES RECOVERED (RET): - Cotoneaster buxifolius, Crotalaria longipes, Hildegardiapopulifolia, Madhucalongifolia, Mappiafoetida, Micheliachampaca, Michelianilagirica, Mimusopselengi, Putranjivaroxburghii, Santalum album and Syzygiumtravancoricum
SAUCER PLANTING TECHNIQUE
To assess the advantage of growing trees around the perimeter of the Saucer of 3 meter dia with 15 cm mid-depth, which can hold 1000 litre per saucer for 2” rainfall, experiments were undertaken with Eucalyptus, Casuarina and Bamboo species.
400 Plants / Ha.
200 saucer / Ha.
1000 litre of water / Saucer
2 Lakh litre of water / Ha. Impounded
Noticed 50% increase in the yield
1000 litres of water is impounded per Saucer for 2” rainfall at SFRI
1000 litres of water is impounded per Saucer for 2” rainfall at SFRI
RESEARCH ON BAMBOO
45Bamboo species were identified for planting in Tamilnadu. Among these B.nutans, B.tulda, B.balcooa, B.vulgaris are found suitable for profitable cultivation. It is proposed to collect and assemble another 10 Bamboo species at the Bambusetum at Amravathi during 2016-17.
Bamboo setum at Amaravathy Research Centre
Bamboo has been used as a reinforcement material partially replacing steel in cement concrete and structure is under evaluation for its strength and durability. Bamboo reinforced bus shelter using bamboo with RCC as also bamboo composites has been designed for new trial during 2014-15. The cost of various bamboo products is less than comparable products. To take an example for a ‘Slab’ of dimensions 90cm X 90 cm X 7.5 cm, Cost of slab with iron rods as reinforcement is Rs. 464 while that of bamboo is Rs. 386 (16.73% reduction in cost). Model eco- friendly bus shelter with bamboo has been erected showcasing use of bamboo to the public.
Bamboo Bus shelter
Slab
PRECAST COMPOUND PILLAR
NTFP RESEARCH
OIL ANALYSIS IN DIFFERENT SEEDS
Naturally all seeds have its own oil, but it will be varying from 1% to above 70%. Some of them edible and some are inedible. Here we analysed 60 species, their results are shown in table.
Oil percentage with Sl. No Species Name respect to Seed 1 Abrusprecatorious 4.75 2 Acacia auriculiformis 4.75 3 Acacia ferruginea 6.08 4 Acacia leucophloea 4.14 5 Acacia nilotica 9.87 6 Albizziaamara 4.17 7 Albizzialebbeck 4.75 8 Anacardiumoccidentale 13.42 9 Anonasquamosa 15.77 10 Anogeissuslatifolia 6.3 11 Argemonemexicana 27.07 12 Azadirachtaindica 18.8 13 Bassialatifolia 35.1 14 Bauhinia variegata 2.8 15 Bomboxceiba 18.64 16 Caesalpiniacoriaria 18.64 17 Brideliaretusa 6.08 18 Caesalpiniapulcherrima 4.77 19 Caesalpiniasappan 14.32 20 Calophylluminophyllum 33.77 21 Canariumstrictum 9.43 22 Cassia fistula 10.3 23 Cassia siamea 8.7 24 Ceibapentandra 42.64 25 Dalbergialatifolia 3.5 26 Delonixregia 6.81 27 Derris indica 17.8 28 Embilicaofficinalis 13.6 29 Eucalyptus citriodora 16.8 30 Eucalyptus tereticornis 19.4 31 Hardwickiabinata 9.81 32 Holopteleaintegrifolia 12.33 33 Hopeawightiana 2.82 34 Jacaranda mimosofolia 37.7 35 Jatrophacurcas 36.95 36 Kaya anthothica 10.05 37 Kaya nayasica 51.36 38 Leucaenaleucocephala 6.67 39 Mahavilvam 26.55 40 Mallotusphilippensis 8.89 41 Mangiferaindica 4.46 42 Meliaazaderach 3.5 43 Meliadubia 9.15 44 Moringa oleifera 21.83 45 Mimusopselengi 14.57 46 Murryakoengii 0.397 47 Myristicafragrans 23.6 48 Peltophorumferrugineum 1.0 49 Polyalthialongifolia 9.33 50 Pterocarpussantalinus 0.987 51 Samaneasaman 0.95 52 Santalum album 26.6 53 Simaroubaglauca 27.1 54 Strychnosnuxvomica 3.84 55 Strylosanthushamata 7.4 56 Syzygiumaromaticum 20.215 57 Tamarindusindica 5.7 58 Tectonagrandis 13.1 59 Terminaliaarjuna 0.851 60 Terminalia bellarica 37.5
FOREST UTILIZATION
Research on species suitability for Timber, Plywood & Veneer :
Plywood and Veneer are in more demand due to their wide usage. It is better to use them rather than traditional timber species having long rotation period. So experiments are being carried out with Acacia hybrid, Silver oak, Hopeaparviflora, Alstoniascholaris, Dysoxylummalabaricum, Kaya senegalensis, Ailanthus excelsa, Albiziafalcatoria, Heveabraziliensis, Ailanthusmalabaricum for profitable cultivation in Research Centres and in private lands. During 2014-15, immature timber of different species such as Anthocephaluscadamba, Gmelinaarborea, Albizzialebbeck, Pterocarpusmarsupium, Lanneacoromandelica, etc have been seasoned and are being tested for wood properties.
Further studies on wood properties, their suitability for wood products, plywood/ veneer, etc. was taken up with the assistance of organisations like IWST. Samples of Kaya senegalensis,Meliadubia, Lanneacoromandelica, Anthocephaluscadamba, Gmelinaarborea, Artocarpusintegrifolia, Albizzialebbeck, Ailanthus malabaricum, Alstoniascholaris, etc. timber species were sent and results obtained for Kaya senegalensis showed wood characteristics comparable to that of teak.
Work on wood-plastic composites is being done in collaboration with IWST,
Bangalore with untried species such as Meliadubia, Prosopis, thornless bamboo, etc.
Khaya senegalensis at SFRI
Melia dubia at Neyveli
FOREST UTILIZATION
Wood seasoning, chemical treatment, darkening through Ammonia fumigation and different utilization trials have been taken up with over 25 nontraditional secondary timber species.
Soft wood species like Rubber, Eucalyptus, Casuarina, Rain tree were subjected to Ammonia fumigation and chemical treatment and then used for making strong furnitures like table and chair.
Dalbergiasissoo
Eucalyptus alba
Eucalyptus tereticornis
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
PHYTOREMEDIATION
Research on Pollution abatement:
The lands polluted by tannery and dye industry effluents were selected and research was undertaken for phyto-remediation of the land by attempting to find suitable species that can grow well in the affected land.
SPECIES SUITABLE FOR TANNERY POLLUTED SOILS
1. Acacia leucophloea 8. Dalbergiasissoo 2. Acacia nilotica 9. Eucalyptus tereticornis 3. Acacia suma 10. Hardwickiabinata 4. Bambusa bamboo 11. Hibiscus tiliaceus 5. Cassia siamea 12. Pithecellobiumdulce
6. Cassia fistula 13. Samaneasaman 7. Derris indica
SPECIES SUITABLE FOR DYE FACTORY EFFLUENTS
1. Acacia auriculiformis 10. Holopteleaintegrifolia
2. Acacia nilotica 11. Hopeaparviflora 3. Albizzialebbeck 12. Leucaenaleucocephala 4. Alstoniascholaris 13. Madhucaindica 5. Azadirachtaindica 14. Syzygiumcuminii
6. Casuarinaequisetifolia 15. Terminaliaarjuna 7. Cassia siamea 16. Terminaliabellirica 8. Dalbergiasissoo 17. Thespesiapopulnea 9. Ficusglomerata
SPECIES SUITABLE FOR SEWAGE WATER
1. Acacia auriculiformis 11. Derris indica
2. Albizzialebbeck 12. Eucalyptus tereticornis 3. Albizziarichardiana 13. Holopteleaintegrifolia 4. Bambusamukulba 14. Hopeaparviflora 5. Bambusanutans 15. Leucaenaleucocephala 6. Bassialatifolia 16. Syzygiumcuminii
7. Cassia siamea 17. Terminaliaarjuna 8. Casuarinaequisetifolia 18. Terminaliabellirica
9. Dalbergialatifolia 19. Thespesiapopulnea
10. Dalbergiasissoo
Noyyal foreshore treatment – Kasipalayam village
Sewage water treatment Plantation at Perungudi
ORGANIC TREE HUSBANDRY
Research on Bio-fertilizer:
Bio-fertilizers like Azospirillum, Rhizobium, Phosphobacteria and VAM are inoculated to produce quality plants. Isolation of VAM (Vesicular ArbuscularMycorhiza) from 15 important tree species was undertaken by the Research wing which was cultured, multiplied and inoculated for production of vigorous plants. Vermicasting produced is applied to plants as bio-nutrient. Multiplication of quality tamarind and nelli grafts has been taken up for distribution among the farmers. Modern Nurseries help to improve the Forest cover scientifically by producing quality planting material.
To meet the demand of bio-fertilizer and bio-nutrients of the Forest Department nurseries, 6 Modern Nursery Centres have been functioning in the following places.
1. Perungalathur 2. Alwarmalai 3. Harur 4. Thoppur 5. Valkaradu 6. Kalamavoor 7. Dharmapuri Bio – fertilizer Unit The following quantity of Bio-fertilizer and Bio-nutrients was produced through 7 Modern Nurseries in Research wing. The bio-fertilizer production unit at Dharmapuri is known for its best quality and has obtained ISO 9000-2008 certificate for the quality.
BIO-NUTRIENT TESTING LABORATORY (DHARMAPURI)
BIO-FERTILIZER UNIT
VAM
Vermicasting
BIO – FERTILZERS
RECOMMENDED DOSAGE OF BIO-NUTRIENTS & BIO-FERTILIZERS FOR PLANTING
Phospho- Vermicasting VAM Azospirillum Rhizobium Polybag size bacteria (G) (G) (G) (G) (G) 1 2 3 4 5 6 1.00 2 50 15-50 15-25 15 Cum. 0.60 1 30 10-12.5 10-12.5 10-12.5 Cum. 0.45 ½ 25 10 10 10 Cum.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
Establishment of Germplasm bank of fruit yielding trees for birds and other pollinators
To ensure biodiversity conservation, it is essential that pollinators and seed dispersers are cared for. These pollinators and dispersers are Birds, Bats, Bees and Butterflies which play a vital role in maintaining natural biodiversity. Collaborative research carried out by the Department has identified more than 200 plant species offering food for the pollinators and seed dispersers. Hence, it is necessary to establish Germplasm banks of fruit yielding trees for birds and other pollinators. These Germplasm banks will facilitate in multiplication of propagules and seeds in future. Assemblage of shola species such as Eurya japonica, Mahonia leschenaultia, Michelianilagrica, Syzygiumcalophylifolium, Nothapodytesnimmoniana, Symplocoscochinchinensis, Symplocosfoliosa, Litseawightii, Photinianotoniana, Viburnum erubescens, etc. from among 52 species recommended by SACON for pollination and seed dispersal by birds, butterflies and insects was taken up.
INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Following laboratories/equipments are established in State Forest Research Institute, Kolapakkam and in other research divisions; 1. Soil Science Laboratory at SFRI, Chennai 2. Tissue Culture Laboratory at SFRI, Chennai 3. Plant Pathology Laboratory at SFRI, Chennai 4. Microbiology Laboratory at SFRI, Chennai 5. Plant Physiology Laboratory at SFRI, Chennai 6. Entomology Laboratory at SFRI, Chennai 7. Industrial Wood Research Laboratory at IWRD, Trichy 8. Bio-Fertilizer Laboratory at MND, Dharmapuri 9. Seed testing Laboratory at Genetics, Coimbatore. 10. Solar Wood Seasoning Kiln, Ammonia Fumigation, Briquetting Machine & Bio-gasifier at SFRI, Chennai.