Trends6 4 in Biosciences 10(1), Print : ISSN 0974-8431,Trends 64-67, in Biosciences 2017 10 (1), 2017

REVIEW PAPER Conservation and Scientific Techniques for Improvement of Gum and Resin Yielding Tropical Tree RAVINDRA KUMAR DHAKA*, BHUVA DHAVAL C., RAJESH P. GUNAGA AND M. S. SANKANUR Department of Forest Biology and Tree Improvement, College of Forestry, ACHF, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat. *email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT forest products also widely used, the terms to classify forest resources i.e. other than major timber and small timber and Indian tropical forests are rich in biological diversity. It is fire . Among many of NTFP resources, Indian forests one of the richest and largest exporter countries in the are also rich in gum and resin, oleoresins yielding forest world for gum and resins. Mostly the raw materials are procured from natural sources which play a major role in species and mostly the raw materials are procured from tribal economy and livelihood security. Some important natural sources. Gums and gum resins are commercially highly traded gum and resin yielding trees species of extracted from different tropical forest species like gum are Acacia nilotica, latifolia, Boswellia products namely gum arabic from Acacia Senegal or Acacia nilotica, gum ghattii from Anogeissus latifolia, gum karaya serrata, Lannea coromandelica, Sterculia urens and Vateria indica, however, the quality of these products may from Sterculia urens, gum katira from Cochlospermum also fetch higher economic returns in the international religiosum, Neem gum from Azadirachta indica, Jingan market. But many of these gum and resin yielding trees gum from Lannea coromandelica, Mesquite gum from like Sterculia urens, Boswellia serrata and Vateria indica julifora etc. and resin products namely Halmaddi from Ailanthus malabarica, Salaiguggal from Boswellia are under threat, mainly due to unscientific way of harvesting and anthropogenic pressure. Henceforth, there serrata, Tacamahaca resin from Calophyllum inophyllum, Elemi resins from Canarium hirsutum, Dammar from is an urgent need to improve and conserve these forest genetic resources to ensure sustained yield in perpetuity. Dipterocarpus kerri, Damar kapur from Dryobalanops In this study an attempt has been made to understand its aromatic, White dammar from Vateria indica etc. (Nair, utilization pattern, demand and supply, improvement of 2000; Murugesan et al. 2011, Dwivedi, 1993). tapping techniques, threat of species, need of improvement Among the several gum yielding trees, gum ghatti and conservation approaches for production of quality and (Anogeissus latifolia) and gum karaya (Sterculia urens) quantity of gums and resins. In view of the above said facts are predominate species having national and international it is imperative to select desired germplasm for quality trade (Anon., 1986). Many species of economic yield, further its multiplication, domestication and importance grown in the tropics of India, which yield commercialization are essential for effective sustainable valuable economic products. Of these, gum and oleo gum- utilization and conservation of these genetic resources. resin yielding species are important due to high demand, Moreover, it is crucial to consider screening of genotypes, as India is a largest exporter of gums. its age, season, status of tree infestation, reproductive Utilization pattern characters, phenology, pollination and dispersal mechanism, pattern of regeneration while improvement Commercial gums enter the national and international of quality yield and planting materials. Therefore market in the form of dried exudates. The utilization of gums identifying forest genetic resources for higher yield of and resins has expanded tremendously in recent years. They have been used in many related and unrelated gums and resins with the help of local people is one of the best ways for its conservation in the form of gene bank. industries. There are several important uses of natural gums However, gum and resin yielding tropical tree species and resins according to grade, the finer grades are used in should be conserved in their natural range (in-situ) and clarifying liquors, finishing of silk and in the preparation of outside their natural range as a gene bank (ex-situ) through quality water colors and intermediate grades are used in confectionery, pharmaceuticals, printing inks, sizing and the intervention of tree improvement, forest biotechnology and plantation techniques. finishing textile fabrics, dyeing and the paint industry (Nair, 2000). Gums are used as a thickening agent for pigment in printing fabrics in textile industry, as a component in drilling Keywords Gums and resins, Conservation, Tapping fluids in petroleum and gas industry, as emulsifier in many techniques, Tree improvement, Forest flavoring beverage industry and creams, lotions, and biotechnology, Gene bank ointments in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, as cream stabilizer in diary product industry, as a stabilizer in Tropical forests are rich in biological diversity and meat product industry etc. (Nair, 2000; Dwivedi, 1993). Many composed of numerous , which are used for gums add body and bulk to foodstuffs (e.g., commercial ice livelihood. India is one of the richest countries in the term cream) (Naude, 1994). The gum is edible, nutritive and acts of forest genetic resources as well as one of the 12 mega- as a demulcent to soothe irritated mucous membranes. It is biodiversity countries of the world. These forest resources also an ingredient in medicinal compounds for diarrhea, have been classified into timber and non-timber forest dysentery, coughs, and catarrh (Dwivedi, 1993). Gum from resources. However, minor forest produce and non-wood DHAKA et al., Conservation and Scientific Techniques for Improvement of Gum and Resin Yielding Tropical Tree Species 6 5

L. coromandelica has been found to be used as a partial Quality) and dust colour (IV Quality), whereas Bureau of substitute for jigat in making agarbathi (Theagarajan et al., Indian Standards described the quality of gum on the basis 1997). of percentage of and Foreign Organic Matter (B.F.O.M) Resins are used in the manufacture of lacquers and and Viscosity (in centipoises) into 6 grades (Table 1) such varnishes. They dissolve readily in alkali to form soaps and as HPS (Pure white with BFOM 0.3-0.5% and velocity of are used in medicines, for sizing paper, for incense and in 1200-1500 cps), Grade I (white to amber with BFOM 0.5% the preparation of sealing wax and other products. Important and velocity of 1000 cps), Grade II (reddish pale yellow oleoresins are turpentines, balsams, copaiba and elemi. with BFOM 1.5% and velocity of 600-1000 cps), Grade III These are used in perfumery and medicines, for making (brown to black with BFOM 3% and velocity of 200-600 varnishes, lacquers, as fixatives and in scenting soaps (Nair, cps), Siftings-1 (brown with BFOM 6%) and Siftings-2 2000; Dwivedi, 1993). (brown and dark with BFOM 8-10%). Several tapping techniques have been used to collect Demand and supply gums from different forest trees. In the case of gum Karaya, Many gum and resin yielding species discussed in there are five methods developed from traditional tapping the paper have high medicinal important. Medicinal plant to ethephon tapping (Table 2). species are major NTFP resources of the country. Majority The commercial gum tapping is done by blazing, of species are grown in its natural habitat, however, very peeling, or by making deep cuts at the base of the bole few medicinal species are grown under cultivated condition. using an axe. These methods often lead to the death of the In the present scenarios, the industrial demand for the tapped trees (Nair et al., 1995). On account of crude tapping medicinal and aromatic plants has increased tremendously, methods and over exploitation, the species population has due to herbal use in the form of health care formulations, markedly declined. In the absence of cultivation of these cosmetic and nutritional supplements. As per Ved and trees in regular plantation, there is a grave concern about Goraya (2007) described the information regarding demand the loss of wild germplasm. Therefore traditional method of and supply of traded medicinal plants of India. As per this gum tapping is very wasteful up to as much as 40% of the report, total 960 traded medicinal plant species are recorded precious gum material (Table 2). Several agencies have and among these, 178 species (70 species of tropical explored methods of of tapping of gum from the trees to forests) are consumed in volumes exceeding 100 MT per maximize gum yields (both qualitatively and quantitatively) year with accounting for about 80 per cent of the total without killing the precious tree resource. One of the recent industrial demand of all botanicals of India. For example, interventions is ethephon tapping technique. Use of plant annual world production of karaya gum is estimated at 5500 regulator like ethephon, has increased exudation of gum/ metric tons, while India’s share is around 3000 – 3500 MT in gum resin in certain plants such as Mangifera indica, Sterculia urenus. Once its annual potential was around Acacia senegal, Commiphora wightii and Sterculia urens. 5000 MT, while its present potential is estimated around By using these improved methods in tapping of the gum/ 3000 metric tons per year (www.zauba.com) in India. Acacia gum resins, sustained yield, regeneration and survival of nilotica (Babool), Anogeissus latifolia (Dhawada), the tapped trees were observed by several authors (Bhatt Boswellia serrata (Salai guggul), Lannea coromandelica et al., 1989; Bhatt and Mohan Ram, 1990). As the technique (Jhingan jingini), Sterculia urens (Karaya) and Vateria of ethephon application is simple and requires no indica (Manda dhoopa) are high traded important gum and specialized skills, it can be easily taught to unskilled tribles gum-resin yielding trees species of India (Ved and Goraya, dwelling in the forests. Ethephon is inexpensive, 2007). indigenously manufactured, easily available and safe. Improvement of tapping techniques The yield has increased about 10 to 20 times more Since there is a great demand for gums/gum-resins at than traditional and mechanical methods in Sterculia urenus international market, the quality of the products play major by using this technique (Nair, 2004). Another example in role to supply it. For instance, in gum Kadaya, the quality Anogeissus latifolia, on application of ethephon yielded classes have been defined differently. Bhattacharya et al. about 466-fold increase of gum (Bhatt, 1987).Therefore, the (2003) mentioned quality classes of gums on the basis of improved tapping technique could enhance the quantity colour viz. White (I quality), Pinkish (II Quality), Black (III and quality of gum and resin.

Table 1. Gum grades according to Bureau of Indian Standards on the basis of percentage of Bark and Foreign Organic Matter (B.F.O.M) for quality assurance

Sl. No. Grade Quality Colour BFOM Viscosity 1 Grade - HPS Pure White 0.3% - 0.5% 1200-1500cps 2 Grade – I White to amber 0.5% 1000 cps 3 Grade – II Reddish pale yellow 1.5% 600-1000cps 4 Grade – III Brown to Black 3% 200-600 cps 5 Grade - Siftings-1 Brown 6% 6 Grade - Siftings-2 Brown and dark 8-10%

6 6 Trends in Biosciences 10 (1), 2017

Table 2. Gum tapping methods in Sterculia urens Sl. Methods Remarks References No. 1 Traditional method of gum tapping: a series Very wasteful up to as much as 40% of the Bhattacharya et al., of axe-strikes or blazes on the tree trunk precious gum material 2003 2 1-2 blazes on the stem above 30 cm ground level Method developed by FRI, Dehradun FRI, 1972 with maximum size 45.5 × 12.5 cm 3 Method used by Damoh and Jabalpur Forest 3-4 blazes on the stem with maximum size 45×25 Anon., 1973 Departments cm 4 Kovel's technique developed by Kovel By using sharp sickle and clean bamboo baskets or Bhattacharya et al., Foundation transparent polythene 2003 5 Ethephon (2 chloroelhyl phosphonic acid) Gum yield up to 10 to 20 times more tradition Nair, 2004 tapping technique methods

Threat of species for large scale production of quality materials for further Many of the gum and resin yielding trees have under utilization (Zobel and Talbert, 1984; Bhuva, 2016). In case threat due to unscientific way of harvesting. Earlier days, of Sterculia urens, tree should have 8-10 years aged with people are not aware of techniques of proper tapping for minimum girth of 90 cm and free from insect and disease attack for effective harvesting of gums (Bhattacharya et gum-resin resources. Traditional method of gum tapping in Sterculia urens recorded to be 40 per cent wasteful al., 2003). Therefore, it is opined that screening of population/provenance as well as individual trees (Bhattacharya et al., 2003). Further, excess tapping of trees for gum yield may lead to death of trees in many tropical (genotypes) in natural forest is very essential steps to be forests (Nair et al., 1995). Therefore many of these plants taken in these forest resources. Silvicultural intervention entered in to threatened plant categories. For instance, such as species trial, spacing trial, canopy management is Boswellia serrata is recorded as rare of plants of Rajasthan also necessary for improvement of gum-resin products. Further, documentation of fundamental information is also (Joshi and Shringi, 2014), Sterculia urens as threatened/ near threatened plant in Gujarat (Anon., 2008), however, in necessary to take up tree improvement and breeding IUCN Red Data Book, Vateria indica is a critically programme for gum and resin yielding tree species. endangered tree endemic to the western ghats of India Conservation approaches (www.iucnredlist.org). Dipterocarpus kerri is also critically There are several conservation approaches for forest endangered tree species in India (www.iucnredlist.org). genetic resources. Some of the populations of gum and Mishra (2005) estimated impact of harvesting of gum on resin yielding species have been conserved in in-situ ecological status of Sterculia urenus population in the indirectly, where these populations are distributed in tropical dry deciduous forests of Orissa reported in low national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other protected density, poor natural regeneration and more tree damage areas. However, other forests are tapped for extraction of resulted in threat of this species. gums and resins from different forest resources. Presently, Need of improvement with the help of local people, some genotypes which yield higher gums and resins may be identified and conserved in Data base shows that there is gap of information regarding commercial plantation of gum and resin yielding ex-situ approach by creating gene bank. Further, scientific plant resources in India. Mostly, the raw materials are way of harvesting may be disseminated among the people collected from natural forest. Based on the demand and who have involved in gum tapping, so that plants may be supply of gum-resinous products, there is a need for large protected. It is also necessary to take up control measures scale commercial plantation, since many of the trees are like pasting insecticide/fungicide after tapping the tree to threat and categorized as rare. Therefore, selection, protect against any insect pest or disease damage. domestication and commercialization of these forest CONCLUSION resources are very essential for effective sustainable In view of the above said facts it can be concluded utilization and conservation in its natural habitat. Many that gum and resin industries can play a signiûcant role forest tree species such as timber, , pulp and paper towards the economic growth and also providing yielding, medicinal plants, TBOs have been improved employment to rural/ tribal communities. There is need through tree improvement, silvicultural and/or through studying the economics of production under optimum biotechnological techniques. However, such information conditions of cultivation and harvesting to be assessed for is scanty among the tropical species such as Acacia its sustainability. Also gum and resin yielding tropical tree nilotica, Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia serrata, Lannea species should be conserved in their natural range (in-situ) coromandelica, Sterculia urens and Vateria indica for high and outside their natural area as gene bank (ex-situ). On yield and quality of gum/resinous materials. Fundamental the other hand research into genetic improvement and information about tree age, season, techniques of tapping, selection of species for the higher production with a quality status of tree infestation, reproductive characters, gum and resin should be initiated which may lead to phenology, pollination and dispersal mechanism, pattern establishment of plantation of these species. of regeneration are essential for screening the genotype DHAKA et al., Conservation and Scientific Techniques for Improvement of Gum and Resin Yielding Tropical Tree Species 6 7

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Received on 13-12-2016 Accepted on 19-12-2016