Forest Research Institute Research Articles

Taxonomic studies on the lichenized fungi inhabiting bamboos and rattans of KFRI Peechi campus

A total of 17 lichen taxa inhabiting the bamboos and rattans of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi campus were enumerated. Out of these, sterile specimens of Cryptothecia, Pyxine, Tricharia, and some species of Porina and Strigula were identified up to generic level based on thallus morphology, anatomical and chemical characters. The study added eight species viz., Diorygma soozanum (Zahlbr.) M. Nakan. & Kashiw., Fellhanera bouteillei (Desm.) Vězda, Graphis pyrrhocheiloidesZahlbr., Gyalectidium cf. filicinum Müll. Arg., Herpothallon cinereum G. Thor, Porina tetramera (Malme) R. Sant., Puiggariella nemathora (Mont.) S.H. Jiang, Lücking & J.C. Wei, and Tricharia sp. as new distributional records to Kerala. The genera Fellhanera, Gyalectidium, Puiggariella, and Tricharia are reported for the first time in Kerala. Brief descriptions of the species new to Kerala are provided.

Understanding the physical properties of multipurpose trees: A comprehensive analysis

The study was conducted at the Forest College and Research Institute in Tamil Nadu, India, to characterize the physical properties of eight different tree species: Tectona grandis, Swietenia macrophylla, Acrocarpusfraxinifolius, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Casuarina junghuhniana, Neolamarkiacadamba, Pterocarpus marsupium, and Melia dubia. One-meter billets were collected from felled trees of each species, debarked, and cleaned for analysis. The samples were prepared according to the requirements for assessing various physical properties, including bulk and basic density, moisture content, specific gravity, and shrinkage and swelling. The results indicated that all eight species exhibited high moisture content and medium-range density. Understanding these physical properties is crucial for determining the suitability of these species for use in the timber and furniture industries.

Latex Yield and Tree Growth in Kanchannagar Rubber Estate of Bangladesh - a Preliminary Study

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) is a perennial, hardy and moderately quick-growing tree of the tropical regions (Khisa 1991). An initiative of its cultivation was taken in Bangladesh during 1960-61 considering the multiple uses of the latex and its products including the utility of timber (Chowdhury 1974). In Bangladesh, experts recommended its cultivation in the hilly land, terrace mostly evaluating the land suitability class and within the limitation of climatic factors (Hasan 1983). Bangladesh Forest Industry Development Cooperation (BFIOC) sent a proposal to Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRl), Chittagong to find out the causes of latex yield variation in the rubber station of Rangamatia and Doluchari of Kanchannagar Rubber Estate of Fatickchhari upazila of Chittagong District. Thus, a preliminary study was conducted on these rubber gardens during 2007-08. The clones in those estates are RRlM-600; PBIG/GG, GT-1 and PB-235, which were planted during different planting years (BFIDC 1993). Management of the Doluchari garden was comparatively better than Rangamatia. Total number of trees in Doluchari and Rangamatia is 29850 and .36149 respectively. Two (2004-06) years latex yield records showed that average productions were 3.16 kg/tre/yr for Doluchari and 1.86 kg/tree/yr in Rangamatia. The latex yield variation may be due to different factors viz: site quality, management efficiency, age group of clones, etc. (Anon,1989). The Chittagong Univ. J. B. Sci. 8(1&2): 33-36, 2013

New record of Giant Redeye Gangara thyrsis thyrsis (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Garhwal region of western Himalaya, India

Gangara thyrsis thyrsis (Fabricius,1775) has distribution extending in peninsular India from Maharashtra to Kerala; Andhra Pradesh, and in northeastern India from West Bengal to Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh. In north-western India it has been reported from Delhi & Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and also from Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In the current observation, the occurrence of G. t. thyrsis was recorded from New Forest Campus of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun which is the first known authentic record from the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India.

A Green Repository Matures at Kepong : the forest Research Institute of Malaysia

An overview of the history of establishment, characteristics and functions of the grounds of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia at Kepong is presented. The Institute was functionally established at its Kepong premises in 1926, when the first forest plantations there were begun, and the arboretum was established in 1929 through the efforts of F. W. Foxworthy and J. G. Watson. Today, the premises at Kepong occupy a total area of some 600 hectares, including the natural forest of Bukit Lagong, the plantation forests and the special livmg-plant collections. The planted forests are a prime example of tropical reforestation using hardwood dipterocarp species. These plantations and the arboreta have been built up through a close association with research related-to forestry, plant biology and taxonomy, and the grounds are an important facility for conservation, education and recreation. Taken in toto. the entire premises are effective in conservation through the building up of viable, breeding populations of many plant species, and are significant as a sanctuary for animal life.Unlike the Indian Botanic Garden, which by 1987 woidd have celebrated two hundred years since establishment, the Kepong premises of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia will see its bicentenary only in the year 2126. It seems a long way to go, and indeed it is. But botanic gardens and arboreta do not grow merely with age; they will only develop with continual maintenance, acquisition and renewal through time. It is, therefore, most pleasing to realize that the Indian Botanic Garden has been sustained for two centuries, and the Kepong premises is maturing after sity years, as scientific livmg-plant repositories.The living collections on the Kepong premises of the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) have not normally been equated to a botanical garden in its typical sense because of the general emphasis on arboriculture and species of interest to tree-oriented forestry. Although they are as purposeful and functional as any botanical garden in the tropics, the grounds of the FRIM are unique in several aspects and are well-recognised by tropical plant scientists as one of the major repositories for living plants in the region.

Morphology and ITS-based phylogeny revealed Nigrospora sphaerica causing leaf spot and blight disease of Bambusa polymorpha in India

Bamboo spp. are a significant source of raw materials for the paper and pulp industries worldwide. Therefore, it is crucial to identify pathogens accurately since they can pose a significant threat to bamboo in nurseries and plantations. In January 2021, symptoms of leaf spot and blight disease were observed on Bambusa polymorpha in the central nursery of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India. After examining the morphological characteristics and conducting a phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA, Nigrospora sphaerica was identified as the causative agent. In pathogenicity experiments, N. sphaerica induced disease symptoms and was successfully re-isolated from the inoculated leaves, thereby satisfying Koch's postulates. This study marks the first report of N. sphaerica as a foliar pathogen of B. polymorpha in India. Further research should focus on developing strategies to manage this disease in bamboo nurseries.

Comprehensive Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Wild Ganoderma applanatum Mushroom from Kerala, South India: Insights into Dietary Nutritional, Mineral, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Activities.

The present study focused on the mushroom Ganoderma, which has been used in Eastern countries for centuries as a food and medicinal source. Specifically, the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma applanatum from the Kerala Forest Research Institute in Thirussur, Kerala, India, were analyzed for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The methanolic extracts of G. applanatum were used to examine secondary metabolites and proximate profiles, revealing the presence of various phytochemicals such as terpenoids, phenolics, glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins. Further analysis revealed the presence of significant amounts of calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and manganese. The compounds were characterized using chromatographic analysis, FTIR, and GC-MS, which revealed potential therapeutic compounds with C-H and C-O bonds in the amide group, β-glycosides, and C-C/C-O vibrations of phenolic substances. Mushroom extract at a concentration of 100 µg mL-1 exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. This study suggests that G. applanatum has a rich biochemical composition and pharmacological potential, making it a promising candidate for drug development and traditional medicine, and contributes valuable insights into its diverse therapeutic applications.

Community structure, population dynamics and biomass estimation of Bombacaceae in the 50 ha plot at Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

A study was carried out to determine the population dynamics and biomass estimation of Bombacaceae in the 50 ha plot at Pasoh Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan. Census data for the year 1985, 1990, 1990, 2000 and 2005 were obtained from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong. The study was mainly focused on data of the year 2005. Nevertheless, comparisons between each census year were carried out to observe variations between each census. Based on the 2005 data, a total of 1,152 stems of Bombacaceae was recorded, representing three genera and five species. Durio recorded the highest number of stems with 950 individuals. The species with the highest total number of individuals was Durio griffithii with 781 individuals. Tree class size of 1.0–9.9 cm, consisting of 840 stems, accounted for 72.92% of the total abundance. The growth rate was 0.06 cm/year and the total basal area measured 0.19 m2/ha. Through distribution pattern analysis using Morisita’s Index of Dispersion (Id), Bombacaceae shows a clustered pattern distribution, with value Id = 11.46. The stimation of biomass for the year 2005 was at 2.24 t/ha, with above ground biomass at 1.98 t/ha and below ground biomass at 0.27 t/ha. Durio has the highest biomass with an estimation 2.09 t/ha, while Durio griffithii contributed to an estimated 1.01 t/ha of the biomass. A total of 237 stems were found dead (12 stems/year) and 118 new recruitments (6 stems/year) had been recorded.

Clonal Evaluation and Genetic Divergence Studies in Mulberry Genotypes

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the wood quality and leaf quality traits of selected mulberry clones and assess the genetic divergence among them, providing valuable insights for the development of superior genotypes with enhanced economic value for the sericulture and agroforestry sectors.
 Study design: Twenty-one genetic resources of mulberry were collected from various regions in India and evaluated through clonal test in a Row Column Design to assess growth attributes and genetic divergence.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in India, and the systematic progeny test and clonal evaluation were carried out in Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam during 2018-2022.
 Methodology: The selected clones were evaluated for growth attributes such as plant height, diameter at breast height (DBH), volume, number of branches, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, number of leaves, and leaf area. Genetic divergence was estimated using D2 statistics, and clustering of clones was performed using the 'GENRES' statistical package.
 Results: The study identified several clones with significantly higher growth attributes, highlighting their potential for selection in breeding and cultivation programs. Variability and heritability studies indicated that volume exhibited the highest heritability, suggesting strong genetic control and potential for improvement.
 Conclusion: Clones MI-0718, MI-0807, and MI-0845 showed superior growth performance and genetic divergence, indicating their suitability for further breeding and improvement programs. The study provides insights into the genetic variability of mulberry clones and emphasizes selecting superior clones for enhancing wood volume and overall productivity.

Effect of air pollution on plant life in the city of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces a serious problem with air pollution, which has a negative impact on human health and tree health. Leaf damage, slow development, and decreased photosynthetic activity are just a few of the harmful effects on trees that have been linked to high concentrations of pollutants such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These consequences affect the aesthetic value of green spaces in addition to interfering with the functions of the ecosystem that trees offer, such as air filtration and carbon sequestration. Given the seriousness of the problem, the present study plan was implemented to evaluate the amount of pollutants such as SOx, NOx, O3, hydrocarbons, particulate matter 2.5, particulate matter 10 and suspended particulate matter in the air in several urban areas of Chittagong and to evaluate the amount of chlorophyll from the leaves of affected and without affected leaves so that it may understand how the photosynthesis process of plants is interrupted by air pollution. 2 Number Gate Circle, Akbarsha Lane Circle, Alongkar Mor Bus Stop, Barik Building Circle, BDR Field Circle, Halishahar Access Road, Artillery Center-North Halishahar, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute and CRB Circle were selected as sampling location based on their heavy traffic and crowdedness. For the analysis of chlorophyll, each plant leaves were collected in three sections such as unaffected, slightly affected, and affected for comparison. The data studied showed that the most polluted zone with particulate matter had a lower chlorophyll concentration in the surrounding tree leaves. This can indicate that particulate matter can hinder photosynthesis reactions.

Influence of Different Transplanting days on Yield attributes of Mini clones under Field Conditions for Morus indica (V1)

An experiment was carried out to compare yield attributes ofapical cuttings developed using Mini-clonal technology of variety V1 along with the regular stem cuttings. Both apical and stem cutting plants were evaluated under field conditions at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu. In this study, yield parameters like fresh leaf weight (g), no of branches (no’s per plant), no of leaves (no’s per plant) and plant yield (g) were evaluated. The results clearly indicates superior performance was noticed in V1 apical cuttings, treatment 60DAP-AC (V1) mini clones recorded yield attributes like fresh leaf weight (5.33 g), no of branches (2.92 no’s) per plant, no of leaves (49.23 no’s) per plant and plant yield (103.98g) better than stem cuttingsfresh leaf weight (4.94 g), no of branches (2.56 no’s) per plant, no of leaves (41.85 no’s) per plant and plant yield (89.14 g).Evaluating yield traits under primary field conditions in relation to various transplantation days was the primary goal of the study

Role of Government Institutions in Promoting Sustainable Development in Bangladesh: An Environmental Governance Perspective

This research examines the complex relationship between environmental governance, sustainable development, and the role of government institutions in Bangladesh. The study extensively examines the evolution of environmental governance, focusing on the establishment and functions of key institutions such as the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Department of Environment, the Department of Forest, the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the Forest Research Institute, etc. Relying solely on secondary sources, the methodology involved a comprehensive review and analysis of scholarly literature, policy documents, and reports to explore the nation's environmental trajectory. The findings underscore the commendable socio-economic progress achieved by Bangladesh compared to pressing environmental challenges. Rising carbon emissions, limited forest coverage, water resource mismanagement, and threats to biodiversity underscore the urgency for balanced and sustainable development. Government institutions, through policy formulation, implementation, research, and conservation efforts, play pivotal roles in addressing these challenges. However, the research highlights the imperative for a paradigm shift, emphasizing the need to integrate environmental considerations into development policies comprehensively. Bridging the gap between economic growth and environmental sustainability requires concerted efforts, policy reforms, and public engagement. This study emphasizes the pivotal role of government institutions, collaborative efforts, and policy reforms in leading the nation towards a more sustainable future.

First report of two insects, Megachile sp. and Armadillidium sp., as new pests on Flemingia spp. In Thrissur, Kerala

A project entitled "Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources" is underway at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) at Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala, India. This project includes the maintenance of both a lac insect gene bank and a lac insect host plant gene bank. Two types of host plants, Flemingia semialata (F. semialata) and Flemingia macrophylla (F. macrophylla), are cultivated to support the lac insect, Kerria spp. In the month of May, it was observed that Megachile bees were cutting the leaves of F. semialata and using them to construct nests. Roly-poly (Armadillidium spp) insects were also found affecting the young leaves of seedlings of F. semialata and F. macrophylla at KFRI. These two insects, Megachile and Armadillidium, are newly reported for the first time on the plants of F. semialata and F. macrophylla in Kerala.

Trial for the propagation method in Flemingia spp., a shrub plant and a lac insect host in Thrissur, Kerala

Due to the challenges posed by the poor availability and germination of Flemingia spp. for lac insect cultivation, the Kerala Forest Research Institute in Thrissur experimented with the air layering method and stem cutting (Vegetative Propagation) to enhance the number of seedlings. The layering method was successful for all three treatments, although it is observed variations in the length of the roots. The plant treated with coco peat exhibited longer roots and a greater number of roots, followed by the plants treated with only soil and vermiculite. The stem cutting method (vegetative propagation) was also successful for both plants, suggesting that both techniques can be used as alternatives for cultivating lac insect host plants instead of relying on seed germination.

Influence of Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. On the Expression of Germination and Growth of Agricultural Seeds

Aim: This laboratory experiment was conducted to test the effect of allelopathy by Eucalyptus tereticornis aqueous leaf extracts on the germination and growth of Agricultural seeds i.e., Arachis hypogaea, Cicer arietinum, Vigna radiata and Zea mays as to test for suitable agroforestry system.
 Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design.
 Place and Duration of the Study: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Agroforestry and Soil Science, Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India.
 Methodology: The aqueous leaf extracts of varied concentration [0 (Distilled water), 25, 50, 75 and 100% (m/v) %] prepared were tested against germination percent, relative germination percent, growth and relative allelopathic effect on the aforesaid agricultural seeds.
 Results: The bioassay revealed that there was significant turndown in parameters tested. Control being the one relatively high performing, with increase in the concentrations of aqueous leaf extracts the germination rate, root length, shoot length, and dry weights reduced in all the other crops treatments tested.
 Conclusion: The experiment attributes that leaching of allelochemicals from the leaves into the assay caused inhibitory effect on the seed germination and growth.

HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING IN PRESERVATION OF CROATIA’S HISTORIC TREES: A CASE STUDY OF DEDEK OAK IN MAKSIMIR PARK

Abstract. This study focuses on the application of hyperspectral imaging techniques for the genetic preservation of historic trees, specifically investigating the 600-year-old "Dedek" Oak in Maksimir Park, Croatia. The research aims to contribute to the conservation of Croatia's natural heritage and underscore the potential of hyperspectral imaging in tree preservation. The Croatian Forest Research Institute has been actively involved in preserving the pedunculate oak trees, recognizing their cultural and ecological significance. Efforts have been made to cultivate seedlings from the original genetic material, thereby preventing the loss of valuable genes and ensuring their long-term preservation. Spectral signatures of "Dedek" Oak and its clones were captured using high-performance hyperspectral push broom cameras, including the HySpex VNIR-1800 and SWIR-384. Spectral camera scanning was conducted in the field and laboratory. The comparative analysis of the spectral samples revealed unique characteristics and demonstrated the effectiveness of hyperspectral imaging in studying historic trees for preservation purposes. The spectral signatures of vegetation display dynamic characteristics in terms of spectral resolution. Collecting and documenting these signatures is considerably more challenging, and their integration into spectral libraries should be approached with careful consideration. There are several spectral libraries that are organized by chapters and consist of samples that have a sufficient number of analysis and documentation to determine the quality of the spectrum. In this study, spectral signatures of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) called Dedek and its clones were singled out. The objective of this research was to establish a foundation for a spectral library that would facilitate future research on the application of hyperspectral scanners for detecting protected tree species and their clones, all for the purpose of preservation of the genetic diversity of protected trees in Croatia. The findings of this research contribute to the conservation of Croatia's natural heritage by providing valuable insights into the genetic preservation of the 600-year-old "Dedek" Oak. Also, determining the spectral signatures of clones can help us with the identification of specific tree species (especially during aerial imaging, which is planned to be conducted in the future). In conclusion, this research showcases the importance of preserving historic trees and the potential of hyperspectral imaging as a valuable tool for genetic preservation efforts. The study's outcomes contribute to the long-term conservation of Croatia's natural heritage and provide a foundation for future research in the field of tree preservation and spectral library inception.

RAIZ’s eucalypt genetic improvement program: The path taken and new challenges

RAIZ is a forest and paper research institute, part of The Navigator Company, a Portuguese pulp and paper company. Its eucalypt genetic improvement program started in the mid-1980s, focused mainly on E. globulus, which is well suited to the local soil and climate conditions and has outstanding wood qualities for pulp and paper production. Initially, main selection criteria were growth, survival to drought conditions, wood density and pulp yield. Cloning was the main form to transfer results into operational plantations and, as a result, rooting ability was also a key trait for successful large-scale nursery plant production. These requirements were maintained for several decades during which the program has achieved substantial gains and the E. globulus clonal forest was a reality. Meanwhile, interspecific hybridization has been tested mainly to achieve higher drought and pest resistance. As a result, the clonal program includes several hybrids. Currently, 11 clones, including three hybrids, are in nursery large-scale production, with operational gains of 30-50% over unimproved stocks, in terms of pulp produced per hectare. In the last decade, more than 250 controlled-crosses were carried out, including 70 interspecific crosses. More than 400 new clones, including 50 hybrids, and approximately 400 seed lots, including 100 hybrids and other species lots, have been tested across over 140 sites. Advanced BLUP analysis techniques are used since mid-1990’s to support strategic planning decisions, including more than 125,000 records for survival, 85,000 records for height and diameter, 57,000 pilodyn and 6,000 NIR records, collected from 219 trials, and covering about 45,000 individual genotypes. Nevertheless, efforts to face climate changes must be intensified, especially to mitigate the effects of drought and pests that currently affect a substantial portion of the forest estate. In the last 3 years, more than 100 new genotypes were selected from hybrids progeny trials involving species such as E. grandis, E. viminalis, E. saligna, E. rudis, E. urophylla, and E. tereticornis. Their multiplication and testing are undergoing, and results are expected within 5 years. In addition, an expanded approach to further diversify and strengthen of eucalypt genetic pool is being implemented, introducing species like E. cladocalyx, E. gomphocephala, E. benthamii, E. melliodora, E. punctata, or E. dunnii, aiming to enhance resilience to environmental challenges and ensuring the sustainability of Portugal's eucalyptus forests.

Isolation and Identification of Bacterial and Fungal Edophytes from Leaves and Stems of H. rosa-sinensis and Production of Secondary Metabolites from Isolated Endophytes

Endophytes were first reported by the Freeman (1904) from dunel grass. 3,00,000 plant species known which exist on earth, all are host to one or more endophytes [1]. Endophytes are found in roots, leaves, stems, fruits, tubers, ovules etc. (Hallmann et al., 1997; Sturzet al., 1997: Hurek et al., 2002, Benhizia et al., 2004; Iniguez et al., 2004). Many different types of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids and steroids are produced by endophytic fungi and these metabolites of endophytic fungi have antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and antioxidant potential. The root of the Hibiscus rosa is used for cough treatment. The leaves of the H. rosa are used as a laxative and flowers has anti – diarrhea properties and are considered as demulcent, emollient, refrigerant, aphrodisiac and emmenagogue. The high level of antioxidants in H. rosa sinensis can slow down the aging process by eliminating the free radicals and neutralizing their harmful effects on the cells of human body. Hibiscus flowers are used as a remedy for relieving respiratory problem and to improve the health of respiratory system.
 This work reveals that the endophytic bacteria and fungi were isolated from healthy leaves and stem of medicinal plant, H. rosa-sinensis which were first sterilized in 70% ethanol. The bacterial endophytes were isolated on Nutrient Agar Medium and fungal endophytes were isolated on Potato Dextrose Agar Medium. Colonies showing similar morphology on one plate were considered as single colony and so the frequency of each colony is calculated and isolated in pure form. By pure culture isolation technique, 4 different isolates of bacterial endophytes and 2 different isolates of fungal endophytes from stem of H. rosa-sinensis and 3 different isolates of fungal endophytes from leaves of H. rosa-sinensis were obtained. Bacterial endophytes were identified on the basis of Gram Stain and biochemical characterization whereas the identification of fungal endophytes was carried out at Plant Pathology Department of Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun. The secondary metabolites were isolated from isolated bacterial and fungal endophytes by using two different solvents (Ethyl acetate, chloroform) in the ratio 1:1 left for 15 minutes, the organic phase were collected and kept for drying at 37C. The antimicrobial activities were done against human pathogen (Stayphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia) by using Disc diffusion method of isolated secondary metabolites.

Fungal Diversity and Distribution in the Biodiversity Hotspots of the Western Himalayas

The western Himalayan region is a biodiversity hotspot. Although much of the flora and fauna has been documented, there are very few studies on fungal diversity. We present the statistical analyses of the sample collections from the last 150 years of data in the fungarium of the Forest Research Institute. We found that the host tree species—pine, oak, deodar, and spruce, had very high Shannon diversity (SD) and species richness (SR), while Dalbergia and Rhododendron had moderate to low SD and SR values; although sal occurs at lower altitudes, it has high SD and SR values. Among fungal families, the highest SD and SR value was found in Polyporaceae. Hymenochaetaceae, Peniophoraceae, Coleosporiaceae, and Stereaceae also showed SD with moderate SR. Fomitopsidaceae, Cronartiaceae, Ganodermataceae, and Thelephoraceae have low biodiversity and species. Thelephoraceae are distributed above 2000 m altitude, and Ganodermataceae and Hymenochaetaceae have wider distribution ranges, namely, 0–3500 m and 0–5000 m, respectively. The Polyporaceae show diverse variations in species distribution and occur between 0 and 4500 m; Coleosporiaceae and Cronartiaceae around 2000 m; Stereaceae, Meruliaceae, Peniophoraceae, and Fomitopsidaceae occur between 1700 and 1800 m, with all Stereaceae and Fomitopsidaceae having different distribution ranges of up to 5000 m. We found that areas with relatively low rainfall had lower species richness, and vice versa, and that high solar radiation negatively affected fungal density and SR, as observed in the distribution of Thelephoraceae. While families with high SD and SR values such as Polyporaceae were found under relatively high rainfall, moderate solar radiation, and high temperatures. Similar studies need to be undertaken in other parts of the Himalayas and the importance of fungi in ethnobotany needs to be understood to ensure sustainable use.

Assessment of Growth Performance of Casuarina equisetifolia Clones in Tropical Region of Jabalpur District of Madhya Pradesh, India

Casuarina equisetifolia L., commonly known as the Casuarina or Australian Pine, is a fast growing, evergreen tree native to the coastal regions of Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands and can be useful in carbon sequestration and in afforestation programme in tropical forest. An experiment was laid out at Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur (M.P.) India with an aim to assess the growth performance of Casuarina equsetifolia clones namely IFGTB CH-1, IFGTB CH-2, IFGTB CH-3, IFGTB CH-4, IFGTB CH-5, IFGTB CH-6, IFGTB CH-7, IFGTB CH-9, IFGTB CH-10 in tropical region of Madhya Pradesh comes under Kaymore plateau and Satpura Hills agroclimatic zone of the state. The results revealed that the clone IFGTB CH-5 produced the maximum volume per m3 followed by the Clone IFGTB CH-2 and IFGTB CH-4 because of the highest survival percentage among the all clones and maximum carbon stock was found in clone IFGTB CH-5 (0.044 tonnes) followed by CH-2 (0.028 tonnes), CH- 4 (0.026) and minimum carbon stock was found in CH-1 (0.016). Thus, Clone CH-5 is recommended for this region under afforestation programmes due to its fast growth within a short period of 2 years, quick pulpwood yield and maximum carbon sequestration.