FORESTRY RESEARCH AND ACHIEVEMENTS AT AFRI, JODHPUR

Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education(Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change)

Geographical area = 1,96,022 sq km

Forest area = 18,999 sq km (9.7%)

Forest cover= 15,152 sq km (7.7%)

Geographical area = 3,42,239 sq km

Forest area = 32,494 sq km (9.5%)

Forest cover= 16,367 sq km (4.8%)

Geographical area = 491sq km

Forest area = 204 sq km (45%)

Forest cover= 169 sq km (34.1%)

DIRECTOR

GCR

CO(F) IT CELL

ESTT. &

HINDI SECTIO

N

STORE

Forest Protectio

n

Agro-forestry

& Extensio

n

Forest Ecology

Forest Genetic

s & Tree

Breeding

Non Wood Forest

Products

2

ACCOUNTS

Silviculture

PURCHASE

AFRI Organizational Chart

PATENTS AND PUBLICATIONSSNo. Impact factor Nos. of papers Total %

India International1 <0.5 9 6 15 3.6

2 0.5-1.0 13 41 54 13.1

3 1.0-2.0 0 17 17 4.1

4 2.0-5.0 0 16 16 3.9

5 >5.0 0 7 7 1.7

6 - 232 70 302 73.5Total 254 157 411 100

Completed projects by up to 2012-13 :93Completed projects (2013-14) : 09Ongoing projects : 34

ICFRE funded projects : 18Externally aided ongoing projects : 08Externally aided new projects : 05Consultancy : 03

Project concluded during 2004-2014 :64

COMPLETED AND ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS IN 2013-14

SNo. Division Projects concluded (Nos.)1 Forest Ecology Division 152 Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding Division 103 Forest Protection Division 114 Non Wood Forest Product Division 75 Silviculture Division 156 Agroforestry & Extention Division 57 Information Technology Cell 1

Total 64

Ailanthus excelsa, Colophospermum mopane, Cordia myxa, Prosopis cineraria and Ziziphus mauritiana are potential species for farmlands. At 5 years age reduction in wheat yield was less in P. cineraria: Z. mauritiana combinations.

Canopy removal and root trenching had positive effects on crop and grass production.

Out of 9 tree species & grass combinations tried, Ziziphus mauritiana + Cenchrus ciliaris based silvipastoral model was best followed by Ailanthus excelsa + C. ciliaris and Cordia gharaf + C. ciliaris.

Densely sown grass adversely affect growth of trees, but provide higher total biomass. Sowing grass in strips promote plant growth, but total biomass yield reduces.

Besides, studies have also been conducted on effect of tree density and crop sequences and potential tree species for agroforestry in dry regions

T. undulata + V. radiata

Z. mauritiana + C. ciliaris

AGRI-SILVI AND SILVIPASTURE MODELS FOR DRY AREAS

REHABILITATION OF DEGRADED HILLS

Variables Trend after work initiationRun-off losses Decreased (by 2.1% of total rainfall)Soil losses Decreased (from 3.43 to 0.19 g l-1)Nutrient losses DecreasedSoil water IncreasedSoil bulk density DecreasedFine earth fraction Increased (greater in higher slope)

Soil nutrients (NH4-N, NO3-

N & PO4-P)

Increased

Soil carbon Decreased in lower slope and increased in upper slope

Plant growth IncreasedHerbaceous diversity Increased (39 to 92 species)Regeneration diversity Increased (22 to 42 species)Diversity of fauna IncreasedFodder availability IncreasedFuelwood availability IncreasedWater availability Increased

Soil formations stages

Use of different rainwater harvesting devices and mixed plantation

BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT Plant biodiversity assessment in Hydrocarbon Project Area of Jalore & Barmer

showed 144 plant species (15 tree species, 17 shrub species, 82 herb species and 30 grasses/ sedges)

Survey of 123 sacred groves in Rajasthan revealed dominance of 26 tree and 25 shrub species. These are: A. pendula >P. juliflora >Salvadora oleoides> Capparis decidua> P. cineraria>Tectona grandis >Acacia leucophloea >Acacia nilotica>Butea monosperma>Ziziphus rotundifolia.

There are 31 sub-types of forest in Rajasthan, where P. juliflora, A. pendula, Acacia tortilis, A. leucophloea, A. senegal, B. monosperma, P. cineraria, C. decidua, D. melanoxylon and M. emarginata were recorded in >10% forest block.

Biological invasions P. juliflora of >30 cm, 10-30 cm girth and saplings in varying density were observed

in 47.2%, 46.3% and 30.9% sacred groves, whereas L. camara was recorded in 8.9% sacred groves.

Invasive species P. juliflora and Lantana camara observed in 36.7% and 7.2% forest block distributed in 32 and 15 district, respectively in Rajasthan forests .

P. juliflora has also been reported as new host for 15 species of insects belonging to orders-Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera and Hymenoptera from Rajasthan, India. P. juliflora can be utilized for rearing of cantharidin producing beetles Mylabris species.

CLIMATE CHANGE: CARBON IN RAJASTHAN FORESTS

Component Above-ground Below-ground Total

Live biomass 27.32 11.68 38.98

Herbaceous 0.77 - 0.77

Dead material 1.24 - 1.24

SIC - 142.60 142.60

SOC - 121.60 121.60

Total (million tons) 305.19

Use of Gypsum (100 % soil GR), FYM and nitrogen enhanced

growth (30-70%) depending upon treatments for all the plant

species in Rajasthan. FYM + Wheat husk was best for black soil in Gujarat. Application of Phosphorus with FYM enhanced the plant growth

and fruit yield in S. Persica. Zinc influenced seed size and no of seed/g were 45 in FYM +

K2SO4(50 g K2O) treatment in Acacia ampliceps.

There is overall improvement in soil properties (SOC, pH, EC)

and biodiversity of the treated areas.

REHABILITATION OF STRESS SITES

Highest growth and biomass was recorded in E. rudis followed by Corambia tessellaris, E. camaldulensis and E. fastigata.

Ground water level receded by 145 cm in E. rudis plot. In C. tessellaris, E. camaldulensis and E. fastigata, water level receded by 90 cm, 70 cm and 60 cm respectively.

A. nilotica and T. aphylla showed higher tolerance towards salinity compared to E. camaldulensis. However, under water logging condition at shallow depth E. camaldulensis outperformed others.

Studies have been performed to refine and develop seed testing protocols of Azadirachta indica, Acacia nilotica, A. catechu ,

Dalbergia sissoo, E. camaldulensis, P. cineraria, Capparis decidua, Tectona grandis, Salvadora persica, Commiphora wightii ; and

Other medicinal plant species

Studies on seeds collected from Seed Stands / SPAs / SSOs / CSOs of important species of Gujarat State has also been taken up.

Effects of seed size and pre-treatments on germination and performance have been studied in Acacia nilotica and Prosopis cineraria.

STUDIES ON TRAITS & DEVELOPMENT OF SEED TESTING PROTOCOLS

Work has also been done on various aspects of physiological changes of freshly collected Azadirachta indica seeds and stored seeds to prolong the viability and to increase germination percentage.

Cassia angustifolia (Senna)Commiphora wightii (Guggal),Aloe vera (Guarpatha),Catharanthus roseus (Sada Bahar),Withania somnifera (Aswagandha),Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi),Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) Cassia angustifolia

Established germplasm bank of 150 medicinal plants at AFRI model nurseryScreened germplasm (204 sources) & more than 115 Plus plants of Jatropoha curcas for higher seed and oil yield and agri-techniques developed

Correct harvesting period prescribed for Calotropis procera, Tribulus rajasthanensis, Pluchea lanceolata. Alkaloid contents were high in summer while steroids were high in winter in C. procera flower. Maximum content of secondary metabolite (sterols-2.65% & alkaloids-8.0%) was from ACZ- IA (Jaisalmer region).

STUDIES ON MEDICINAL PLANTS

GERMPLASM BANK

PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES

STANDARDIZATION OF SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES

21 clonal accessions were selected from Rajasthan and their performance and agritrial laid. Jaipur and Tonk accessions performed best. Germ plasm bank established.

Developed low cost macro- and micro-propagation protocol and established field trial. Guidelines were prepared for seed germination and vegetative propagation.

Out of 33 districts surveyed in Rajasthan, maximum Guggul population was in Barmer (58 plants/ per ha). So far no male plant was observed.

Ethephon (a plant growth regulator) injection gave encouraging results, where Guggul plants are surviving even after three time gum exudations. Application of FYM has helped maintain plant survival.

Plants are tapped thrice in four years. Their yield was ranging from 50.0 to 80.0 g per plant and they are surviving.

Germplasm of Guggal was characterized by DNA marker studies.

FINDINGS ON GUGGAL PROGRAMMES

PLANTING STOCK IMPROVEMENT

Genetic Trials: Provenance (A. indica-47 and A. nilotica-31), progeny (A. indica-30, T. undulata-40, Jatropha curcas-116 CPP, Prosopis cineraria-52 and Tectona grandis-28, Melia dubia-24) and clonal (E. camaldulensis-35, D. sissoo-30, Jatripha curcas-185, Commiphora wightii-22) trials established at different locations and evaluated.

Established genetic resources: Selected CPTs, established SPAs, SSOs, CSOs and VMG for Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia nilotica, Tectona grandis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Reproductive biology, Oil and Azadirachtin content and fodder value studied for A. indica.

DNA Marker and Gene Expression: DNA marker studies were carried out on Neem, Guggul, Rohida for studying genetic diversity, clonal fidelity tests and other desired genetic traits. Under gene expression studies, out of nine putative genes identified, three have possible role in abiotic stress physiology (a halophyte- Lepidium sativum).

Demonstration Trials: A large scale field trials of tissue culture raised plants of Dendrocalamus strictus and Bambusa bambos were established and evaluated in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Six bamboo species were also tried for their performance where D. stricus showed maximum survival (77%), followed by B. bambos (58.3), B. valgeris (52.1), B. nutans (35.4) and B. tulda (30). Survial was minimum in D. asper plants (only 2%).

Genetic evaluation: Genetics and inheritance of seed and growth traits investigated for western Indian Teak. Twelve elite parents of Tectona grandis were identified.Genetic estimates for pods and germination parameters of P. cineraria were estimated and its inheritance was investigated which was hitherto unknown

A. Azadirachta indicaB. Ailanthus excelsaC. Acacia niloticaD. Tecomella undulataE. Dalbergia sissooF. Eucalyptus

camaldulensis

VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES

Macropropagation

MicropropagationA. Azadirachta indicaB. Ailanthus excelsaC. Acacia niloticaD. Balanites aegyptiacaE. Commiphora wightiiF. Jatropha curcasG. Terminalia arjuna

Growth and yield models (i.e., volume functions, site index equations, potential density, mortality and basal area projection models) developed for A. indica, E. camaldulensis, D. sissoo, T. undulata, A. nilotica and E. hybrid.

Aboveground biomass equation for neem, volume equations for A. tortilis and generalized height-diameter equations for A. indica and Tecomella undulata have also been constructed and validated.

Preliminary growth models developed for P. cineraria and A. excelsa trees.

Common regression equations have been developed for predicting both above-ground and below-ground biomasses and carbon accounting of trees, shrubs, undershrubs and Euphorbias in Rajasthan.

Tree and shrub species based equations have also been developed for Hardwickia binata, C. mopane, P. juliflora, L. pyrotechnica and Calligonum polygonoides for their biomass assessment .

GROWTH & YIELD MODELLING AND REGRESSION EQUATIONS

i.e., tree above-ground biomass (kg) = 0.181494261*D2.058650773

Potential Famine Foods: Bark, leaves, fruits and seeds Acacia leucophloea, Acacia nilotica and Prosopis cineraria contains 13.7% to 23.1% crude Protein

Leaf protein concentrates: Prepared from Azadirachta indica, Moringa oleifera and Achyranthes aspera and can be used as famine foods.

Oil extraction: Oil content in Salvadora oleoides seeds ranges from 39.5% to 44.8% and in S. persica from 38.4% to 45.3 % in different agro-climatic zones. In Azadirachta indica oil content ranges from 32.4% to 43.2%.

Utilization of Lesser Known Timber species: Chemical treatment (CCA + 2% chloropyriphos) and seasoning has increased the life and damage to the woods of Prosopis juliflora, Acacia tortilis and Prosopis cineraria. Value added products like sofa set, utility box and pen stand etc. have been made from these woods.

Potentials of Sandal Cultivation: Survey of sandal population in south and eastern Rajasthan indicated presence of its natural stands, where heartwood and oil content varies with place and age ranging from 0.9 to 3.0%.

NTFPs: Survey conducted in Udaipur region showed that NTFP contribute 35-40% to the annual income of tribal families.

PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION & VALUE ADDITION OF NTFPs

INSECTS, PESTS AND DISEASES MANAGEMENT A check- list of 49 insect species associated with Tecomella undulata has been prepared. 105 species of butterflies (65 new) and 115 species (59 new) of moth (Lepidoptera) have

been identified from Gir National Park. Besides, a checklist of total 220 species of lepidopteron fauna have also been prepared.

Relative resistance of Neem provenances were tested against Patialus tecomella, where Bhaislana and Osian provenances were found the most resistant.

Neem provenances from Palanpur and Jhansi exhibited the best resistance against neem weevil, Myllocerus tenuicornis.

Use of Beauveria bassiana- a fungus and root decoction of Dhatura metel have been found very effective against Neem defoliator.

Dhatura metel root extract was also found most effective in controlling the sap-sucking insects and semilooper (Achea janata) attacking on Mehndi.

For rapid composting litter decomposing mycoflora have been isolated and identified. High percentage of canker formation observed in trees with girth >80

cm. The most effective systemic chemical found effective in its control was salicylic acid (10 mmol).

Mycorhizal association

About 30- 40% greater growth recorded in VAM inoculated seedlings of Tecomella undulata, Prosopis cineraria, Azadirachta indica and Dalbergia sissoo. Indigenous strains of Glomus fasciculatum and G. aggregatum performed better than non- indigenous strains .

Glomus multicaulae and Sclerocystis indica are new records from the region.

Root borer, Acanthophorous

serraticornis

Ganoderma lucidum

BIOTIC FACTORS

Depletion in water table

Exploitation of waterTractorization

Indiscriminate lopping

ABIOTIC FACTORS

Root treatment containing Bavistine (0.1%)+ Chloropyriphos (0.1%)+ Agromin ( 2ml/lit) @ 20 lt aqueous suspension per tree quarterly)

ROOT TREATMENT

KHEJRI MORTALITY (20-25%)

Alternate Year loppingTwo third lopping Young trees should not be lopped

Silvicultural Management

KHEJRI MORTALITY IN RAJASTHAN AND IT’S CONTROL MEASURES

1 Prosopis cineraria based agroforestry for hot arid region of Gujarat and Rajasthan2 Use of surface vegetation in sand drifts control and sand dune stabilization of hot arid region 3 Rehabilitation of degraded land through seed sowing to increase land productivity and combat

desertification 4 Rehabilitation of degraded hills through afforestation and rainwater harvestings 5 Enhancing productivity of arid salt affected soils through afforestation techniques6 Utilization of wastewater in afforestation to increase aesthetic value and fuelwood supply in

suburban areas of desert cities7 Reclamation/rehabilitation of waterlogged soil in canal command area of IGNP using principle of

biodrainage 8 Mulching and weeding for conservation of soil moisture and enhancing plant growth 9 Micro-catchments for plantation establishment 10 Silvipastoral approach for augmenting the fodder availability during lean

seasons in arid regions 11 Growth and yield models for some forest plantations in Rajasthan and

Gujarat for their sustainable management 12 Isolation and mass multiplication of VAM for improvement of planting

stock in forest nurseries 13 Seed germination protocol for Capparis decidua 14 Post harvest treatment and enhancement of germination of seed of

Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari (guggal) 15 Development of refined technology for in vitro propagation of Commiphora

wightii (Arn.) Bhandari (guggal) 16 Development of grafting technique for clonal propagation of Ailanthus

excelsa Roxb. 17 Optimum harvesting time of important medicinal plants of Rajasthan for

their secondary metabolites 18 Protein rich food supplements for desert population

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED BY AFRI

EIA of the project 'Integrated Watershed Development Project in Sunel Watershed of Pirawa Panchyat Samiti District Jhalawar, Rajasthan.

Ecological and environmental assessment in the onshore area of RJ-ON-90/2 block, Rajasthan.

Evaluation study on the programme development of community silvi-pasture through people initiatives in Bhilwara District, Rajasthan.

Baseline survey study on biological diversity in Mangala, Sarswati and Rageshwari Areas of Rajasthan Hydro Carbon Project.

Evaluation of the plantation work on Gaurav path developed by the Jodhpur Development Authority.

Survey and characterization of soils & vegetation in the proposed land for IIT Rajasthan on Jodhpur – Nagaur Road.

Project document for erection of mega-shelterbelts in Western Rajasthan. Preparation of baseline data on vegetation diversity and soil for IIM Udaipur

Campus. Report on species suitability for biomass energy plantation and production.

Submitted to Department of Forests, Government of Rajasthan & Banswara Biomass Energy Pvt. Ltd., Banswara, Rajasthan.

CONSULTANCIES

Thrust Research Activities

1 • Economic impact of desertification and strategies (including sequential restoration) to mitigate it.• Developing package of practices to enhance productivity of degraded lands through

multidisciplinary approaches like ecology, silviculture, biofertilizers, genetics including biotechnological tools.

• Designing effective mechanism to manage insect pests and diseases associated in forest nurseries, plantations and natural forests.  

• Studies on nano particles produced either intra- or extracellular and their application. • Phyto-chemical evaluation , value addition and development of packages for various food, NTFPs

and medicinal plants. • Survey and study on availability and collection of NWFPs and its role in socio-economic status of

local people.

2 • Examining the climate -driven effects of biodiversity on water processing, nutrient cycling and carbon storage.

• Endemism and relationships between soil and vegetation diversity.

3 • Studies on impact of increasing CO2 concentration and climate change on seed traits, plant physiology and biological diversity in degraded drylands.

• Assessment of pollution load on existing vegetation and designing of green belts in urban areas.

4 • Utilization of genetic variation in different trees species like Prosopis cineraria, Tecomella undulata, Tectona grandis, Anogeissus pendula, Capparis decidua etc in productivity enhancement.

• Utilization of clonal forestry in enhancing forest productivity. • Development of state-of-the-art molecular biology lab to carry out research on genetic engineering

and molecular characterization etc.

5 • Studies on appropriate extension mechanism and developing better linkages and effective coordination for effective transfer of research outcomes to the end users.

• Publications of outreach material for scientific professionals and end users.

FORESTRY RESEARCH PRIORITIES FOR NEXT 20-25 YEARS

Training imparted: About 8928 trainees including farmers, N.G.O.s, S.H.G.s, V.F.P.C. Members, Watershed Cluster Members, Watershed Development Teams, Forest Field Officials, and 324 school children have been exposed to the research finding• Participation in Trade fairs/Exhibition every year• Organized farmers fairs

Publication of extension materials• AFRI Newsletter: 01 (Quarterly in Hindi)• Brochures- 50; Proceedings-3; Pamphlets-25

• VVK Bichhwal, Bikaner, Rajasthan• VVK Chipardi beedi, Rajkot, Gujarat

Establishment of VVK

CASE STUDIES AND EXTENSION

WEB portal: A bilingual web application of the 160 important plants species developed and hosted on the web server at URL http://www.seracharidplants.in.

Demo Village: Technology package like live fencing, pasture development, Rainwater harvesting etc demonstrated at Demo village Salavas, Jodhpur

Direct to Consumer: Some successful programme have been taken to field functionaries through training, workshop and field visits/demonstration under this scheme.

Evaluations AFRI has evaluations of afforestation works carried out in Combating

Desertifications programmes of SFD, Rajasthan during different phases

covering 10 arid districts. Other evaluations are watershed programme in Jhalawar, reclamation of water

logged areas in Jetsar in Ganganagar and Rawatsar area in Hanumangarh

(Funded by MoRD, GoI).

Education Till date 27 student have been awarded Ph. D. degree in different fields 16 Ph. D. scholars are pursuing their research work at present.

EVALUATIONS AND FOREST EDUCATION

Thank you