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R. Yasodha , Modhumita Ghosh , Santan Barthwal , K. Gurumurthi

Abstract

Traditional health care system of India uses the vast resources of medicinal and aromatic plants in the protection of health, as drugs and fragrance materials. The growing interest in commercialisation of plant-based medicines has lead to over exploitation of the plants. This review provides an account of the present status of medicinal importance and biotechnological research in the five Dashamula tree species namely Aegle marmelos, Gmelina arborea, Oroxylum indicum, Premna integrifolia and Stereospermum suaveolens. In Dashamula tree species, where the ischolar_mains are used in preparation of ayurvedic formulations, the destruction of plants are severe and planting of seedlings for these species is almost negligible. Clonal propagation throngh macro and micropropagation is practiced in a limited scale for Gmelina arborea and Aegle marmelos. Research activities are negligible in the species like Oroxylum indicum, Premna integrifolia and Stereospermum suaveolens. Research towards either genetically improving the species for higher production of the active components or increasing the production of the compounds under in vitro culture conditions is essential and it is practiced in several medicinal plant species. The application of in vitro culture for the propagation of Dashamula tree species will help in the sustainable availability of propagules and plant products.

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Kannan Chandra Shekhara Warrier , K. G. Ajith Kumar , Rekha R. Warrier , K. Gurumurthi

Abstract

Flowering pattern in sex identified clones of Casuarina equisetifolia Forst. Grown as hedges in the clone bank of Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, India revealed that sex change occurs in this species. The population assembled and ischolar_mained ramets from three year old trees selected from Chengalpet and Chidambaram area of Tamil Nadu, India consisted of constant males, constant females and monoecious individuals at the time of introduction during 1992 and remained so till 1997. The data on flowering collected afterwards showed tbat constant males, constant females and monoeciouis individuals accounted for 59, 26 and 4 per cent of the population respectively. Six clones (11% of the population) changed their sex in various ways and became inconstant individuals. Studies on protein profiles undertaken during flowering and non-flowering seasons envisaged that the constants and in constants differed remarkably with respect to their protein levels. Continuous hedging may bring out plasticity of sex expression in a small per cent of population.

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Ashok Kumar , K. Gurumurthi

Abstract

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Ashok Kumar , K. Gurumurthi

Abstract

At the Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore, pioneering work was carried out by establishing the clone bank, comprising 55 clonal selections, of Casuarina equisetifolia. Of these, 42 clones were planted for the evaluation in completely randomised design at the clonal testing area (CTA) of the Institute. The data recorded at 12 months of age for plant height, diameter at ground level (DGL), diameter at breast height (DBH) and mean bole volume (MBV) showed significant genetic variation among the clones. The broad sense heritability and genetic advance was calculated for all the parameters recorded. Co-heritability values for six combinations of traits was worked out, and are presented. The results on interim assessments of clonal performance suggest large yield improvement possibilities in this species.

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Ashok Kumar , K. Gurumurthi

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The effect of symbiotic association of three Frankia strains on growth, biomass and nodulation was studied on 10 clones of Casuarinaequisetifolia in a nursery experiment. Significant improvement was observed after 90 days of inoculation with all the Frankia strains. Of them, ORS 020607 was found to be the most effective strain on all the characters studied except ischolar_main length. The most promising association was recorded between strain ORS 020607 and Casuarina clone CHCE890903. Frankia inoculated clones recorded 93, 51 and 116 per cent improvement in shoot length and dry matter production, respectively at 90 days after inoculation.

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R. Yasodha , R. Sumathi , P. Malliga , K. Gurumurthi

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Bench scale method for commercial propagation of Bambusa nutans and Dendrocalamus membranaceous was developed using seed quality and seedling vigour to mass produce quality propagules. Multiple shoots were produced from nodal segments of aseptically grown seedlings, cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium containing BA. Rooting was done in 0.5 mg/l BA. This method produced 967 plants ofBambusa nutans and 1069 plants of Dendrocalamus membranaceous in the span of 5-6 months which can be sealed up four times through maeroproliferation.

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Ashok Kumar , K. Gurumurthi

Abstract

The path analysis was performed in male and female ortets separately for total and wood biomass. In both the sexes, DBH was the most important trait for selection. However, DGL in male and tree height in female were equally important traits for selecting superior perfformers in the field.

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P. S. Ravwat , D. S. Negi , J. S. Rawat , K. Gurumurthi

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Experiments were designed to test the "Luxury consumption" of water by Eucalyptus Hybrid. The results show that under flooded condition as well as at near flood capacity. Eucalyptus hybrid transpires water contiously. Results also show that under condition of restricted soil moisture supply, controlled stomatal closure occurs leading to reduction in transpiration rate. It is concluded that groeing Eucaluptus hybrid around 15 per cent soil moisture level brings about optimal water undergo without serious reduction in dry metter production.

Keywords

Eucalyptus Hybrid, Transpiration, Behavioural, Water Use Efficiency, Luxury Consumption

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