Kannan C. S. Warrier

Abstract

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Kannan C. S. Warrier , M. Ganesan

Abstract

Difference in growth performance between seed raised and clonally propagated plant materials, derived from nine 6-year old randomly selected female trees, grown in a clone bank of Casuarina equisetifolia L. was examined upto 3 years under controlled conditions. Half yearly observations on total height, collar diameter and data on shoot length, ischolar_main length, collar diameter, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, ischolar_main fresh weight, ischolar_main dry weight, biomass index and total biomass (fresh weight and dry weight basis) at the age of 3 were used for the study. The results of this early growth comparison clearly indicated the superiority of seedlings over ischolar_mained cuttings. This could be attributed to the fact that seeds were obtained as a result of random mating of the superior casuarina selections in the clone bank. Being a polygamous species, possibility of using clone bank as a research seed orchard exists in this species. Flowering and fruit settingwere observed in clones from 8 months onwards. However, no flowering was noticed in any of the seedlings. As mature branchlet cuttings from higher up the stem can be ischolar_mained which will flower at a very early stage, clonal route will be the most promising option to raise orchards for quick and quality seed production in C. equisetifolia.

Keywords

Clonal Forestry, Juvenility, Maturation State, Rooted Cuttings, Seed Orchard

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Kannan C. S. Warrier ¹, C. Kunhikannan ¹, K. R. Sasidharan ¹

Affiliations
1 Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education) PB 1061, R.S. Puram P.O., Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), IN

Abstract

Alappuzha is the only district in Kerala state without natural forests. Therefore, sacred groves of this region attract utmost attention as they are the only remnants of natural forests once present. An exhaustive survey carried out in Alappuzha district revealed the presence of 1128 sacred groves varying in extent. Plant species numbering 687 were recorded from the sacred groves covering an area of 83.55 ha of Alappuzha district. They belonged to 493 genera and 127 families. Many valuable medicinal plants and wild relatives of cultivated species have been recorded which are important in species improvement programmes. Twenty-seven species were found to be endemic to Western Ghats. Most of the sacred groves in Alappuzha were proved to be invaluable resource pockets of floristic diversity. Many sacred groves in the district face threat due to the dense human population and change in socio-economic status. Break up of ancestral joint family system to nuclear families is the major reason for deterioration of these valuable resources. 'Ulladans', the tribal community collect canes and firewood indiscriminately. Overexploitation of the resources by them has lead to its retrogression to a great extent. Removal of litter alongwith the seeds from the floor has also resulted in retrogression by hindering the natural regeneration process. Exotic weeds namely, Mikania micrantha, Lantana camera and Chromolaena odorata overgrow the native species and play a major role in degradation. A detailed database on important sacred groves containing all the vital information including soil type, nutritional status, flora, fauna, plant associations, population structure, cultural and religious aspects and management operations will help in prescribing site specific conservation strategy.

Keywords

Sacred Groves, Phytosociology, Floristics, Hotspots, Endemism.

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