Piare Lal

Abstract

Large scale Eucalyptus plantations have been raised on degraded forest and marginal farm lands and along road/rail/canal strips in India. Most of these past plantations have low productivity ranging from 4-10 m³ha^-1yr^-1 and large genetic variation because of poor genetic quality of seed used. Productivity and profitability of eucalypt plantations has been revolutionized with the development of genetically improved, fast growing and high yielding clonal planting stock of eucalypts by ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Limited from 1989 onwards. Average productivity of commercial Eucalyptus clones is around 20to25 m³ha^-1yr^-1 and many farmers have achieved record growth rates of 50 m³ha^-1yr^-1 making clonal farm forestry an economically attractive land use option. Significant improvements in quality of produce and reduction in per unit production costs have also been possible with the use of true to type, uniform and genetically improved clonal planting stock. A series of successful demonstration plots, high quality of technical extension services, buy back arrangements combined with bumper yields and high economic returns have been the key factors leading to the success story of technology based clonal eucalypt plantations in many states of India.

Keywords

Eucalytpus, Clonal Plantations, India, Agroforestry, Extension, Productivity

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

India has growing shortages of timber and wood-based products. Agro-forestry plantations promoted by wood-based industries and raised by a large number of small farmers and imports play a major role in bridging the demand supply gap. Private sector companies like Wimco and ITC have played sterling role in promoting technology based high yielding clonal plantations under agro-forestry on commercial scale. Productivity of clonal plantations is many times higher compared to the productivity of normal seedlings. Many wood-based industries are now emulating their healthy example. Unfortunately, current policies are neither conducive to involvement of private sector in the urgent task of restoration of degraded forests nor to the integrated development of agro-forestry plantations and wood-based industries. Therefore, policy makers, professional foresters, wood-based industries and civil society should join hands to usher in a second green revolution - this time based on wood production through technology based plantations using genetically improved seed and clonal planting stock. Instead of being importers of huge quantities of timber and wood-based products into India, it is possible for India to emerge as net exporter of timber and woodbased products if we adopt innovative policies and involve all sections of society including the corporate sector to raise technology based plantations on suitable degraded forest lands and exploit full potential of agro-forestry plantations.

Keywords

Agro-forestry, Private Sector Role, Quality Planting Stock

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

This paper highlights various factors which determine the productivity of plantations and reviews published literature covering productivity and timber yields of plantations based on genetically improved clones. Well managed clonal Eucalyptus and poplar plantations on good sites can produce high quality wood at rates exceeding 50 m³/ha/year compared to less than 1 m³/ha/year productivity of India's forests. Thus genetically improved clonal planting stock, supported with sound silvicultural management practices and marketing support, can contribute immensely to meeting demand for wood and wood-based products on sustainable basis. Innovative policies for promoting integrated development of technology-based plantations and wood-based industries will also create vast employment opportunities through local value addition, save scarce foreign exchange and indirectly conserve our biodiversityrich forests. This is the only practical way to achieve the stated goal of 33% good tree cover in India.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

This paper briefly reviews the excellent progress made in India for development of genetically improved, fast growing and comparatively disease resistant clones of Eucalyptus. Benefits from large scale clonal plantations to farmers, civil society and greening of India are explained. Need for continuous R & D support for clonal plantations programmes is highlighted. Paper highlights R & D priorities for continuous improvements in the genetic qualities of commercial clones and improved package of silvicultural and management practices for clonal plantations. Continuous research and development support is most essential for any large scale commercial clonal plantations programme. There is need for further improvements in silvicultural and scientific management practices as well as replacement of best clones of today with better ones in future on continuous basis. Collaborative research and careful prioritization of research projects will lead to reduction in costs and enhance benefits. Policy constraints hampering growth of clonal plantations on degraded forest lands and agro-forestry plantations on private farm lands need to be addressed. Extension services must be strengthened for taking the research findings from lab to land and maximizing benefits of vast potential of clonal technology for the society and farmers of our country. Poplars are being planted under irrigated conditions in North-western parts of India on a very large scale. Encouraged by the success stories of clonal eucalypts and poplar plantations, R& D work is in progress for development and deployment of superior clones of many important species like Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), Gamhar (Gmelina arborea), Teak (Tectona grandis), Acacia mangium etc. Similar approach and R & D priorities, as discussed for Eucalyptus clones, will be valid for most of the species amenable to vegetative propagation for promotion of large scale high yielding clonal plantations.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

Genetically improved, true-to-type and uniform clonal planting stock, of field tested clones adaptable to specific sites, has revolutionized productivity of plantations of Poplars and Eucalyptus with major improvements in quality of produce and profitability. Current demand for clonal planting stock of poplars in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is around 15 million plants per year. Demand for 'Bhadrachalam, clones of Eucalyptus is growing rapidly in Andhra Pradesh and current demand for farm forestry plantations is 2.5 million saplings annually. Maintenance of genetic purity, health and vigour of clones and matching of adaptable clones to specific planting sites require high technical skills and experience. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that Central and State governments should take appropriate steps immediately for registration of genetically improved clones, clonal nurseries and certification of genuine clonal planting stock so that interests of the growers can be safeguarded against possible supplies of spurious plants in lieu of improved clones. This paper covers these and related issues.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

Intense biotic pressures and major weaknesses in the National Forest Policy and its implementation have resulted in serious degradation of forest resources. The gap between supply and sustainable availability of biomass including fodder, fuel wood, industrial round timber and NTFP is growing. Unfortunately, the revised National Forest Policy announced in 1988 has not been conducive to sustainable development of forest based raw materials and wood based industries. Substantial improvement in productivity of forest resources on sustainable basis is critically important for meeting the national needs and conserving the forest resources. Innovative policy initiatives are required for reforestation of 32 million ha degraded forest areas in a time bound manner with appropriate species matching the present site conditions. Priority for reforestation should be given for areas with good soils but devoid of tree cover as it is counter productive to tackle most difficult sites first meanwhile allowing the better sites to degrade to the point of no return. As massive financial investments will be required for reforestation of degraded forest lands supplemented with genetically improved planting stock and competent professional management with accountability for results, corporate sector and all sections of society should be encouraged to participate in the national effort of reforestation. Simultaneously Policy must promote farm forestry and afforestation of wastelands and marginal agricultural lands, through innovative policy changes, fiscal incentives and tax benefits.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

Genetically improved clonal planting stock of Eucalypts, Poplars and Acacias has transformed the productivity and profitability of plantations. Average yields from such clonal plantations are 20 to 25 times higher compared to the average productivity of forests in India. Current levels of clonal Eucalyptus and poplar plantations produce nearly 5 million cubic meters wood valued at 21,000 million rupees annually. Plantations sustain most of the wood based pulp and paper mills and plywood/veneer factories in the country saving precious foreign exchange. Well managed clonal Eucalyptus plantations covering 1.25 million ha. can meet country's entire pulp and paper requirements projected at 8.5 million tonnes by 2010-11. Likewise, high yielding, short rotation clonal Eucalyptus plantations on part of the degraded forest lands can meet country's fuel-wood needs on sustainable basis. Clonal plantations, both on degraded forest lands and under agro-forestry system, should be encouraged and integrated with planned development of wood based industries through innovative policy changes.

Keywords

Clonal Forestry, Tectonagrandis, Dalbergia sissoo, Populus deltoides, Ballarpur Industries Limited, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa

Full Text

     

Piare Lal , A. S. Dogra , S. C. Sharma , G. B. S. Chahal

Abstract

The dependence of human population as well as livestock on forests all over the world to meet the requirements led to degradation of forests, natural resources and depletion of floral/ faunal diversity. The degradation of forests threatens the ecology and has resulted in climate change. India's forests have very low growing stock 65 m³/ha compared to world average of 110 m³/ha. Similarly mean annual increment is also very low 0.5 m³/ha/year compared to world average 2.1 m³/ha/year. Therefore it is needed to improve the productivity of forest resources and plantations by planting of high yielding species or clones to meet the forest based growing needs of the inhabitants. Eucalyptus and Poplar have been widely grown in Punjab either under agroforestry or as block plantations. Generally Eucalyptus is raised through seed that brings lot of variation. The eucalypts, a fast growing species and widely adopted in Punjab has tremendous scope for raising through clonal technology to keep it true to type and maintain its superiority. Keeping this objective, clonal research and demonstration plot was planted at a spacing of 4 × 2 m with 36 clones and seedling source as control at Semi (Jallandhar, Punjab) during August 2001. The clonal material is derived from E. tereticornis, E. camaldulensis and E. hybrid. The periodical data on diameter at breast height (d.b.h), height and volume was recorded. The most productive clones (2070, 285, 316, 288, 498, 286 and 2045) in clonal testing area (CTA-1) were ranging with m.a.i. from 24 to 30 m³/ha/year at 4 years age. The clones (601, 2029, 2054, 2152 and 2011) suffered heavy damage by wind in this experiment. The most productive clones (413, 407, 285, 290, 105 and 72) in CTA-2 were ranging with m.a.i. 30 - 36 m³/ ha/year at 4 years age. The clones 285 and 290 suffered crown damage heavily during winter where as 271, 272 and 315 led to low productivity due to wind damage. The clone 413 performed significantly superior among all other clones at 4 years of age. The present study revealed that clones 2070, 316, 288, 413 and 407 can be considered for plantations under Punjab conditions. However, new 42 CPTs have also been selected by Punjab State Forest Department from their old plantations of Eucalyptus to improve gene bank for future multiplication of promising clones.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

No abstract

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

Almost the entire 76 million ha recorded forest area is owned and managed by the State Governments in India. The Government funds forestry research by the State Forest Departments and various Forest Research Institutes under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education. Legislation for sui generis protection for breeder's rights is still pending, and there is no mechanism for certification of seed of forestry species or registration of clones. There is no wonder, therefore, that there is little incentive for private sector investments in forestry research. Despite many 64 constraints, ITC Bhadrachalam has been implementing a major research and development project since 1989 with a view to improving the productivity and profitability of plantations and making farm forestry an attractive land use option. Main R&D thrust has been on genetic improvement of planting stock and improvement of package of practices. Major gains in productivity of Eucalyptus have been achieved in a short time span through applications of vegetative propagation and cloning techniques with gainful exploitation of existing useful variation and developmentJdeployment of locality specific, high yielding, fast growing and disease resistant clones. Starting with cloning of 64 CPTs of Eucalyptus tereticornis and Mysore Gum during 1989, more than 500 CPTs have been cloned so far. Based on the performance of individual clones in the field trials, 72 promising, fast growing and disease resistant clones have been identified. These clones are now well-known as 'Bhadrachalam' clones with productivity ranging between 12-44 m³/ha/yr under rainfed conditions compared to 6-10 m³/ha/yr productivity of normal seed route plantations. Further, research work for identification of still better clones is continuing. Several intra-specific hybrids have been developed through controlled pollination between selected best 'Bhadrachalam' clones of E.tereticornis. Hybrid progeny is under evaluation and many hybrids are showing extremely good promise at one-year age. Development of inter-specific hybrids between E. tereticornis and E. urophylial/E. torelliana is progressing well. Extremely well defined research objectives, competent and committed scientific personnel, continuity of research plans and personnel, adequate delegation with accountability and wholehearted support at the topmost level of the Company have been key factors leading to emergence of ITC Bhadrachalam as respected pioneers in the field of clonal technology and technology based plantations in India. The Company's efforts have been recognised with three prestigious awards and technical consultancy assignment for World Bank aided Forestry Development Project in Maharashtra State. The entire nation is now benefiting from these unique 'Bhadrachalam' clones.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal , H. D. Kulkarni , K. Srinivas , K. R. Venkatesh , P. Santha Kumar

Abstract

The paper describes success story of Clonal Technology Research and Development Programme for genetic improvement of planting stock of Eucalypts through vegetative propagation and cloning techniques being implemented since 1989. Comparative data in respect of adaptability and growth rates has been presented and discussed. Details of most promising clones called 'Bhadrachalam' clones of Eucalypts selected for large scale commercial multiplication, with their origin and performance in various trials have been given. Progress of Eucalypt plantations, major constraints and factors contributing to success have been described. Development and deployment of genetically improved, high yielding, fast growing and disease resistant 'Bhadrachalam' clones of Eucalyptus on commercial scale for the first time in India, by a private sector company, ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Limited, have been highlighted.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

Per capita forest area of 0.8 ha is getting reduced because of deforestation and increase in world population. Consumption of fuelwood, industrial roundwood and wood products is projected to increase substantially. The challenge for meeting increased demands must be met through sustainable and appropriate forest development strategies. Intensive forest management practices and plantations of fast growing species will play increasingly important role. Vegetative propagation supported with long term breeding strategies ensure maximum immediate and long term advantages. Major benefits of clonal option have been highlighted. Factors influencing economic gains have been discussed. Specific examples of substantial gains in productivity and improvement of desirable qualities of plantation wood have been given in respect of Eucalyptus in Congo, Brazil and India. Successful examples of clonal reforestation with many other tropical hardwood and temperate species have been given. Long term breeding support, including hybridisation and gainful exploitation of heterosis through cloning, will revolutionise productivity of plantations with substantial improvement in desirable wood qualities. Sound silviculture and management practices, with due safeguards, are essential for enhancing gains from clonal plantations.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal , H. D. Kulkarni , S. N. Rao

Abstract

Forestry should be treated as a complementary rather than a competing land use, vis a-vis agriculture. National forests are under intense biotic pressure with low growing stock and poor productivity. Even after taking all possible measures for restoring the growing stock and improving land productivity of forests from the current level of 32 million m³/yr, it Will not be possible to meet the growing national needs for timber and wood projected at 418 million m³/yr by 2010 AD. Well-planned investment in technology based plantations, with genetically superior planting stock on vacant government lands, reclaimable wastlands, rail road and canal strips, combined with massive thrust in agroforestry plantations, should be a national priority. Improved package of practices, scientific management of plantations with accountability for results, technical extension services, long-term finance and marketing support for agroforestry plantations, will play a vital role in bridging the gap between demand and availability of wood. Such plantations will also generate ample employment opportunities for the rural poor and contribute immensely to the greening of the country, amelioration of the environment, maintenance of the ecological balance and life-support systems. Succesful implementataion of the reafforestation and agroforestry programmes will help sustain improvement of agricultural productivity and production through soil and water conservation and release large quantities of cow-dung for use as farmyard manure to restore soil fertility.

Full Text

     

Piare Lal

Abstract

Certain clones of exotiC poplar P. deltoldes have been found to be extremely fat growing and well adapted for farm forestry plantations under irrigated conditions In northwestern plains of Uttar Pradesh, parts of Haryana and Punjab. Avaliability of long term bank loans and possibility of good economiC returns at short rotations of 8 years and multiple industrial Uses of poplars have made them extremely popular with farmers. More than 10,000 farmers have already planted 18,320 has with poplars under agroforestry in Uttar Pradesh, Haryan and Punjab states. Improved package of practices for nursery raising, selection of suitable sites, transplanting operstions and maintensnce of poplar plantations have been described for improving yields, quality of timber and economic returns.

Full Text