BANGLADESH JOURNAL OF FOREST SCIENCE
A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
A Half-yearly Peer Reviewed Journal of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute
Plantation Trial Unit Division of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI) carried out a research in the central coastal belt (Noakhali area) of Bangladesh with Areca catechu L., Cocos nucifera L., Phoenix sylvestris Roxb., and Borassus flabellifer L.from 2019 to 2021 in order to assess the growth performance of these four native palm species. Seedlings of these species, except C. nucifera, were raised in polybags, and 10—12-months-old seedlings were planted in the field in June of every year. The study was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replications and the spacing was 1.82 m for A. catechu and 5.48 m for other three species. A. catechu had the highest survivability (96.67 and 70.33%) after 0.5 and 2.5 years of plantation, and C. nucifera had the highest (86.67%) survivability after 1.5 years of plantation. On the other hand, B. flabellifer had the lowest survivability (77.78%) after 0.5 years of plantation and P. sylvestris had the lowest (58.87 and 40.07%) after 1.5 years and 2.5 years. After 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 years of plantation, C. nucifera had the highest (1.13, 1.67, and 6.62 m) and B. flabellifer had the lowest (0.51, 0.75, and 1.08 m) height. After 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 years of plantation, the highest numbers of new fonds were found for C. nucifera (3.51 nos.), A. catechu (3.69 nos.), and P. sylvestris (4.67 nos.), respectively. But the lowest numbers (2.04, 3.34, and 3.33 nos.) of new fonds were found for B. flabellifer. This result will be helpful for raising large-scale plantations with these four palm species in the Noakhali coastal belt areas of Bangladesh.
Plantation Trial Unit Division of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRl) carried out a research in the western coastal area of Bangladesh during 2018—2020 in order to assess the growth of Sonneratia apetala (Keora) in relation to stand age. For this purpose, in the Char Kukri-Mukri area, 32 PSPs were established for eight age classes (11, 15, 20, 30, 35, 40, 42, and 45 years), and in the Rangabali area, 28 PSPs were established for seven age classes (30, 35, 42, 44, 45, 48, and 50years), followed by a stratified random sampling method. A significant difference was found (p < 0.05) for the height and diameter at breast height (DBH) growth of S. apetala stand among the different ages of plantation in both areas. At the Char Kukri-Mukri area, for 11 years old plantation found the highest height (0.357m) and DBH (0.570cm) growth rate after 1 year and continued after 2 years (0.662m; 1.085cm). On the other hand, for a stand age of 30 years, the highest height (0.216m) and DBH (0.246cm) growth rate were found in the Rangabali area after 1 year and continued after 2 years (0.353m; 0.390cm). A positive and strong relationship was found between height and DBH growth
rate after 1 and 2 years (r=0.850 and r=0.891) in the Char Kukri-Mukri area respectively. On the other hand, a positive and very strong relationship was found between height and DBH growth rate after 1 and 2 years (r=0.931 and r=0.913) in the Rangabali area
successively. This result will aid in the selection of appropriate forest management practices for managing S. apetala plantations on a sustainable basis in the western coastal belt of Bangladesh.
Toon wood (Cedrela toona) is less known in Bangladesh as a commercial timber species, but it also has the prospects of being used for joinery, musical instruments, and some specific furniture manufacturing purposes depending on its physical and mechanical properties. This study was intended to identify the compatibility of Toon (Cedrela toona) wood for furniture manufacturing in terms of exhibiting some machining and hand tool properties viz., planning, shaping, boring, mortising, and turning tests. The appraisal in both machining and hand tool property tests were based on the frequency of the defect-free samples. The finishing property was also ascertained by using two types of polishing materials, viz., carpa and shellac. The defects of the samples were conjectured by visual and tactile observation. The percentage of defect-free samples was assessed for each property operation and classified based on five quality grades. The results of this study mainly emphasized good working properties, and toon wood may be suitable for furniture manufacturing.
A study was conducted from July 2015 to June 2017 in Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary (HWS) of Bangladesh to find out mammalian species diversity, population density and identification of major threats to the mammalian species of this sanctuary. Various methods were used including transect survey to detect diurnal mammals, and camera trap to identify nocturnal mammals. A total of 33 species of mammals were recorded which belongs to 20 families under 9 orders. Among the recorded species, 13 species of carnivores, 4 bats, 2 Primates, and 6 species of rodents constitute the major pail of mammalian community. According to IUCN (2015), among the recorded 33 mammalian species, 11 species were threatened (4 critically endangered, 5 endangered, 2 vulnerable), 15 species were least concerned and 7 species were nearly threatened. Hunting and poaching, human-wildlife conflict, use of poison for fishing, road inside the forest, forest fire, encroachment for gardening, non-insulated electric wire, grazing were identified as major threats to the mammals of this sanctuary.
The experiment was undertaken to investigate the retention of 10% Chromated-Copper-Boron (CCB) solution (2:2:1) in Kala-koroi (Albizia lebbeck) (L.) Benth. wood applying soaking as well as diffusion method. The assessments were applied for 5, 7, 9 and 11 days for both the method. Retention was recorded 1.96 kg/m3,11.78 kg/m3,12.92 kg/m3 and 13.61 kg/m3 in A. lebbeck wood where soaking method applied. Moreover, retention was found 5.22 kg/m3, 6.43 kg/m3, 7.32 kg/m3 and 12.36 kg/m3 in A. lebbeck wood when diffusion method applied. In case of both methods the highest retention was recorded 13.61 kg/m3 and 12.36 kg/m3 for 11 days. Considering the Standard of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), i.e., 13.61 kg/m3 and 12.36 kg/m3 retention can meet the suitability of the study.
There is no abstract for full volume.
Artocarpus chanta Bmich, Ham. ex Wall. (Chapalish) is a large, deciduous indigenous forest tree species grown in natural forests. The seed of Chapalish is recalcitrant and loses viability within a few days of maturity that makes problem in storage of the seeds. Optimum storage conditions found useful for prolonging the viability of recalcitrant seeds through preventing water loss. The study was taken to identify the suitable storage methods in order to prolong the seed viability of A. chanta. Nmsery trial was conducted at the National Forest Seed Centre, Seed Orchard Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute to evaluate the effects of storage conditions and duration on germination of chapalish seeds. Seeds were stored in five different storage media, viz. i) open room (control), ii) sand, lii) chalk powder, iv) ash and v) sawdust with 8 different storage periods (days), viz. 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 days. The effects of storage media and storage periods (days) were assessed through seed germination and seedling growth performance. Viability and seedling growth performance were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by storage media, storage periods and their interactions. The results revealed that chalk powder media exhibited significantly higher germination percentage, root length, shoot length and vigor index. It also revealed that it can prolong the viability of Chapalish seeds up to 40 days with 60% germination and was statistically significant at 5% level. The findings may be useful to nursery practioners, foresters, and private plant growers for Chapalish seeds. The storage condition is convenient, low-cost and easily applicable to all nursery owners.
Bamboo is an abundant source of biomass that is underutilized despite having a chemical composition and fiber structure similar to wood. However, there is limited information about the chemical characterization of its culms for its utilization and processing. This paper investigated the main chemical compositions of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years old B. longispiculata (Talla bamboo) at their three specific positions (top, medium and bottom). All the tests were conducted following the standard TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry) methods. The water-soluble extract of the bamboo is in the range of 3.94-7.09%, 4.56-7.20% and 19.12-27.64% for cold water, hot water and caustic soda (1% NaOH) solubility respectively for 1-5 years old bamboo at their different ages and heights. The top culm position of 5 years old bamboo had the maximum holocellulose content (72.83%). The bottom part of 5 years old bamboo showed the highest (6.39%) benzene-ethanol extract. On an average 3 to 5 years old of bamboo showed the highest lignin content (30.86%) while the minimum lignin content (25.75%) was observed for the top culm position of one-year-old bamboo. Thus, the chemical characterization in the bamboo species will facilitate the alternative use of their processing and utilization-related industry.
Heat treatment is often used for improve the dimensional stability of wood. In this study, the effect of heat treatment on physical and mechanical properties of Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) and Acacia hybrid (Mangium x Auriculiformis) wood were examined. Samples were exposed to temperature levels of 110°C, 130°C and 150°C for time spans ranging from 3, 6 and 9 hours. Treated samples had higher mechanical properties compared to control samples. Based on the findings, dimensional stability of all types of wood samples improved with heat treatment. It seems that properties of these wood evaluated were more pronounced with increasing temperature and time durations.
Strength properties are very important for paper grading; usually recycled fibre produce low grade paper. However, it is not easy to produce quality paper from recycled paper without addition of virgin pulp. In this study, the paper was made by mixing new pulps in different proportions with recycled pulp from used paper to explore their quality, and hence their various physical and mechanical properties were tested. A mixture of newsprint books and whiteprint books (1:1) was used to make recycled pulp through hydrapulper (a type of pulp-making machine). The reaction conditions were: temperature 50°C, duration 30 minutes, pulp consistency 10%, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 0.8% (w/w), sodium silicate (Na9SiO3) 0.8% (w/w), detergent 0.15% (w/w) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 0.8%(w/w). The resulting pulp was thoroughly washed with tap water and the adhesive and plastic substances were removed with the help of a screening machine. Tossa jute fibre was used to make new pulp because its bastfibre and pulp quality is excellent. The fibres were first to cut into 1.5-2.0 inches and then pulp was made using the neutral sulfite anthraquinone (NS-AQ) method with an alkaline rate of 20% at 175°C. The test papers of 8 cm diameter and 1.25 cm thickness were made by mixing the new pulp with the recycled pulp in seven proportions (90:10, 80: 20, 70: 30, 65:35, 60:40, 55:45 and 50:50).Then the physical and mechanical properties of the test papers such as freeness (rate of water removal from the pulp), tear index, tensile index, burst index, folding endurance were determined. Strength factor (Tear index x Tensile index) of produced paper are 406.29(90:10), 482.05(80:20), 588.15(70:30), 701.55(65:35), 757.26(60:40),745.53(55:45) and 820.83(50:50). The results showed that the quality of paper was increased with the increased ratio of jute fibre. It was also observed that “A” grade paper was obtained from a minimum 35% mixture of Jute pulp.
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