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
The African elephant Loxodonta africana
Blumenbach, a water dependent intermediate bulk
feeder is relatively unselective preferring grazing
to browsing (Van Soest 1982, Van Wijngaarden
1985). Unlike the elephants found in grasslands
(savanna) forest elephants are browsers and feed
mainly on shrubs and saplings in secondary
forests (Olivier 1978). Tire forest dwelling elephants
in Kenya are found in mixed forests along the
farmlands during wet seasons. Sometimes they
invade farmlands and eat agricultural crops such
as maize, bananas, sugarcanes and potatoes. As
the weather becomes drier, the elephants move up
the mountain where the forage is greener and
more abundant. If the drought persists they change
their feeding habit and start feeding on trees
(Beekman and Prins 1989) hence destroying forest
plantations. The forest elephants change their diet
from the scarce shrubs to tree bark during dry
season. In 1986 damage of forest plantations by
elephants increased and it was decided to assess
the severity of the problem. The main objective of
this study was to determine most damaged trees
by elephants.
This paper discusses the effect of relative humidity during storage on seed
longevity and sowing depth on germination of Prosopsis africana (Guill and Perr.)
Taub seeds. Freshly collected and two-years old seeds were used for this experiment.
Six levels of relative humidity (RH) values ranging from 22 and 100% were
obtained by using water and saturated solutions of some chemicals in closed
chambers at a temperature of 28 – 30°C. Sundrying did not change the initial
moisture contents of fresh seed, while RH of 0 – 22% and 72.5 – 100% degraded the
seeds resulting in a rapid loss of viability. Complete loss of viability occurred within
18-21 months at low RH regimes and 9-15 months at high RH regimes. Germination
and emergence of seedlings were significantly favoured when seeds were sown at
a sowing depth range of 2.6 cm.
The paper describes the gross and minute anatomical properties of Helicia
excelsa Blume (Proteaceae) and Vernonia arborea Buch. – Ham. (Compositae). It also
provides their probable uses based on anatomical properties.
Interaction of nine provenances of Acacia mangium Willd. were studied at three
sites of the Philippines such as Lubuagan, Vintar in Ilocos Norte (Region – 1),
Mapuyo, Mobo in Masbate (Region-5) and Lantapan Malaybalay in Bukidnon
(Region-10). The sites were climatically, edaphically and topographically different
from each other. The provenances studied were 13233 (Walsh’s Pyramid, Qld.),
13235 (Mourilyn Bay, Qld.), 13236 (Kurrimine, Qld.), 13238 (Tully Mission Beach,
Qld.), 13240 (Ellerbeck Rd. Cardwell, Qld.), 13241 (Broken Pole Creek, Qld.), 13242
(Abergowrie SF, Qld.), 13460 (Oriomo River, Qld.), 13621 (Piru Ceram, Indonesia).
Analysis of variance for diameter and height showed significant variations due
to provenance, site, and provenance-site interactions. All the provenances except
one (13621) showed the best growth at Bukidnon site due to main effect. The
significant provenance-site interaction was found at Masbate site which was mostly
due to the remarkably different growth behaviour of the provenance 13621.
Growth response of Acacia tnangiuni seedlings to cowdung and NPK fertilizers
was studied in Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chittagong. Use of cowdung
and chemical fertilizers either individually or combinedly caused significant increase
in seedlings’ height and biomass production. Application of cowdung alone
in soil and soil-cowdung mixture at 3:1 ratio showed best performance to enhance
both height increment and biomass production. The height growth and biomass
production of A. tnangiuni seedling ranked second when soil – cowdung mixture at
the rate of 5 : 1 ratio was applied in combination with NP each at 60 ppm level.
Chemical fertilizer alone showed less effect on the growth of the seedlings.
The growth and biomass production of twelve provenances of Eucalyptus
brassiana were studied at the degenerated sal forest areas of Madhupur, Tangail. The
trial assessed at the age of seven year showed poor survival (18 – 33%). The
provenances also showed both height and diameter growth differences but the
differences were not significant. Considering the above ground biomass estimation,
Provenance No. 13411, Weipa, Queens land showed the highest productions both
for mean trees (44.4 kg/tree) and per hectare basis (52.6 t/ha) followed by
Provenance No. 13396 E. Morehead, PNG.
This paper reports the infestation of teak canker grub, Dihammus cervinus Hope
(Cerambycidae : Coleoptera) in teak plantations of Bangladesh. It deals with the
nature and extent of damage, distribution, life history, number of generation and
host plants of the pest and its control measures. The pest affected on an average 14%
of the saplings. The attack was found mainly during the age of 2 – 6 years with a peak
in the third year. The pest was more prevalent in Chittagong Hill Tracts (North and
South) than in Chittagong or Cox’s Bazar Forest Divisions. An infested sapling often
contained one canker, but it might have up to four cankers. A canker usually
contained one larva but it might have 2-3 larvae. Most of the cankers were found at
or near the base of the saplings. About 10% of the infested saplings were found
broken at the cankered site. As regards to control measures, application of carbofuran
5G @ 6 gms/sapling at thebase and subsequently watered gave nearly 70% mortality
of the larvae.
Village forests of Bangladesh cover an area of 0.27 million ha while state owned
forests cover 2.25 million ha. Village forests, mostly privately owned are more
productive than the government forests, and supply about 85 per cent of timber
requirements of the country.
Both indigenous and exotic trees are the major components of the village forests
in Bangladesh. They are represented by about 183 species belonging to 136 genera
under 48 families. Floristic elements of this flora consist mostly of native, African and
New World taxa. About 50 species are exotics and many of them have been
naturalized. Exotics are still being introduced.
Most of the village trees in Bangladesh have multiple uses. About 40 are fruit
trees, and others produce timbers, fuel woods, fodders, tannins, pharmaceutical
products, etc.
Other than species diversity, genetic variations also occur in these village
forests. Homestead tree production system in villages is a mode of species and
genetic conservation for a good number of trees.
The paper presents the seed germination and seedling growth of jali-bet
(Calamus tenuis Roxb.) based on studies at Bangladesh Forest Research Institute,
Chittagong. Germination percentages were 70 for whole fruit, 10 for seed with pulp,
and 86.66 for clean seeds. Survival was 95.6% in the field when one year old seedlings
raised in polybags were planted. In 18 months after planting the seedlings attained
a height of 109.78 cm with 3.34 number of culms per plant. Clean seeds for nursery
raising, and one year old seedlings for out planting were found suitable for
successful plantations.
Bambusa vulgaris culms sampled from the riverside of Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia
were found to be suitable in the manufacture of cement bonded boards. The
relatively high sugar content of the culms, however, was found to give a retarding
effect on cement setting. In this study, cement ratio (1:3) was found to give better
board properties. Board with a bamboo – cement ratio of 1 : 2.75 with the addition
of 2% chemical additives produces an acceptable board which meet the requirements
of the Malaysia Standard MS 934.
Welcome to the Bangladesh Journal of Forest Science (BJFS) – a leading platform for advancing the knowledge and understanding of forest science in Bangladesh and beyond. Established with a commitment to excellence, BJFS serves as a cornerstone for researchers, practitioners, and enthusiasts dedicated to the sustainable management and conservation of forest ecosystems.
