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
Wood destroying agents which attack wood
also attack wood products. It is well known that
preservation plays an important role in the use of
naturally non-durable species of wood and wood
products by increasing its service life. Similarly
preservative treated plywood has a greater service
life. The common preservatives for composites are
boric acid and borax. These compounds are effective
against decay and sap staining fungi and wood
destroying insects. Rubber wood (Hevea
braziliensis) is a non-durable species and susceptible
to fungal and insect attack quickly after sawing. It is
assumed that without preservative treatment rubber
wood could not be a suitable raw material for
plywood and particleboard manufacture. Veneer
obtained both from sapwood and hardwood of non-durable timber species when used for plywood
manufacture should be soaked in 1.25% solution of
boric acid or 1.90% solution of borax at a
temperature of 93°C to 100°C for a period of 10 to 40
minutes depending on species and thickness of the <
veneer (Anon. 1983). With this aim in view the
present study has been undertaken.
Sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), koroi (Albizia procera), akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis),
babla (A. nilotica), mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and raintree (Samanea samari) are the six
major species planted on the embankments and roadsides in the coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Growth data of these species were collected from the area, and growth models were selected by
regression techniques. The selected models may be satisfactorily used for the species in the area.
Vegetable dye was extracted from the seeds of sinduri {Bixa orellana (Linn.)} using
water (soaking method) and ethyl acetate (soxhlet and reflux methods) as solvents. Reflux method
gave the highest yield (10.1%) while soxhlet method yielded 7.10% of dye. In soaking method,
seeds were soaked in water for four different time periods. The highest yield (8.93%) was
obtained in 18 hours out of 6,12. 18 and 24 hours soaking periods. Considering the chemicals and
processing cost, water soaking method appeared the best although it gave slightly lesser amount of
dye compared to other methods. The performance of the extracted dye for its edibility was studied
in laboratory against rats. After feeding the dye, mixed with waler, the physiological changes of
rats were observed. The test showed no adverse effect, and it seemed that the dye is non-toxic to
animals. Thus, it can be suggested as a substitute to chemical dye as food colourants.
Koroi (Albizia procera) and arjun (Terminalia arjuna) are the two important species
included in the plantation programme in the central part of Bangladesh. Volume tables of these
two species planted in the area have been prepared. These volume tables are applicable for small
and medium sized trees of the respective species planted in the area.
Banspata (Podocarpus nerifolius) is endangered and the only indigenous naturally grown
gymnosperm species in Bangladesh. It is difficult to propagate largely through seed due to its
scarcity in natural forests. Current study shows that macro-clonal propagation technique can be a
tool for raising its propagules for commercial plantation as well as establishment of seed source.
Two types of cutting viz. young green leafy and woody non-leafy cuttings were treated with 300,
500 and 1000 ppm of IBA. In young green leafy cuttings 300 and 500 ppm of IBA treatment
showed better performance in terms of rooting percentage, root development and growth. But, in
woody non-leafy cuttings 500 and 1000 ppm of IBA treatment showed good rooting percentage as
well as root development and growth.
Naturally crossed hybrids ofAcacia mangium x Acacia auriculiformis are found in the A.
auriculiformis and A. mangium plantations of Bangladesh. During 1995 superior hybrid Acacia
trees were selected and propagated by using shoot cuttings for establishing a hedge orchard.
Coppice shoots sprouted from this hedge orchard plants were used as stem cuttings for rooting
trials, and successful cuttings from different clones provided planting materials for clonal trial
experiments. There were highly significant differences between cuttings taken from different
zones of the shoot (cutting types) and hormone treatments in the number of successful cuttings
and number of roots produced per rooted cuttings. Tip cuttings (2 noded) rooted 71.5% and
produced 3.7 roots per rooted cutting when treated with 500 ppm IBA. Similarly, 3rd node cutting
also rooted 80.0% and produced 4.1 roots per rooted cutting under the same treatment. A slight
decrease in rooting success (55.5%) and number of roots (3.2) per rooted cutting were recorded in
4th node cuttings under the same treatment. But percentage of rooting success and number of
roots per rooted cuttings were not increased in the above mentioned three types of cuttings when
treated with higher concentration (1000 ppm or 1500 ppm) of IBA. When a higher concentration
of IBA (1000 ppm) was used in treating 5th node cutting better (50.0%) rooting success and
number of roots (3.3) per rooted cutting were observed. In respect to rooting success and number
of roots produced per rooted cutting the variation between the cuttings of different zone of the
shoot (cutting type) and hormone treatment was highly significant. There were significant
differences between clones in height growth. The highest and lowest height growth were recorded
in clone 2 (87.21cm) and in clone 13 (38.5cm) respectively.
This paper presents information on propagation and culm production of Bambusa
vulgaris and B. polymorpha by node cutting method. Five clumps each of B. vulgaris and B.
polymorpha were selected for the study. One culm from each clump of both the species were
collected and segmented into one-node cutting of 30 pieces in three sections (upper, middle and
lower) with sharp saw. Then propagules were developed from node cuttings in the soil bed
nursery during the rainy season (June-July). Node cutting of only middle portion of the culm
produced roots and rhizomes. Sixty six percent node cutting of B. vulgaris and sixty percent of B.
polymorpha of the middle portion produced roots. After having rooted and rhizomed successfully,
10 healthy propagules were planted at a spacing of 3.5 m x 3.5 m in the field for their growth
performance. Node cuttings of B. vulgaris produced 4.28 culms and those of B. polymorpha
produced 2.12 culms per clump per year. There is significant difference of culm production at 5%
level (t = 3.5678). After five years of the planting, the bamboo attained merchantable size and was
harvested from the clumps of both the species. This method with no temperature and moisture
control facilities and propagation structure was found suitable for the farmer.
This paper describes the selection of yemane (Gmelina arborea) plus trees. Using point
grading method, 24 plus trees (PTs) of yemane were selected at Talacogon, Mindanao, Philippines
to collect quality seeds and also to use these PTs as the base for future breeding and tree
improvement programmes. Average height of the selected plus trees was 25.50 m and the average
height of the comparison trees was 22.75 m. Selection differential for height was 2.75 m (12%).
Average diameter of the selected plus trees was 28.50 cm and the average diameter of the
comparison trees was 25.25 cm. Selection differential for the diameter was 3.25 cm (13%).
Average selection intensity was 1 tree out of 2,284 trees (approx. 1 tree in 4 ha).This is
comparatively a high selection intensity. It is recommended that for any future breeding
programme with Gmelina arborea, at least 50 plus trees should be included and the selection
intensity may be as low as one tree out of 10,000 trees.
Experimental planting with Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk. was undertaken to assess its
suitability on denuded hilly areas of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Germination of the species was 70
percent, and the seedlings attained a height of 40-60 cm in the nursery at the age of one year.
Average survival of the out-planted seedlings in four locations was 34.7 percent with 1.85m mean
height and 1.92 cm mean diameter after three years. Survival and seedling increment decreased
with increasing height of hill slope, apparently because of gradual low soil moisture content.
Strong and direct sunshine seemed to have adverse effect on seedling survival. The prospect of A.
malaccensis appeared to be uncertain for the denuded areas. However, further investigation needs
to be undertaken.
Despite the increased recognition of the significance of market dynamics of homestead
forestry, research on the subject has remained strikingly limited. This research focuses on selected
aspects of marketing of homestead forestry products in two areas (Habilashdip and Chunati
Unions) in the district of Chittagong. The study mainly probes into principal actors in the market,
channel of marketing (for example grower-middlemen, middlemen-consumer etc.) the trends on
domestic consumption and sale of homestead agroforestry products, and the major problems (for
example absence of cooperative, poor storage facility, middlemen dependency) associated with
marketing. A number of measures for better marketing of homestead agroforestry products have
been suggested. The article ends with an exhortation for increased research on marketing of
homestead forestry.
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.
