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
Survival, establishment and early growth of six major and economically important
mangrove plant species, namely sundri (Heritiera fames), gewa (Excoecaria agallocha),
goran (Ceriops decandra), passur (Xylocarpus mekongensis), kankra (Bruguiera sp.) and
baen (Aviccnnia officinalis) were studied in two salinity zones (moderate and strong
saline) of the Sundarbans mangrove forests of Bangladesh at the age of five years after
planting. The objective of the study was to enrich the vacant and poorly regenerated
areas of the Sundarbans for its sustainable production and management.
The percentages of planted seedling’s survival and establishment by fencing at
moderate saline zone were 84.9, 74.3, 63.5, 60.6, 40.6 and 38.9 for gewa, goran, sundri,
kankra, passur and baen respectively. The average height growths of these species were
1.94 m, 1.04 m, 0.90 m, 1.18 m, 1.71 m and 2.90 m respectively. Except gewa and goran
all the seedlings of other four species died due to deer browsing when planted in
unfenced condition.
The paper presents the micromorphological features of culm epidermis of 26
bamboo species occurring in Bangladesh. Different attributes of long cells, silica
bodies, cork cells, stomata, papillae and dermal appendages are provided in a table.
The study reveals that these micromorphological characters have taxonomic value at
species level. But due to homogeneity any delimitation cannot be defined at
supraspecific level.
The paper also provides an identification key to 26 bamboo species occurring in
Bangladesh, based on culm epidermal characters.
An attempt was made to isolate and study the cellulolytic microorganisms from
the soil under two deciduous (Tcctona grandis L. f. and Lagerstroeinia speciosa L.) and
two evergreen (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Acacia auricul’iformis A. Cunn.
ex Benth.) forest plantations, and the relation of these organisms with the soil
nutrient of the forest (N, P, K and carbon) has been observed. Among the isolates,
finally selected 11 isolates comprised of one bacterial strain (Cellulonionas sp.), five
strains of Streptomyces and five fungalstrains (Aspergill usflavus, A. nigcr,A.ochraceous,
Trichodernia lignorum, T. glaucum). Cellulolytic activity of these strains has been
reported.
Provenances of mangium (Acacia mangium Willd.) from Queensland (Australia),
Papua New Guinea and Indonesia were planted under three site conditions
of Ilocos Norte, Masbate and Bukidnon regions in the Philippines which are
edaphically, climatically and topographically different from each other.
Highly significant (P<0.01) variations in diameter, height and merchantable
height growth performances of 18 provenances at Ilocos Norte, 12 provenances at
Masbate and 12 provenances at Bukidnon at5.5 years after planting were observed.
The best growth was observed in Bukidnon site, and the provenance 13240
(Ellerbeck Rd. Qld.) of the species exhibited the best growth performance at that site
which could be selected for pilot plantation trials in the Philippines.
The paper presents the method of raising seedlings of Calamus viminalis var.
fasciculatus and their performance after planting out. Germination per cent of C. viminalis
was 24.37. Sunlight was pre-requisite for the germination. Optimum time for seedling
pricking from the seed bed to the polybag was 90 days after germination, and in this 100%
survival could be obtained. A survival of 98% was observed in the wildings when they
were transferred from the field to the polybags at an average height of 8.5 cm. One year
old wildings were significantly lower in height in the nursery than that of one year old
polybag-raised seedlings. Survival of planted seedlings at Hinguli, Chittagong in the
field was 77.5% after one year. Average height increment of the seedlings was 25.5 cm
with usually 4-5 leaves one year following planting under a teak plantation.
The mangrove of Sundarbans in Bangladesh is intended to be managed on a
sustained yield basis. But a remarkable decline in the growing stock of the merchantable
trees is reported in recent decades. This necessitates exploring avenues for improving
productivity of the forests. There are sizeable areas in the Sundarbans with scanty or
little vegetation due to failure in natural regeneration. Rehabilitation of poorly
stocked and vacant areas by enrichment planting could play a vital role in increasing
the wood production of the forests.
This paper discusses the scope of artificial regeneration in the Sundarbans to
improve the stocking and the yield. Research findings available in this direction have
been reviewed. Excoecaria agallocha and Ceriops decandra appear to be suitable for
planting in less productive but normally inundated areas. Plantations of Nypa
fruticans can be established on vacant canal or riverbanks over the greater parts of the
forests. The raised lands that do not support mangrove vegetation can be planted
with non-mangrove species like Sanianea saman, Albizia procera, Lagerstroemia speciosa
and Acacia nilotica. Studies have been initiated for a remedy to the problem of top
dying of Heritiera fonies, the dominant species of the forest. Research activities from
various aspects are underway to evolve methods to increase tree density and forest
cover.
The life cycle of Melocanna baccifera (Roxb.) Kurz plant ends with flowering, so the
species is a semelparous in nature. In a population flowering is initially sporadic which
gradually becomes gregarious and then again turns into sporadic before mass scale
death of the clumps. The flowering continues in a specific direction like a “wave”, with
a period of 12 to 14 years or more, spreading over the whole forest area. Details of
inflorescence character, flowering nature, anthesis and fruiting behaviour have been
discussed. Unlike most other bamboos, this species produces fleshy green pear-shaped
fruits (seeds). The “seed” viability and germination pattern were studied. The problem
and management system of natural regeneration after the death of flowering clumps
were also discussed.
It was estimated that the species exhibited more than one flowering cycle
(interseeding period) in different localities of Bangladesh-India-Myanmar region. Some
populations have 30-35 years of flowering cycle, and others may have further longer (45,
60,65 years) or shorter (7-10,19-21,25,26,27 years) duration. It appears that there exists
a number of flowering population in the region and they might be isolated from each
other by reproductive time. In the boundary areas, however, populations are likely to
overlap with each other and some of the clumps may flower after shorter, and others
after longer periods or in between. Enormous genetic variabilities arc expected within
this vast natural habitat due to such diversities in flowering cycle that offers opportunities
for selection and improvement of the species.
Evaluation was made on growth response of one year old Eucalyptus camaldulensis
seedlings to various dose-combination of NP fertilizers under a comparatively poor site
condition of Silvicultural Research Station at Keochia. Results indicate that the maximum
average height (262.17 cm) and diameter (2.08 cm) of the seedlings in one year were
attained through application of urea and triple super phosphate (TSP) combinedly at the
rate of 30 and 20 g/pit respectively with a basal dose of muriate of potash (MP) at
20 kg/ha. Application of the above mentioned fertilizer dose promoted above-ground
green biomass production almost 8 times higher than the control. Subsequently, the
biomass distribution to shoot, leaf and twig was modified. The intake of nutritional
elements by the seedlings was found to increase due to application of fertilizer
Teak (Tectona grandis Linn, f) is one of the most
well-known versatile timbers in the world. Its
large scale cultivation is much hampered by various
factors. Among them poor germination of
drupes (fruit with seed) is a major constraint. The
causes of poor germination are many such as
emptiness, prolonged and protracted germination,
season and method of seed collection, age of
mother tree and innate problems prevailing in the
seed itself (Dharmalingam 1995). Several informations
exist on method and season of seed collection
of many tree species. But such informations
are scanty in teak. Against this backdrop, a study
was made to find out the influence of collection
methods on germination and seedling attributes
of teak.
The growth and biomass production of 17 provenances of Acacia mangium were
studied at the age of 5.5 years at Keochia Silvicultural Research Station, Chittagong.
The provenances showed significant differences in survival, height and diameter
(dbh) growth. In terms of height and dbh, Boite PNG provenance has shown the best
performance among the 17 provenances. But the provenance Iron Range QLD,
produced maximum (15.7 t/ha/yr) above-ground oven-dry biomass followed by
NW of Ingham QLD (11.8 t/ha/yr).
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.
