Rhizome assemblies and clump form and growth of nine arboretum grown bamboo species have been studied. Rhizome stalk has been found to play an important role in determining the form, shape and growth of clumps. This is due to not only the characteristic length of the stalk in some species but also its role in orienting the rhizome in relation to the centre of the clump and the mother culm in general and the line of gravity in particular. In areas where bamboos are worked heavily it is the rhizome stalk that is first affected and may result in congested clumps in species otherwise monopodial or loosely tufted. Rhizomes are commonly attacked by pathogenic soil ganisms, Parts like rhizome stalks, whole bud of the rhizome may be partly or wholly consumed or otherwise become inoperative and although these parts contribute to the development of rhizome assembly they do not contribute towards the growth of clump. This reduces the rate of growth of clumps considerably. Irrespective of species, only 8 percent of the buds develop into normal culms, 77 percent remaining dormant and 15 percent are damaged by pathogenic soil mlcrooganisms. It has been concluded tha- application of antipathogens individually or in combination with fertilizer will ameliorate the conditions of growth and considerably increase the outturn.

The long interval of flowering and seeding has made propagation of bamboos very difficult. Offset plantings are not suitable for large scale plantations. Attemps with branch cutting, layering, etc. for propagation showed low percentage of success. Tissue culture has yet to be tried.

The present study showed that rhizome buds are monoprimordial, represented by the cone of rudimentary sheaths only. The food stored in the rhizome and rhizomatous swelling is utilized by their lateral and terminal buds. The root primordia are borne outside rhizome-buds. The culm and branch-buds are multiprimordial. Each structure is similar to the rhizome consisting of root, rhizome and shoot primordia.

The number of primordial structures and their relationship with the breaking of buds, dormancy and continuous growth in various species of bamboos have been investigated, analysed and discussed.

In tissue culture the entire primordial structure might have to be used as a propagule unlike the use of only callus tissue as in the case of dicots.

Bangladesh is blessed with 119 species of mammals (Khan 1982). The abundance of such a large number of species in a small territory has been possible because of a diversified flora, a characteristic of tropical forests. However, the existing mammalian population indicates a distinctly
deteriorating trend during the past several decades. No systematic survey of mammals has ever been carried out for the area now under the territories of Bangladesh. It is, therefore, difficult to quantify the magnitude of loss. Our knowledge is limited to some old records made by Blanford (1888) and Pocock 1939, 1941) and some recent works (Choudhury 1969, Mountfort 1969, Husain 1974, Khan 1982). None of these records is complete and uptodate and, therefore, further studies are needed in this direction. A reconnaissance survey was made during 1978 and 1979 to assess the status and distribution of some mammals of Bangladesh. This paper discussess the status and distribution of 21species covering 8 families.

This work includes the determination of moisture content, bulk density, shrinkage, drying properties and strength properties of Coconut wood. It also incorporates some of the findings of other countries. All the properties indicate that Coconut wood offers an excellent possibility of its use in round form as well as in converted form. The strength values of Coconut wood suggest that it can provide necessary materials for low cost housing. The lower part of the bole may be used for making furniture and utility items, while both sawn and round wood may be employed for transmission poles and posts. Thus Coconut wood may serve as an alternative to wood-raw material.

Satellite Remote Sensing data arc being extensively used in change detection and vegetation cover studies. Visual interpretation of LANDSAT imagery, black and white aerial photographs, colour Infra-red aerial photographs, diazo false colour composites of LANDSAT imagery, computer enhanced image, digitized image and stereoscopic photo interpretation techniques were adopted for the study of change detection and vegetation cover of “Nijhumdwip”. The purpose of the study was to find out the rate of accretion and the succession of vegetation in the island. Groundtruth missions were performed for the collection of data. Information generated by the various methods of interpretation were correlated with known field data.

Experiments to determine the role of wounding and inoculation of fungi in the formation of the aromatic base, agar, in the wood of Agar tree (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.) were conducted in two Agar plantations at Lawachara near Srimangal. Effects of (i) inoculation and wounding, (ii) open wound with or without oleoresinous deposits, and (iii) time of creation of open wounds on agar formation have been studied. Fungi associated with the early stages of agar formation were isolated and identified.

Formation of agar in the otherwise healthy whitish agar wood can be initiated by the creation of open wounds on the trunk of Agar tree. There is no primary role of any specific fungus in the formation of agar as was previously believed. Following open wounds, microbes existing in the air spora infect the wounded tissues. The response of the host to wounding and invasion by the pioneer micro-organisms result in the agar formation. Time of creation of the open wounds has a special bearing on agar formation. Suggestions for further studies are provided.

Sal seeds generally mature between the months of April and May. It may vary according to location. The seeds fall as soon as they mature. The germination of seed starts soon after maturity and it may germinate even on the tree (Troup 1921). When germination starts, the tip (apex) of the fruits splits longitudinally (at right angle to the pedicel of the seed) and the radicle emerges from the apex of the seed.

Germination percentage is influenced by various factors. Cockburn and Wong (1969) stated that germination percentage of Sal depended on the size of seed trees and collection of seeds from the tree rather than from ground. Troup (1921) reported that sound fresh seed had a high germinative capacity. Sal seed, however, rapidly loses its viability. Depth of sowing is also an important factor in germination. Cayford and Waldron (1969) found that germination depended on sowing methods and depth of sowing. Defective sowing of Sal seed in nursery in Indiahad led to low germination percentage (Singh et al. 1975). The present investigation was, thus, undertaken to determine the effect of sowing orientation of seed on germination.

Pestalotia sp., a fungal pathogen causing leaf blight disease of pony al ( Calophylum enophylum Linn.), was isolated. The finding was confirmed by the artificial inoculation of healthy leaves ofpanyai plants with the isolated pathogen. Besides, the average quantitative incidence and infection index of the disease on naturally infected plants during 1976-1978 were estimated.