Czapek Dox Agar modified by Oxoid (CDA) suppressed significantly the growth of Sclerophoma pythiophila (Gda.) Hohn compared to that on either of Malt Extract Agar, Potato Dextrose Agar or Oat Meal Agar. The effects of the individual ingredient of CDA on the growth of the fungi were also assessed. It was found that magnesium glycerophosphate of CDA was toxic to S. pythiophila but not to Ramichloridium pini de Hoog and Rahman. An increase of the dose of this salt from 0.5 to 4.0 g/1 of CDA medium resulted a further significant suppression of S. pythiophila compared to the growth of the fungus on CDA and supported considerably higher
growth of R. pini upto ten days. The new modified GDA medium was effective to act as a medium for selective isolation of R. pini and suppression S. pythiophila.

The main economic aspects of the family Ve benaceae in relation to the major categories of uses such as timber, medicine, food, fodder, ornamental, insecticide, dye and live fences in Bangladesh have been reviewed. Other passible uses have also been noted. The medicinal uses are grouped disease wise. A checklist of Bangladesh
species with the indication of their economic uses has been appended.

Diseases and disorders of rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) so far recorded from Bangladesh have been reviewed. An important leaf spot disease caused by Corynespora cassiicola (Bark and Curt.) Wei in January, 1985 and a root rot by Fusarium sp. in December, 1985 respectively at Ramu and Khagrachari rubber nurseries have been described. A severe dieback of grafted rubber seedlings at Kanchonnagar and Raozan rubber nurseries in 1985 was found primarily owing to very poor new root regeneration on transfer to polyethylene bag and secondarily due to the attack by Phomopsis hevae (Petch) Boedijn. During October, 1985 about 50% mortality occurred in bud wood nursery stock of alone PB—235 at Haludia rubber estate because of the phytotoxic effect of Elite Paint 713 (TR-Blue). Ganoderma pseudoferrum (Wakef.) Overecm and Steinm caused root rot in 1972 .ubber plantation at Dantmara. Yellowing of rubber seedlings of clone PBIGG at Khagrachari was due to nutrient deficiency.

Seeds often possess structural features that affect/restrict germination. These may be due to impermeability of seed coat and other coverings that prevent movement of water and/or gases. Mechanical restrictions that prevent expansion and growth of the embryo may also be involved and such features arc particularly common in seeds of Leguminosae family (Maguire 1980). The seed coat of such seeds cither physically restricts growth of the embryo or acts as a barrier to the free exchange of gases and uptake of water (Duffus and Slaughter 1980). In such cases the seed coat must be cracked or sacarified to permit entry of water and hasten the germination process (Anon. 1987). It has been found that hot water treatment of legume seeds can bring about an appreciable increase in the percentage of germination (Champion and Seth 1968) by loosening the seedcoat. The present experiment was conducted to find out the effect of hot water treatment of seeds on the germination of Albizia lebbeck and Delonix regia.

Shrinkage and density were studied for Teak (Tectona grandls) of five age groups ranging from 20 to 60 years at three height positions. Linear shrinkages were evaluated from green condition to 15 and O percent moisture contents. Density was determined on the basis of green and ovendry volumes. Shrinkage and density were found to be Independent of the height of the stem. The overall shrinkage and density were affected by the age factor. The variations in the average values of different age groups were, however, not observed to be significantly different in all cases.

One-inch planks of six indigenous timbers were investigated in a small kiln to develop optimum schedules for accelerated drying. Three schedules have been suggested. All of them were found to be significantly effective for drying timbers faster than the conventional kiln drying with acceptable degrades. It is recommended that timbers may be dried employing any one of these schedules depending upon the type of the timber, as well as, the drier.

Fibre analysis, chemical analysis, pulping and pulp testing experiments were conducted on Muli, Mitinga, Kali, Orah and Dalu bamboos of ages ranging from 6 to 36 months. No appreciable change in chemical composition, fibre dimensions, pulp yields and physical strength properties of pulps could be monitored with increasing age. The results indicate that probably these bamboo species attain their maturity during the first year of growth. For pulping purposes, these species seem to be suitable for a twelve months cutting cycle.

The paper evaluates the Teak (Tectona grandis Linn.) plantation programmes of Bangladesh in order to develop a suitable strategy for its long-term planning.

The percentage of Teak plantation in Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts (North), Chittagong Hill Tracts (South) and Sylhet Forest Divisions stands at 28, 20, 14, 14, and 12 respectively. 1-14 year and 15-29 year plantations constitute 48% and 45%
respectively.
The marginal value growth percent in good Teak plantations comes close to zero beyond 40 years. The ratio of basal area growth of non-Teak species to Teak in the mixed plantations of age 33 to 55 years ranges between 1.36 to 2.40 indicating that Teak grows poorly compared to many other species. Yield data have been compared with those of other Teak growing countries. It is concluded that there should be no plantation in sites worse than SI 30.

Assuming per capita consumption of 0.10 m³ and population growth rate as much as 0.30%, total Teak requirement by 2040 a. would be about 1.05 lakh m³ which amounts to 5% of total output. The required plantation area should lie between 3 and 5 percent only. The existing proportion of 70% is not economically justified. Five strategies with respect to sites, rotation, thinning and stocking are pointed out in order to make long-term programme consistent with socio-economic goals and national forest policy.