Diseases of 6 to 12 month old seedlings of Bokul, Debdaru, Jam, Kajubadam, Kumvi, Mohua, Sal and Shimul were recorded from Rasulpur Forest Nursery, Modhupur in 1974. Symptoms of the diseases have been briefly noted. Fungi were isolated from diseased seedlings, pathogenicity tests carried out in vitro on detached young leaves were the basis for ascertaining seven fungal and one algal pathogens. The extent of occurrences of the diseases was also recorded.

Garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus) is one of the most important species growing in the natural forests under Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts forest divisions. Attempts were made to establish Garjan plantations since 1923 and from the last decade more attention has been directed to raise Garjan plantation on wider areas. The prospects of these plantations have been studied in this paper in order to aid planners in fixing up physical targets for production and management, find an indication of long-run price behaviour of produced timbers and finally assess the rate of economic return of plantations.

The paper indicates the long-run gap between the demand for and supply of Garjan timber. Some major problems of managing Garjan plantation are pointed out and suggestions affecting the cost factors and yield position are made.

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.