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
Albizia falcataria wood has been studied for the suitability of manufacturing
cement bonded particleboard. This species failed to produce board in workable
conditions with the untreated chips. A substantial improvement of properties was
observed when the boards were made with the chips treated in cold water. The
boards were tested for determining the strength and dimensional stability. The
product was found to be dimensionally stable after soaking in water. Even though
bending strength was found to be low, the tensile strength passed the standard
specification. Cement bonded particleboard made with this species can be used
where dimensional stability is necessary.
Studies were made to assess the physiological maturity for harvesting the seed
of Prosopis juliflora with high germination and vigour. Sufficient number of
flowers were tagged at the time of anthesis. The developing pods were collected
at weekly intervals, and pod and seed development were studied at each
collection. Pod and seed weight increased with the increase of age and reached the
maximum at 91 days after anthesis (DAA). In this stage pod colour turned from
green to straw yellow. The seed extracted at this stage resulted in maximum seed
weight, germination and vigour potential. Since the germination potential and
vigour of this species started declining after this stage (91 DAA), the physiological
maturity stage for honey mesquite (P. juliflora ) could be fixed at about 91 days
after anthesis.
Schumannianthus dichotoma (Family-
Marantaceae), locally known as patipata, is cultivated
in water logged and swampy lands over the
greater part of Bangladesh. Plantations of S.
dichotoma are established using rhizomes
(Mohiuddin and Rashid 1988, Rashid et al. 1993).
Attempts have been made at Bangladesh Forest
Research Institute (BFRI), Chittagong to raise seedlings
of this species from fruits which are available
free of cost as they have no utility. This paper
describes the method of nursery development
from collection of fruits to raising of seedlings in
polybags.
Keora (SonneratiaapetalaBuch.-Ham.faccourds
for almost 95% of the successful mangrove plantations
in the coastal areas of Bangladesh (RIMS
1997). In Chittagong coast, it constitutes 22% of the
plantations. It is not much commercially valuable
species. Moreover, the plantations are severely
infested by a beehole borer, Zeuzera conferta (Baksha
1996). Replacement of S. apetala preferably by
more valuable species that appear at later stages of
succession is needed to ensure sustainability of
the plantations. With this in view, underplanting
trial in the established S. apetala plantations with
different mangrove species was initiated. An interim
report (Siddiqi et al. 1992) shows success and
suitability of underplanting in western coastline
Physical and mechanical properties, durability and treatability characteristics of
21 timber species have been collated. Enduses of these species have been evaluated.
Based on the various uses, the species have been recommended as priority species for
plantation.
The production of pulp can be substantially increased by addition of anthraquinone
as a catalyst in kraft and soda pulping. However, a greater benefit can be
achieved in soda pulping. In assessing jute fibre as an alternative raw material for
pulping, it shows a promising prospect. The use of neutral sulphite anthraquinone
process can make conifer-like pulp from jute fibre.
Seedlings of Bambusa tidda Roxb. and Dendrocalamus strict us Nees were grown in the
nursery under four different light conditions, viz. sunlight, partial sunlight, shade, and
6 hours photoperiod up to nine months of age. Almost all the seedlings were dead (80 to
90%) under shade and 6-hr grolux electric light photoperiod conditions after 200 -270
days. Survival was highest (80-95%) under both sunlight and partial sunlight condition.
The seedlings were comparatively healthy, green and tall under partial sunlight. Under
these two light conditions seedings started clump formation within three months of age.
The clump formation was delayed and a very few bamboo seedlings formed weak clumps
under shade and 6 hours photoperiod conditons.
The paper describes particleboard making characteristics of three common bamboo
species, namely, Banibusa balcooa, Banibusa vulgaris and Melocaiina baccifera grown in
Bangladesh. Urea formaldehyde resin was used as the binder. The particleboards from
these bamboo species compare almost an equal strength properties with those from
wood species.
The shoots of ten bamboo species of Bangladesh have been tested in respect to
taste, flavour, texture and colour of the edible parts. The shoot colour and shape of
each species were described. The weight of outer cover (sheaths) and internal edible
portions of shoots are more or less same in most the ten bamboo species. Only three
species, Bambusa polymorpha, Melocantia baccifera, and Dendrocalaimis longispathns
were found to produce shoots with somewhat slight bitter to sweet taste and pleasant
flavour a t raw state. Shoots of the remaining seven species B. banibos, B. Longispicidata,
B.vidgaris, B. tidda, D. gigaiiteus, Schizostachyum dullooa, Thyrsostachys oliveri possessed
varying degree of bitterness or astringency. Fairly acceptable taste and easy
availability of shoots of M. baccifera made the species most common bamboo
vegetable for the tribal people of Bangladesh.
In all the species shoots production both by number and weight per clump was
found to increase in the second and third year, if continuously harvested. However,
the shoot production decreased per clump after third to fifth year if the harvesting
continued, and after sixth year of continuous harvest some species even stopped
shoot production. Continuous harvesting of bamboo shoots has been discouraged
and selective harvesting in every year has been advised.
Gamar defoliator, Calopepla leayana Latr. (Chrysomelidae : Coleoptera) is a major
defoliator of gamar (Gnielina arborea RoxbJ in Bangladesh. Both the larva and the adult
feed on the leaves making irregular holes on them. The distribution, description and
biology of various developmental stages of the pest are provided. The pest has three
generations in a year, hibernating as an adult from November to May. A common pupal
parasite, Brachymeria sp. and an egg parasite, Tetrasticlnis sp. were recorded. Biological,
chemical, physical and mechanical method for the control of the pest have been
discussed.
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.
