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 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
Teli garjan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus), dhakijam (Sygyzium grande) and teak (Tectona
grandis) are the three most important timber species included in the plantation
programme in Bangladesh. Sometimes, trees are being removed without recording
the diameter at breast height (dbh) and total height. As such it is not possible to
estimate the volumes of the removed trees. But, it is necessary to have an estimate of
volumes of the removed trees for different purposes. The stump diameters can be
measured while the stumps are still there after removal of the trees. Therefore, stump
diameter and dbh relationships have been established in the present paper so that we
can estimate the dbh of removed trees first followed by estimation of the volumes
using the.dbh volume relationships. It was identified that some mistakes were done
in converting the previously selected imperial volume equations to metric units for the
species teli garjan and dhakijam. These equations and tables have also been corrected.
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).
This study was conducted to examine the effects of post-severance treatments
like leaf area of cuttings and auxin treatment on rooting of cuttings and growth of
rooted cuttings. One or two-node cuttings of sissoo, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. with 20 or
50% leaf area were collected from managed stock plants and rooted in a non-mist
propagator following treatment with 0 or 0.2% indole-3 – butyric acid (IBA) solution.
The rooted cuttings were transferred to polythene pots and grown in a nursery for 10
weeks. Rooting percentages of cuttings were not significantly influenced by IBA
treatment or cutting size, but were significantly enhanced with the increased leaf area.
Effects of leaf area and IBA on root development of cuttings in the propagator were
manifested on the grow th of stecklings in the nursery. The increased leaf area and IBA
treatment significantly enhanced the growth of stecklings. Cuttings with 50% leaf
area plus 0.2% IBA was the best treatment to produce the best performing stecklings
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 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.
Termite is one of the major problems of forestry, specially in the tropics. Losses in the
forest nurseries and plantations due to termite damage can be substantial. Damage by
Coptotermes, Odontoternies, Microcerotermes, Microtermes and Macrotermes have been found to
be serious. This paper describes damages caused by these termites and suggests measures
for their management. Various alternative strategies for their management have also been
reviewed and 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.
