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
Five Trichoderma strains such as T. virens IMI-392430, T. pseudokoningii IMI-392431, T.
harzianum IMI-392432, T. harzianum IMI-392433, T. harzianum IMI-392434 were tested for efficacy to
inhibit and overgrowth of mycelia of Fusarium solani, a causal agent of root rot of Ashwagandha on
potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. Duel culture technique showed that all Trichoderma strains
effectively inhibited and overgrew mycelia of the pathogen, especially T. harzianum IMI-392432
providing the highest percent of inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) (69.32 %) and overgrowth mycelia
(59.28 %). Liquid culture filtrates having 75% concentration extracted from 30-day-old T. harzianum
IMI-392432 showed the highest percent inhibition of mycelia growth (PIMG) value of 76.23% by using
normal poison agar technique. Further, highest percent inhibition of conidial germination (PICG) (82.86
%) of the pathogen was exhibited by T. harzianum IMI-392432 at same culture and concentrations. In this
study it was observed that different Trichoderma strains have good antagonistic effect on Mycelial growth
and conidial germination of F. solani. In each case, T. harzianum IMI-392432 performed the best
bio-control agent against F. solani causing root rot disease of Ashwagandha.
This paper presents the plant diversity of Ampupara Village Common Forest (VCF), Bandarban Hill
District, Bangladesh, which is managed by the Murang Community. A total of 148 plant species belonging
to 128 genera under 61 families has been recorded from the VCF of about 20 ha. Habit diversity of plants
from this reserve shows that out of 148 species, 82 are trees (55%), 28 shrubs (19%), 24 herbs (16%) and
14 species are climbers (10%). Among the taxa, Euphorbiaceae contains the highest number of species (10)
followed by Rubiaceae (9), Verbenaceae (7), Moraceae (6), Anacardiaceae, Asteraceae, Arecaceae (5),
Mimosaceae, Acanthaceae, Lamiaceae, Meliaceae and Fabaceae (4). The most common species is Kanok
(Schima wallichii). Regarding habitat preferences, members of Araceae, Zingiberaceae and Pteridophytes
are found to grow along the streams and lower slopes. In the paper, species are enumerated with scientific
name(s), Murang names and diversity of habits and habitats. Dominant tree species of the three strata has
been described. This VCF is conserved by community effort for conserving the biodiversity. Occurrence of
148 species over about 20 ha areas seems to have a good number of species diversity which is comparable
with other government managed forest situations in the country.
Lizard diversity in the Chittagong University Campus (CUC) was studied from August 2012 to
December 2014. Seventeen species belonging to four families (Agamidae, Gekkonidae, Scincidae and
Varanidae) and eight genera (Calotes, Gekko, Hemidactylus, Eutropis, Lygosoma, Scincella,
Sphenomorphus and Varanus) under the Order Squamata were recorded. Family Scincidae comprised the
highest number of species (7 i.e., 41.18%) and Agamidae was the lowest (2 i.e., 11.76%). Status,
distribution and habitat of the lizards in the CUC have been discussed.
Agar defoliator, Heortia vitessoides Moore (Crambidae:Lepidoptera) is a major defoliator of agar
tree (Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk.) in Bangladesh. The larva of this pest causes partial or complete
defoliation affecting the growth of the plant seriously. The pest has five to six overlapping generations in
a year. The peak infestation occurred during May-June. The mean percentage of trees infested ranged
from 48-72 %. The intensity of attack was more in the trees grown in the open than under shade.
Chemical pesticides Malathion 57 EC (malathion), Ripcord 10 EC (cypermethrin) and botanical pesticide
Neem oil were applied to control the pest both in the laboratory and field conditions. Among these,
Malathion 57 EC showed best performance followed by Ripcord 10 EC and Neem oil respectively.
A seasoning schedule was developed for different thicknesses of ghora-neem [Melia sempervirens (L.)
All.] wood. The seasoning time of 2.5 cm thickness of sawn wood required 9-10 days to attain 16% moisture
content in solar kiln and 22-23 days in air dry conditions, respectively. On the other hand, for thickness 4.0
cm and 5.0 cm sawn wood required 12-13 days and 16-17 days in solar kiln and 27-28 days and 31-32 days
in air dry conditions, respectively. Moisture content decreased with increase in time duration.
A study was carried out on the herpetofauna of the Baraiyadhala National Park in Chittagong,
Bangladesh by direct field observations during August 2012 to July 2013. In total, 38 species of
herpetofauna belonging to 3 orders (Anura, Testudines and Squamata), 16 families and 32 genera were
recorded. Out of the 38 species, 10 (26.32%) were amphibians and 28 (73.68%) reptiles. Among the
reptiles, 2 (7.14%) species were turtles, 12 (42.86%) lizards and 14 (50%) snakes while all but one (Asian
Common Toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus) amphibians were frogs. Among the amphibians, Cricket
Frog (Fejervarya sp.) constituted the highest density and Bengal Leaping Frog (Hylarana tytleri)
accounted for the lowest. The density of South Asian Giant Gecko (Gekko gecko) was the highest and
Indian Rock Python (Python bivittatus), Gray Cat Snake (Boiga siamensis) and Banded Krait (Bungarus
fasciatus) were the lowest among reptiles. Local status (relative abundance) of herpetofauna were
assessed where 15 (39.47%) species were rare, 11 (28.95%) fairly common, 9 (23.68%) common and 3
(7.9%) were very common. Of the recorded species, 15 (39.47%; 2 amphibians and 13 reptiles) were
threatened including 2 Critically Endangered (CE), 6 Endangered (EN) and 7 Vulnerable (VU).
The strength and seasoning properties of timber species, Swietenia macrophylla King were studied. S.
macrophylla is found moderately strong. The volumetric shrinkage is higher and the specific gravity is
lower than that of Chittagong teak which was recommended as standard for comparison of other timber
species of Bangladesh. The species can be seasoned properly in the solar kiln and in air-drying yard. The
species is found suitable for making furniture and other household articles as far as Seasoning and strength
properties are concerned.
Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre is a fast
growing medium-sized, nearly evergreen tree
species. It attains a height up to 25m, with straight
or crooked trunk up to 50 cm diameter (Allen and
Allen 1981). The crown is broad, spreading or
dropping branches with dense foliage. The species
is found in humid and sub-tropical environments.
It occurs naturally in lowland, near canals, rivers,
waste places, along the edges of mangrove forest
and tidal streams. In Bangladesh, it usually grows
on the sandy mud in the coastal districts and in the
fresh water swamp forests of the north-eastern
wetlands.
Hopea odorata Roxb (telsur) is a timber
species of the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is
available in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar,
Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and
Vietnam. In Bangladesh, telsur occurs naturally in
the forests of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and
Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT), and also planted in
forest plantations and as road side avenue trees
(Hossain 2015). The tree reached up to 45m in
height with the base of stem diameter of 4.5m.The
timber is valued for its durability, resistance to
insects and use for weight-bearing construction.
Telsur is a commercially valuable species, but
significantly disappearing from the natural
habitats. Therefore, Hopea odorata is currently
assessed as vulnerable in IUCN red list of
threatened species. Therefore mass plantation of
telsur is necessary for the national aspect.
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