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
The physical and mechanical properties of Jhau (Caswarma equisetifolia) grown in Chattogram timber species were studied. The results indicate that jhau wood is fallen in very heavy and very strong categories. The specific gravity and the volumetric shrinkage of Jhau timber is higher than
that of Chattogram teak which was recommended as standard for comparison of other timber species in Bangladesh. The species can be used for house posts, agricultural implements, tool handles and other household articles.
Kaptai National Park (KNP) is a protected area and represents a tropical semi-evergreen hill forest and home of widest variety of biodiversity in the country. Floristic composition and regeneration status of Kaptai National Park was assessed through stratified random sampling method. A total of 200 sample plots were taken of 20 m * 20 m in size for trees and 2m * 2 m in size for regeneration data collection. Result of the study showed that there were 114 tree species belonging to 42 families and 77 regenerating species belonging to 35 families were recorded from the sample plots. The highest tree stem and regenerating seedlings density was found 373 stem ha-1 and 11788 stem ha-1 for Aporosa dioica. The study indicated that A. dioica is the most dominant tree species and its natural regeneration was also abundant in Kaptai National Park. On the other hand, Shannon-Wiener’s diversity index, Margalef’s diversity index, Simpson’s and Pielou’s diversity index were recorded for all the tree species. The percentage distribution of seedlings was maximum (56.56%) in 0-50 cm height range for all species. The number of seedlings reduced proportionately with height growth indicating a reduction of recruitment to next growth stage. Among the regenerating species, Grewia nervosa showed maximum (9.15%) seedling recruitment. The study is made baseline information on the natural regeneration of tree species diversity in the protected area which is helpful to future research work on plant population change, conservation and sustainable management planning for Kaptai National Park.
A study was investigated to assess the preliminary growth performance of sal (Shorea robusta) in
mixture with its four associates e.g. chakua koroi (Albizia chinensis), motor koroi (Albizia
lucidor), shimul (Bombax ceiba), udal (Sterculia villosa) and other three site suitable species e.g.
neem (Azadirachta indica), teligaijan (Dipterocarpus turbinatus), dhakijam (Syzygium firmum) in
degraded sal forest in the northern region of Bangladesh. Two experiments were established in
June 2017 and June 2018 at Charkai Silviculture Research Station, Birampur, Dinajpur. Sal and
motor koroi, chakua koroi, neem and teli garjan were planted in four treatments with four
replications in 2017. In 2018 sal and shimul, udal, dhakijam were planted in three treatments with
four replications. Randomized complete block design was followed. Plantation was established in
June-July. Each replication plot was 14 m x 14 m in size with 49 seedlings for mono-plantation
and 49 seedlings for mixed plantation in 483 ratio at 2 m x 2 m spacing. Single line alternate was
applied in mixed plot for raising plantation. In the experiment, preliminary data on the survival
rate, height (cm) and diameter (mm) of two-years-old and one-year-old seedlings of sal and
associate species from single and mixed plantation data were collected in July, 2019. Analysis of
data showed significant differences among sal and selected treatment species at 5% significant
level other than neem. These findings revealed that, as site suitable species, garjan and dhakijam
showed the significant growth performance in mixture with sal as well as in mono-plantation.
Moreover, chakua koroi, motor koroi and udal can also be considered as good associates of this
suggested sal mixed plantation.
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Mature seeds of Uvaria cordata (Dunal) Alston were sown in polybag, nursery bed, propagator house, and root trainer and investigated to find out the suitable media for raising seedlings for conservation programs of species in Chittagong University Campus. The germination percentage, germination index, germination value, shoot length, collar diameter, leaf number were assessed for 12 months old seedlings in the nursery. The germination percentage (92.31%), germination energy (35.89%), and germination value (2.6493) were found the highest in T2 treatment (seed sown in nursery bed) and significantly (p<0.05) different from other treatments except for To (polybag). Maximum germination index (0.2713), germination uniformity (0.0039), and minimum germination start time (30 days) observed in To (polybag), significantly (p< 0.05) different from other treatments. After 12 months of germination, maximum shoot height (25.57 cm), collar diameter (6.32 mm) and leaf number (16.40) revealed highest in T3 treatment. Seeds sown in polybags were revealed comparatively better germination behavior than other treatments. Seeds
sown in root trainer were found suitable for vigorous seedlings production for Uvaria cordata.
Germination percentage of Tamarindus indica L. seeds were observed with 4 pre-sowing treatments viz, i) soaked in cow urine for 24 hours, ii) soaked in cow dung slurry for 24 hours, ii) soaked in tap water for 24 hours, iv) soaked in hot water (100 0 C) for 30 seconds and followed by one hour in tap water and v) control, in the nursery of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute, Chattogram. Growth performances of seedlings were also determined in nursery and field conditions. The germination test was conducted in nursery bed filled with soil and decomposed cow dung at a ratio of 3:1. The growth performance of seedlings were determined by transferring the young seedling after 30-45 days of germination having 5-6 leaves from germination bed to polybags (15 cm × 23 cm) filled with soil mixed with cow dung. Growth performance in the field was observed by out planting one year old seedling at 1.5 m × 1.5 m, 2.0 m × 2.0 m and 2.5 m × 2.5 m spacing. Germination percentage was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by pre-sowing treatments and highest germination percentage (86%) was obtained in cow urine treatment for 24 hours and lowest (44%) was found in hot water treatment. Growth performance of seedlings was also influenced by pre-sowing treatments in the nursery and highest vigor index was observed in cow urine treatment (3988) and lowest in hot water treatment (1629). Survival percentage of seedlings was highest 98% at 2.0 m × 2.0 m spacing in the field and average height was more than 68 cm after 12 months of out planting. Therefore, pre-sowing treatment of seed in cow-urine for 24 hours suggested for nursery raising and one old year seedlings may be planted at 2.0 m × 2.0 m spacing in the field for successful plantation of the species.
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the suitability of medium density fiberboard (MDF) made from hybrid Acacia wood fiber as raw material and urea formaldehyde (UF) as resin binder. Single layer fiberboards were fabricated by five different densities e.g. 700, 725, 750, 775 and 800 kg/m3 using hybrid Acacia wood fiber. Mechanical and physical properties including modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) of the fiberboards were tested according to the Indian Standard (IS 2380:1977). The results of the physical and mechanical properties of the fiber boards were compared with Indian Standard (I 12406: 2003), Euro Standard (D-6300, 1990) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) MDF standard (A208.2, 1994). The results showed that the 800 kg/m3 density fiberboards made from hybrid Acacia wood had the best MOR value and maximum IB strength characteristics among the others. For 800 kg/m3 density fiberboards the MOR value was above the Indian & ANSI Standard but lower than the Euro Standard; and the IB strength value was above the Indian, Euro & ANSI Standard specifications. Water absorption and thickness swelling properties were used to determine the water resistance of the fiberboards.
Dendrocalamus giganteus is one of the biggest and largest bamboo of Bangladesh which is locally known as bhudum bansh. The conventional
propagation methods of bamboos are not economically viable for large scale production due to their scarcity of seeds, low multiplication rate, labor intensive and high cost. In vitro propagation is becoming a promising tool for conserving and mass propagation of different bamboo species. In this study establishment of a reliable and reproducible protocol for the micro propagation of D. giganteus from axenic culture of in vitro germinated seedlings has been reported. Highest 83.33% seeds were germinated on MS (Murashige and Skooge 1962) medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L BAP (6-benzyl -amino-purine) after 7 days of culture. MS supplemented with different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/L) of BAP and Kn (6-furfuralaminopurine) at evaluated either singly or in combinations for multiple shoot production. Maximum 16.33 numbers of young shoots per culture were recorded in medium supplemented with MS + 3.0 mg/L BAP + 1.0 mg/L Kn + 4% sugar + 2.75 g/L after 28 days of culture. Rooting ability of the shoots was assessed in half strength MS media supplemented with different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 mg/L) of IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid). The highest rooting percentage (66.67%) was achieved from the half strength MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L IBA 2 after weeks of culture. The rooted plantlets were successfully hardened in soil under greenhouse and nursery of Silviculture Genetics Division, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute. The survival percentage of tissue culture plantlets in nursery was found to be 90-95% after 60 days of acclimatization. The protocol developed through this study enable to produce large number of D. giganteus bamboo seedlings for mass propagation in a short period of time.
Functioning and productivity of forest ecosystems vastly dependents on the phenological characteristics of the tree species. The study was carried out from June 2017 to December 2018 to explore the phenological traits of 74recalcitrant seed bearing tree species of natural forests and plantations in Bangladesh. Data were collected from Chittagong University campus, Hathazari, Boalkhali, Hazarikhil, Dohazari, Rangamati, Kaptai, Ukhiya, Bandarban and Khagrachari through repeated field visits including review of published papers. The results showed that flowering, fruiting and seed maturity periods varied from species to species. The Seventy Four tree species belongs to 55 genera of 31 families. Maximum (39.19%) fruits were under the Berrycategory and minimum (1.35%) in Samara. The study revealed that floweringof maximum species occurred during March (54.05%) and fruiting inMay(54.05%). The peak period for collecting viable recalcitrant seeds was foundboth in May and June (36.49% respectively). The study will be a readyreference with information on flowering, fruit initiation and seed collection time of 74 recalcitrant seed bearing trees of Bangladesh. The findings of thestudy may be useful to the nursery owners, foresters, and private plant growers for collection of seeds in right time and establishment of the plantations. This paper may also be a supportive document to the policymakers in taking decision on raising seedlings of recalcitrant seed bearing trees for mass plantations towards the greening program of the country.
Jarul (Lagerstroemia speciosa L. Pers., Family- Lythraceae) is a semi-deciduous medium to large-sized tree with fluted bole, small buttress and slightly flaky bark tropical flowering tree species. It is a common ornamental tree planted along roadsides, gardens and parks in Bangladesh. The main aim of this study is to develop mathematical models for total volume estimation of jarul. To meet the quest we have tested 21 models for volume equation by regression technique. The best-fitted model for studied species have been selected by highest value of R2 (coefficients of determination), the lowest value of Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The selected models also validated by Chi-square test of goodness of fit, Paired t-test, Percent Absolute Deviation (%AD) and 45 degree line test. The study appearance that, for one way analyses the model ln (V) = a+b ln (D) and for two way analyses ln (V)= a+b ln (D)+c ln (H) appeared to the best model for estimating the standing tree volume of jarul. Conversion factors equation has been determined to estimate under bark volume and under bark volume of different top end girth of 30, 35, 40 and 45 centimeters from these models. The best-fit volume model showed the highest efficiency in volume estimation compared to previous developed volume model of this species in terms of Model Prediction Error (MPE), Model Efficiency (ME) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE).
The paper deals with seed germination behavior and seedling growth performance of Calamus latifolius Roxb; with 5 pre-sowing treatments in the nursery and field conditions. The pre-treatments of seeds were i) seeds soaked in tap water for 24 hours, ii) soaked in tap water for 48 hours iii) soaked in 20% H2SO4 for 10 minutes iv) scarification with wire net and v) control (Seeds were sown without any treatment). Pre-treated seeds were sown in the seed bed filled with soil and decomposed cow dung at 3:1 ratio. The growth performance of the seedlings were determined by transferring 30-35 days old seedlings (having 2-3 leaves) from germination bed to the polybags filled with soil and decomposed cow dung media. Plantation in the field was made with one year old seedling. Germination percentage significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced with pre-sowing treatments and maximum germination percentage (70) was recorded in seed scarified by wire net and the lowest (44%) was in control. Growth performance was also influenced by pre-sowing treatments in the nursery and highest (1008) vigor index was found in seed scarified by wire net and lowest (475) in control. Seedlings survival percentage was over 92% after one year of plantation in the field. Average height was recorded 123.1 cm after two years of planting. Thus, seeds scarified by wire net can be suggested for nursery raising and one-year old seedlings may be out planted at 2m ×2m spacing for successful plantations of the species.
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.
