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Open Access
Physico-chemical characterization of gum-oleoresin from Ailanthus triphysa(Dennst.) Alston and effect of ethephon on gum-oleoresin yield
(Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2020) Latha, K J; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
Gum and resins are natural bio-polymers having number of applications in pharmaceutical and food industries. Most of them are regarded as bio-degradable and safe because of their bio-compatibility, low cost, non-toxic, processing, environmental friendly and local availability. It is viable income source for thousands of forest dwellers. So the present study entitled “Physico-chemical characterization of gum-oleoresin from Ailanthus triphysa (Dennst) Alston and effect of ethephon on gum-oleoresin yield” was carried out at Arboretum, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara during the year 2018-2019. The main objective of the study was to assess the effect of different concentration of ethephon on gumoleoresin production in Ailanthus triphysa and also study the effect of diameter classes on production. The physical properties such as Solubility, pH, Viscosity, Moisture level, Color parameters, Ash content and chemical compounds were also determined as part of the study. A total of twenty-four trees were selected for conducting the study in which two girth classes (70-110cm, 111-150cm), four chemical treatments, each with three replications were taken. Data analysis was done on monthly intervals, showed significant difference in girth class on resin production in the months of June, July, August, November, December and April and in other months it found non-significant. It was observed that girth class G2 (111cm-150 cm) showed more yield compared to G1 (70-110). It was statistically found significant difference in gum-oleoresin yield due to different concentration of ethephon treatments. T4 (3.9%) ethephon treatment gave more yield (817.99gm) compared to other treatments, where T1 (control) gave very less yield (226.16gm). The exudation of gum-oleoresin was found to be more in post monsoon (55.06gm) followed by monsoon (43.78gm) and least during summer (27.01gm). Interaction between different ethephon treatment and season was found to be non-significant. 116 The physical and chemical properties of gum-oleoresin were studied and it indicated the gum-oleoresin was found to be strongly acidic, highly soluble in xylene and least in chloroform and in case of water, it absorbs water and swell. Moisture content was 5.17%, pH observed was 5.5, Colour of the gum-oleoresin observed was pale yellow to dark reddish brown and Viscosity observed was 2340 cps and 695 cps. Heavy metals like K ˃ Mg ˃ (Ca) ˃ (Ir) were detected. Chemical compounds were identified by using GC-MS. Total 18 compounds were identified from Acetone extract of gum-oleoresin in GC-MS, the major constituents of the chemical compound were beta.-caryophyllen followed by Tetradecane and 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-(2-methylcyclopropyl)-1-cyclohexene and 1- octadecene constitute least contribution, where as in methanol extracts, 16 compounds were identified, most abundant compound was Caryophyllene followed by 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid and bicyclo, the least abundant constituent was found to be 3-hexadecene. The correlation studies of bark thickness on production of gum-oleoresin were found to be significant with correlation coefficient 0.42. The climatic parameters like rainfall, relative humidity, temperature was found to be non-significant on production of gum-oleoresin.
Open Access
Wood property profile of rosewood (dalbergia latifolia roxb.) ceylon rosewood (albizia odoratissima (Linn.F) Benth.) and raintree(Samanea saman (jacq.) Merr.)
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding,College of forestry, Vellanikkara, 2005) Vinay Kumar, Sahu; KAU; Gopakumar, S
In the state of Kerala, heartwoods of lesser known timber species viz., Albizia odoratissima (Ceylon rosewood) and Samanea saman (rain tree) are allegedly being used as “substitutes” and “adulterants” for making furniture of Dalbergia. latifolia (Indian rosewood) mainly due to their similar wood colour. As this spurious practice has serious implication in timber trade, a study was undertaken to profile the selected wood properties of all these three species to highlight their similarities and differences. The study involved analyzing selected physical, mechanical, anatomical and biochemical properties of A. odoratissima and S. saman and comparing it with the wood properties of D. latifolia as available from relevant literatures. Variations of higher magnitude were noted between the three species for some wood properties, and with respect to few other properties, the differences were lesser. Significant variations were also observed between tissue types viz., sapwood and heartwood for some wood properties. Heartwood tissue types of S. saman and D. latifolia displayed high calorific value, where as, for A. odoratissima both tissue types (sapwood and heartwood) exhibited medium calorific value. The physical properties of the heartwood of A. odoratissima were observed to be higher than that of D. latifolia. S. saman possessed lower values for the physical properties as compared to D. latifolia. Basic specific gravity, radial and volumetric shrinkages (green to oven dry) were considerably different for all the three species. Generally, for both Ceylon rosewood and rain tree tangential shrinkage was higher than radial shrinkage for both the tissue types. Mechanical properties of A. odoratissima were superior to D. latifolia and S. saman, except modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to grain. On the other hand mechanical properties of S. saman were closer to D. latifolia. Measure of fibre stress at limit of proportionality and modulus of elasticity in static bending and modulus of elasticity in compression parallel to grain are considerably different for the three species. In A. odoratissima and S. saman, the mechanical properties of sapwoods varied non significantly with the strength properties of heartwoods. S. saman exhibited superior strength properties for heartwood over its sapwood. Vessel diameter, distribution of parenchyma and ray height can be used to differentiate the three species. In all the species, along the radial axis from pith towards periphery, the vessel diameter, ray height, ray width increased along the region of heart wood. Likewise, ray frequency, and vessel frequency decreased along radial axis in heartwood region. Average vessel diameter, ray height and ray width of sapwoods were greater than that of the heartwoods. Lignin, cellulose and holocellulose percent of A. odoratissima and S. saman were significantly greater than D. latifolia. Higher lignin, cellulose and holocellulose content are responsible for the higher strength properties of A. odoratissima. Methanol-acetone extracts of heartwood of D. latifolia exhibits specific peak wavelengths under spectrometric analysis, which are not found in the other two species. Phenolic compounds were observed to influence some of the physical properties.
Open Access
Morphological and anatomical properties of teak seedlings as influenced by nursery techniques
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2004) Girija Pushpom, R P; KAU; Anoop, E V
An experiment was carried out at College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara with the objective to evaluate the best nutrient levels and sowing treatments required for the production of good quality stumps based on anatomical properties of the seedlings with particular reference to wood formation due to cambial activity. The different nutrient and sowing methods were randomly allocated following completely randomized design. From the experiment, it was found that the best nutrient and sowing method combinations were N2S3 (cowdung 0.4 kg/rrr' and neem cake 0.2 kg/rn ' with spacing of 12 cm x 12 cm between seeds). In terms of biometric characters and biomass characteristics of seedlings it was also found that in quick growing seedlings, vessel diameter was large and vessel frequency was less. Collar girth was positively related with ring width and negative related with vessel frequency. Comparing the performance of nursery raised seedlings with root trainer raised seedlings it was found that the growth characteristics as well as the anatomical properties were inferior for root trainer raised seedlings. In the present study it was found that the best quality teak stumps could be produced by intensive cultural practices. Intensive management of nursery seedlings could produce VlgOurOUS seedlings and thereby it could produce good quality stumps in less time. Results of the present study showed that traditional system of production of teak stumps were efficient By imposing superior nutrient and sowing methods good quality, vigorous stumps can be produced to meet the immediate plantation requirements within a short period.
Open Access
Diversity of small mammals in the Parambikulam wildlife sanctury
(Department of Wild Life Sciences, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2003) Lekshmi, R; KAU; Ambika Varma, B
A detailed study was conducted in the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary during 1999-200 I to prepare an inventory and to estimate the abundance of small mammal fauna in diverse ecological habitats of the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. In this study, a total of twenty seven species of small mammals belonging to eight orders were recorded from the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary. Among the eight orders Rodentia was represented maximum with eleven species followed by Carnivora with ten species, remaining orders represented only by a single species. While comparing the rodents trapped from different habitats, natural forest account for more number of species than plantation and vayal. The most common rodent species in the three habitats was Rattus rattus, whereas Golunda ellioti (Indian bush rat) was found only in the moist deciduous natural forest because of the favourable ecological conditions prevailing there. Maximum diversity was more in the natural forest than in plantation and vayal whereas species richness was more in vayal followed by plantation and natural forest. The relative dominance was also high in natural forest than plantation and vayal. Correlation between floral diversity and rodent species indicates that natural forest with more number of plant species possessed high rodent species richness. The ideal conditions prevailing in the natural forest would have helped the survival of rodent species. The lack of ideal conditions in the plantation and vayal would have been the reason for lesser number of rodent species.
Open Access
Stand density manipulation and fertilization studies on teak
(College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 1991) Gawande, S R; Mohankumar, B
With the object of standardizing the density manipulation and fertilization strategies for teak, a study was carried out at Vellanikkara during 1990-91. The experimental variables consisted of high, medium and low site quality classes (classified on basis of tree heights), three thinning intensities (control, 30 per cent density reduction and 50 per cent density reduction) and three fertilizer levels (control, 50:25:25 kg of N, P2 O5 and K2O ha -1 yr-1, 100: 50:50 kg of N, P2 O5 and K2O ha-1 yr-1). The results indicate that mean height of trees was strongly influenced by density manipulation. The combination of high site quality with medium and heavy fertilizer doses also significantly increased the mean height of trees. However quadratic mean diameter, stand basal area, basal area increment and height increment were not substantially different among the thinning site quality and fertilization regimes. Tree biomass, foliage area and leaf weight allometry were examined for the first time in teak. The results suggest that leaf area and the biomass yield are strongly dependent on the allometry of trees. High sites consistently recorded higher values for estimates of leaf area, leaf biomass and tree biomass. Combinations of high site quality with medium and heavy thinning as well as medium and heavy fertilization recorded high tree biomass yield, foliage area and leaf area followed by medium and low site quality classes. Foliar analyses showed a general increase in leaf nitrogen during summer (May) and a gradual decline of the same during the fall season (August). High site quality with medium and heavy fertilization recorded highest nitrogen content. Thinning on higher sites significantly increased foliage phosphorus and potassium levels. In general the trend concerning nutrient contents of different tree organs followed the order leaves> stemwood> branchwood. Branch wood and stem wood N levels were relatively higher on high sites. Potassium content was, however, greatest in the low sites. Soil nutrient analysis did not indicate any substantial changes in the soil physico-chemical properties consequent to thinning and fertilization which incidentally substantiates Miller’s hypothesis on forest fertilization that fertilizers benefits only the trees and not the sites.
Open Access
Provenance evaluation of acacia mangium wild for growth and wood traits
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2015) Ringyao, Jajo; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A V
A provenance evaluation of A. mangium was conducted in 14 year old plantation at Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu, to understand the variation in growth and wood traits among the provenances. Ten provenances and one local seed source was used for the trial. The provenances had high survival percentage (77.44%), but did not differ significantly between provenances. Significant differences between provenances were found in tree height, while they were on par for DBH, volume, tree form and branching habit. The provenances of Kuranda, Arufi Village, Upper Aramia, Oriomo, Balimo and Binaturi were taller than the rest. Heritability of growth attributes was highest for height (63%). Morphometric traits of seeds were found to be significantly different between the provenances. Arufi Village provenance was found to be better than the other provenances for the traits. Seed weight and seed width were found to be strongly correlated with seedling height. Variation in germination energy, germination value and germination period were also significantly different between provenances. Lake Murray provenances showed the best performance in most of the parameters studied for germination. No significant differences between provenances were observed for germination capacity. Germination parameters are under moderate to high genetic control. Significant differences were noticed among the progenies of the provenances in height, while they did not differ in terms of collar girth and RGR. The provenances differed significantly in physical properties of wood, but not in mechanical properties. The provenances differed significantly for heartwood only at the base, while basic density was significantly different at all the height levels. Density was significantly and positively correlated with fiber length and slenderness, but negatively with fiber diameter and fiber wall thickness. The variations in fiber morphology between the provenances were also found to be significant. However, runkel ratio, flexibility and rigidity coefficient did not differ significantly between the provenances. Wood properties of the provenances were under strong genetic control. Based on the study, Tully-Mission Beach, Arufi Village, Kuranda, Upper Aramia, Lake Murray and Binaturi provenances can be recommended for growing under Kerala condition.
Open Access
Genetic diversity and population structure of two disjunct natural populations of syzygium travancoricum gamble.
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 2016) Mohammed Anees, P V; KAU; Santhoshkumar, A V
A study was conducted to observe the reproductive biology of the critically endangered species, Syzygium travancoricum Gamble, and to compare the variation between two geographically disjunct populations of the species situated at Kalasamala and Kattilappara. A series of investigations on the phenology, floral biology, morphology, flowering, and fruit set were carried out to study the reproductive biology. The two populations were compared to assess the variation in terms of population structure, morphology, wood anatomy and seed bank. The study revealed that, flowering occurred in S. travancoricum after a dry period and the fruiting occurred just before the onset of rain. The inflorescence of the species was axillary cymose with white, calyptrate flowers. Mass flowering was observed in S. travancoricum, but, when compared to other syzygium species, number of flowers produced per tree was less. The number of flowers setting to fruits was also poor. The natural regeneration from the seeds in the site too was poor. The seeds that germinated below the trees died in the seedling stage itself. The pollen viability studies revealed that the percentage of pollen germination was poor in S. travancoricum. The analysis of the seed germination assay indicated that seed germination was also poor in the species. The germinated seeds in lab too died at the seedling stage itself. The observations related to the population comparison revealed that, there were a lot of variations between the two populations in most of the characters. The biometric characters like tree height, GBH, and crown area showed significant differences between the two populations. In the case of leaf morphological characters such as leaf length and breadth, there were significant variation between the populations. The species associated with S. travancoricum was different in Kalasamala and Kattilappara. The relative density of the species was different in the two populations. The two populations showed significant variations in the case of wood anatomical characters. The seed banks too differed significantly between the two sites. The study concluded that the constraints such as, lesser flower production, poor fruit set, lower seed germination, poor seed viability could be the main causes of the rarity of S. travancoricum. The study further showed that the two populations have considerable differences between them, either environmental or genetic.
Open Access
Social behaviour, dominance hierarchy and reproductive behaviour of sambar deer (cervus unicolor)
(College of Forestry,Vellanikkara, 1991) Krishnakumar, Kumar; R, KAU; Jacob Cheeran, V
A study was undertaken to investigate the social behaviour, dominance hierarchy and reproductive behaviour of sambar deer in captivity, mainly with the intention of evaluating the adaptability of the species to captive breeding. This study was conducted on the population of sambar deer in captivity at Trichur and Trivandrum zoos. Behavioural observations were made during a period spanning five months totally – from November – December 1988 to April – May 1989, on days at random. There were 21 deer in the herd at Trichur and 20 at Trivandrum. It was observed that the living conditions of the deer in these zoos are far from comparison to that of their natural habitats. Food, herd size, competition, nearest neighbour relationship etc: are strikingly different from nature. But, in spite of all adversities, the sambar deer have learned to adapt amazingly to changing conditions, and survive fairly well. The physiological processes of their lives, such as antler casting, rut, mating, gestation and delivery remain as scheduled, except for observations that births occur at any time of the year in captivity sometimes, which is in effect to the advantage of the captive -breeder ! Maintenance of ideal herd composition at any given time would help better the living conditions as well as curtail traumatic injuries and casualties. Paucity of adequate space is a serious constraint faced by these zoos. It is time that voluntary organisations and individuals came forward with earnest interest in the upkeep of zoos as in foreign countries ; rather than leaving the whole show in the sole hands of the government as the present practice. General awareness and overall change in the attitude of the public towards our vanishing wildlife is the need of the hour.
Open Access
Evaluation of seed source variation and clonal propagation techniqes in Jatropha curcas linn.
(Department of Tree Physiology and Forestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2007) Anisha Kalkoor, M; KAU; Vijayakumar, N K
A study was conducted in College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Trichur, during the period 2005-2007 to evaluate different seed sources Jatropha curcas, a potential source of producing biodiesel for their genetic variation and to standardize efficient clonal propagation techniques. The study involved the evaluation of seed sources for their seed and seedling parameters as well as field performance of the plants. Attempts were made to standardize of macro and micro propagation techniques for the multiplication of elite genotypes. The material used for the evaluation consisted of different seed sources from various parts of Kerala and Karnataka. Although the variation among the seed sources for most of the seedling characters in the nursery was found non significant, a considerable variation was observed among them in their field performance. Considerable variation was also noticed for the seed parameters such as length, width, 100 seed weight, germination percentage, kernel: seed weight ratio and seed oil content. None of the seed sources excelled for all the characters studied. Among the different seed sources three seed sources viz., Kasargod, KAU and Palakkad seed sources were found to be superior in terms of most of the characters studied. Standardization of rooting of cuttings was attempted with 10 and 20 cm cuttings taken from semi-hardwood and softwood parts of the stem. Three levels each of IAA, IBA and NAA were used for evaluating their efficiency for rooting as well as shoot formation in the stem cuttings. Effect of these hormones on the shoot parameter was found less significant. However, highest sprouting was recorded in IAA 100 ppm where as IAA 250 ppm recorded highest number of shoots. Almost all the root characters were found to be greatly influenced by growth hormones. The semi-hardwood cuttings were found superior to the soft wood cuttings while, the 20 cm cuttings were found better than 10 cm cuttings with respect to most of the characters studied. Clonal propagation of Jatropha curcas was attempted by micro propagation through tissue culture using nodal segments as explants. Among the three basal media tried viz., MS, WPM and B5 medium, MS was found to be better in terms of bud, leaf and shoot initiation. The culture establishment was greatly influenced by the season of culturing. All explants cultured during the rainy season were got contaminated. A fungicidal dip in 0.2 per cent Bavistin (Carbendazim) and Indofil M- 45 (Mancozeb) for 1 hour followed by 15 minute dip in 0.1 per cent HgCl2 was the most effective surface sterilization procedure. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l-1 kin was found to be the best medium for shoot production. Highest average number of leaves (3.47), maximum number of leaves (8.67) and maximum shoot length was observed in this medium. The synergistic effect of BA and kin in MS medium was found to be better than supplementing them individually especially for the enhanced release of axillary buds. The treatment MS+0.5 mg l-1BA+1.0 mg l-1 kin was found to be the best treatment combination to get highest shoot initiation.

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