2008-'09 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual Report 2008-09
Field planting started at Vadanappally and Ganeshamangalam Beach from 12 July
2008. Planting was inaugurated by Hon'ble Minister for Agriculture Sri. Mullakkara
Retnakaran. About 6 km area at Vadanappilly and Kadappuram Panchayath areas
was planted. During August to November a length of 3.8 km at Vadanappilly and
2.3 km at Kadappuram Panchayaths was planted. The survival of plants was
enumerated in March- April 2009, approximately 6 months after planting.
Plantation Forestry
Planting stock production of selected commercial species of bamboos
The project envisaged production of about one lakh planting stock of selected
bamboo species at the KFRI Field Research Centre, Velupadam. The planting stock
was meant for supply to planting programmes under National Bamboo Mission
projects as per the directions of Kerala Bamboo Mission.
Nurseries were established in an area adjacent to the Bambusetum in the Field
Research Centre at Veluppadam and at KFRI main campus, Peechi. Seedlings of
Bambusa bambos, B. tulda, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, D. strictus, Melocanna
Views of the nursery beds established for raising bamboo seedlings
bambusoides and Ochlandra travancorica were raised in beds and potted in
polythene bags. Vegetative propagation of Bambusa vulgaris, B. vulgaris var. striata, B.
polymorpha, B. wamin, Dendrocalamus brandisii, D. giganteus, D. longispathus, D. stocksii,
D. sikkimensis and Gigantochloa atroviolacea was done using growth regulator treatments.
Observation of sprouting and rooting of different species was being carried out. Tissue
culture plants of Bambusa balcooa and Dendrocalamus asper were maintained at Peechi and
Veluppadam nurseries. Potted seedlings were distributed to farmers free of cost.
Recording of weather data at different centers of KFRI
Four automated weather stations have been established by KFRI viz., at Peechi,
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Kerala Forest Research Institute