2006-07 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

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Annual report 2006-07Kerala Forest Research Institutedensity levels. The slope class map, contourmap, etc. are also generated from the availableterrain information. The structure of the forestvegetation and the distribution of differentforest types are described in detail.Branch cutting tool....................................................................................................................................................................................Optimization of harvesting and postharvesttechnology to economize bambooresource utilization. KFRI Research Report No.285 (Bhat, K.V. and Varma, R.V., 2006).This study was conducted to examine thepossibility of improving the harvesting andpost-harvest technology of two commonbamboo species, viz., Bambusa bambos andDendrocalamus strictus. As an outcome of thestudy, a simple branch-cutting tool wasdeveloped for removing the thorny branchesprior to culm extraction. A traditional methodto judge the culm age/maturity for harvesting,based on culm tissue colour was examined andwas found to be reliable supple-mentary featurefor culm age determination.It was found that the susceptibility of bambooculms to Dinoderus beetles was dependent onstarch content of culms. The beetles and theirlarvae were found to prefer the inner, starchrichportion of the culm wall for moreproductive feeding. The extent of starch contentseemed to depend on locality and favourablegrowth conditions. Within a year, starch contentwas found to be low from September toNovember. The natural borer population andthe intensity of infestation were also low duringthis period. An interesting observation notedduring the study was the slow depletion ofstarch from culms during post-harvest storagedue to the activity of amylase enzyme.Among the traditional methods followed inrural areas for post-harvest protection ofbamboo, submersion of harvested culms inDifference in tissue colour between young (L) and mature (r) culmswater for one to three months was foundeffective in preventing borer damage. Submersioncaused degradation of storage starch inculm tissues due to the action of saprophyticmicroorganisms, a fungus of the genusAcremonium and bacterial species belonging tothe genera Pseudomonas and Klebsiella. Otherphysical treatments such as heat curing/boilingin water were not effective. Similarly, harvestingtrials conducted for one complete lunar monthdid not indicate any influence of the waningor waxing phases of the moon on the extentof borer damage. Among the traditionalbiological treatments, a preservative formu-16
Kerala Forest Research InstituteAnnual report 2006-07lation of nine biological ingredients used bylocal carpenters for protection of wood wasfound to be effective against bamboo borers.Similarly application of neem oil was alsoequally effective. Brush application of thesepreservatives/repellants on the cut ends andbranch scars of bamboo culms gave protectionfrom beetles.Based on the results obtained, an integrated pestmanagement strategy to protect bamboos fromDinoderus beetle damage is suggested. Thisinvolves cutting the bamboo at low starchperiod, adopting traditional methods like watersoaking, application of preservatives and followingimproved meth-ods of stacking.Development of butterfly farming enterprisesvis-à-vis conservation and sustainableutilization of biodiversity. KFRIResearch Report No. 286 (Mathew, G., 2006)...................................................................................................................................................................................The prime objective of this project was settingup of a butterfly house to facilitate educationof the public on the significance of natureconser-vation. As a matter of fact, a butterflygarden was established in the KFRI Sub CentreCampus at Nilambur. About 50 species ofbutterflies were sighted annually, some of whichViews of butterfly gardendeveloped local populations. Eight speciesrecorded in this study are protected under theIndian Wildlife (Protection) Act and six speciesare Western Ghat endemics. The most spectacularresult was the multi species aggregationof danaine butterflies (Danaus genutia, D.chrysippus, Tirumala limniace, T. septentrionis andEuploea core) on Crotalaria retusa during June toNovember with 30-40 butterflies roosting perplant. Exhibits depicting butterfly life stageswere set up in the garden for providing informationon the life of butter-flies. The researchreport also contains infor-mation pertaining tothe general requirements for setting up abutterfly farm along with a brief discussionon the problems and prospects of this enterprise.Tracing the origin and spread of teakdefoliator outbreaks through a molecularapproach. KFRI Research Report No. 287(Sudheendrakumar, V.V., Varma, R.V. andSajeev, T.V., 2006).The present study was undertaken in about8,500 ha of teak plantations at Nilambur, Keraladuring 2001-2002. The area was divided into19 blocks and 189 Observation Units. The17
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2006-07 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

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