2006-07 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual report 2006-07Kerala Forest Research Instituteexperiments with the new generation brightLEDs need to be carried out.....................................................................................................................................................................................Improvement of teak through geneticevaluationInvestigator(s): Indira, E.P.Objectives• To maintain the progeny trial plot atNilambur• To establish another progeny trial plot(multi locational trial) to have an earlygenetic evaluationDate of Commencement: 2004 AprilDate of Completion : 2007 MarchBudget: Rs. 6.25 lakhsSponsoring Agency : KFRI Plan GrantsThe progeny trial plot raised at Nilambur wasmaintained. Growth measurements were made.Growth of field planted teak clones atKarulaiInvestigator(s): Surendran, T.Objectives• To study growth and field performanceof rooted ramets of plus trees of teakplanted at Kalkulam, Karulai.• Maintenance of the clonal garden atKalkulamDate of Commencement: 2004 AprilDate of Completion : 2007 MarchBudget: Rs. 3.00 lakhsSponsoring Agency : KFRI Plan GrantsPeriodic observations were made on growthof planted ramets and data recorded. Weedingand other input operations required werecarried out as and when necessary. The projectis being continued.Enriching of live collections of wildorchids and ferns of Kerala and preparationof an illustrated manualInvestigator(s): Muktesh Kumar, M.S.Objectives• To set up a Fern/orchid house at KFRIcampus to facilitate education of thepublic.• To maintain rare, endangered and endemicpteridophytes/orchids in live conditionby reintroduction of these plantsfrom their original locality.• Preparation of an illustrated manualOrchid houseDate of Commencement: 2004 AprilDate of Completion : 2007 MarchBudget: Rs. 6.67 lakhsSponsoring Agency : KFRI Plan GrantsFresh collections of ferns particularly epiphyticspecies were added to the fern house collections.Seventy species of useful pteridophytesof Kerala were selected and the details of allthe species were compiled for the preparationof the manual. Some of the Fern housecollections were transferred to the Nature StudyCentre, at Nilambur. Steps were initiated forthe repair work of Orchid/Fern House.42