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The main areas of research of Botany Division are:
investigations on vegetative propagation, shortening of nursery period, water stress
behaviour vis-à-vis growth performance and nitrogen metabolism (fixation and
assimilation) as well as taxonomic, nomenclature and phytogeographical studies of plants
for their classification, correct identification and conservation, anatomical studies
forestry species for their identification and judicious utilization of some forestry
important species.
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The Division has following disciplines:
Plant Physiology
Wood
Anatomy
Systematic
Botany
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Research facilities available:
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Image Analyser, Research Microscopes, Microtomes, Authentic Wood
Collection, Microslide Collection, UV Spectrophotometer, Plant Efficiency Analyser, Water
Stress Monitor, Misting Units, Gas Chromatography, Electrophoresis System. |
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Services available:
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Wood identification and charcoal identification, training in field
identification of timber and Bamboo Anatomy.
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Plant Physiology
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Plant physiology Discipline has been engaged in clonal propagation,
nitrogen fixation, water stress, hormonal control of growth and development and mineral
nutritional and energy plantation studies during last five years.
The Discipline has
developed suitable methods for clonal propagation of large number of species viz.
Eucalyptus hybrid, Dalbergia sissoo, Tectona grandis, Casuarina equistifolia, Gmelina
arborea, Azadirachta indica and many medicinal plants.
A method for mass
production of bamboo seedlings has been standardized through macroproliferation.
A large number of
forest plant species have been screened for their nitrogen fixing ability for selecting
suitable species for agroforestry, social forestry and wasteland development programmes.
Effect of water stress
on growth and development have been investigated for various important forest tree
species. Apart from these, there are two international projects viz., World Bank (FREEP)
and USDA Pine Project.
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Future Plan:
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Seven
research projects have been identified for future work in Plant Physiology. |
Planting stock
improvement through clonal propagation.
(a) Clonal propagation of Dalbergia sissoo, (b) Clonal propagation of Tectona
grandis,
(c) Clonal propagation of Bamboos & (d) Clonal propagation of other economically imp.
species.
Physiological effects
of water stress on various clones and provenances of Dalbergia sissoo.
Conservation Of
Nitrogen Fixing Plants : A Reliable Approach for the Rehabilitation of Degraded Sites in
Himalayan Ecosystem.
Screening and
identification of fast growing full wood fodder species for higher biomass production of
Garhwal Himalayas.
Creation of germplasm
bank of commercially important tree species of Punjab.
Studies in Himalayan
Pines - USDA Project.
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Wood Anatomy
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The
Wood Anatomy Discipline is engaged in the study of anatomical structure of wood with
special emphasis on identification and assessment of wood quality. The Discipline renders
valuable service to trade, industries and various Govt. departments, CBI/Vigilance by
identifying wood specimens since last 65 years.
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Future Plan:
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Studies
on anatomical variation in plantation grown species vis-a-vis wood quality,
Creation
of database for computerised identification of Indian Timbers,
Enrichment of Xylarium,
Identification of Indian Bamboos on the basis of
culm epidermis,
Wood microstructure of Indian Bamboos.
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Systematic Botany
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Systematic Botany Discipline is composed of Herbarium, Carpological Museum and Botanical
Garden and Arboreta.
Systematic Botany is fundamental for
biodiversity, forestry and forest products research as the correct identity and correct
name of the species under investigation are essential which form the principal function of
the discipline. Herbarium has over three hundred thirty thousand (3.30 lakhs)
authentically identified specimens including 1300 type specimens maintained and preserved
under conventional methods by the application of chemicals and modern technique through
centrally air-conditioning system. This herbarium is accredited for the speedy progress of
biodiversity studies/research on flowering plants of India and adjoining countries. This
is regarded as one of the main Herbarium for the Forest Departments of the country and
caters to the need of various research workers and foresters all over India and abroad.
Carpological Museum as an adjunct to the Herbarium is represented by over 500 different
types of forestry fruits/seeds which are useful in identification of plants without
recourse to any other parts.
Botanical Garden was established in the year 1934. The
development of Arboreta representing various sections of forestry species such as
conifers, palms, bamboos etc. was started in 1925. During the past over seven decades
nearly 700 exotic and indigenous species of forestry, economic and ornamental values were
introduced. Botanical Garden and Arboreta are the prime source of information’s on
not only the conservation of significant species but also the Centre of education and
research.
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For further details please contact: |
Dr. Sas Biswas
Head, Botany Division
Forest Research Institute,
Dehradun (Uttaranchal) - 248 006 (India)
Phone: 0135 - 752673
Fax: 0135 - 756865
E-mail: biswassas@icfre.org
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