Indian Forestry has a background of more than hundred years and the forest genetics in India is in its early forties. In 1930 Champion advocated the necessity of the initiation of studies on forest genetics and emphasized on the differences in growth due to seed origin . He established a provenance trial in Pinus roxburghii during 1930 at New Forest, Dehra Dun. Silviculture conferences since 1949 far sighted the need for tree improvement activities and continuously emphasized the importance and need for widespread application of genetics and initiating research in this field. In 1956 an expert committee on the Forest Research Institute, recommended the formation of Forest Genetics Section and consequently in 1959-60 Forest Genetics Section was established in Botany Branch under the Directorate of Biological Research at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun.
 

Expert Opinions
 

       Simultaneously, Matthews an expert from F.A.O. under Expanded Technical Assistance Programme visited this country and in 1961 in his published report out-lined the programme of work and the technology giving guidelines to the newly established Forest Genetics Section. 
The 2nd Expert Committee report on Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun published in 1965 stated that Forest Genetics Section should work in the closest collaboration with the Silviculture Branch. In pursuance of this recommendation, this section was raised to the status of a branch in 1969, and in early 1971 this branch was transferred to the Directorate of Forestry Research of this Institute. 
 

Detailed research activities:
 

         During the Vth and VIth plan period Forest Genetics and tree improvement got another boost when following new projects were initiated:

 (i) Indo-Danish Project on Seed Procurement and Tree Improvement.
(ii) Creation of Radio-Isotope Laboratory facilities.
(iii) P.L.480 Projects: a) Techniques for inducing mutations and polypliody in some hardwood and conifer species of importance in forestry (Project No. A7-F5-35) and, b)" studies on Induced polyploidy and mutagenesis in some hardwood tree species (Project No. A7-F5-73)

    Under Indo-Danish Project, tree improvement work was carried out on Tectona grandis, Bombax ceiba, Gmelina arborea, Pinus roxburghii, P. wallichiana, Cedrus deodara, Dalbergia sissoo, D. latifolia, Albizia lebbek, etc.

     Two P.L.480 projects entitled: Techniques for inducing mutations and polyplody in some hardwood and conifer species of importance in forestry (Project No. A7-F5-35) and the other on " studies on Induced polyploidy and mutagenesis in some hardwood tree species (Project No. A7-F5-73) were successfully completed in 1970 and 1981 respectively. 
The results indicated that mutation breeding and polyploidy breeding could be useful adjuncts to conventional breeding methods in the species studied and on related species.

       Under induced mutagenesis the work was done on angiospermous and gymnospermous tree species. Among the angiosperms the studies were confined to Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus alba, E. grandis, E. citriodora, E. torelliana, Eucalyptus hybrid FRI-4 (E. tereticornis x E. camaldulensis), FRI-5 (E. camaldulensis x E. tereticornis), hybrid E. torelliana x E. citriodora, Populus deltoides, P. jacometti, P. ciliata, Leucaena leucocephala, Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica, Bombax ceiba, Shorea robusta, S. tellura, Tectona grandis, Bambusa tulda, Dendrocalamus strictus, Albizia lebbek, A. procera while the two gymnospermous species dealt were Pinus roxburghii and P. patula.

       Under induced polyploidy the work was carried out on Eucalyptus camaldulensis, E. torelliana, hybrid E. tereticornis x E. grandis, Dalbergia sissoo, D.latifolia, Morus alba and Santalum album.

       Consequent to formation of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and thereafter reorganization of Forest Research Institute lead to the creation of Division of Genetics and Tree Propagation, during 1988 by merging the Forest Genetics Branch, Radio-isotope laboratory and the Indo-Danish Project on Seed Procurement and Tree Improvement. The Research work was divided into six projects for the improvement of some selected species.

       During 1994 two World Bank funded projects (FREEP) namely Planting Stock Improvement and Tree Improvement were started taking commercially important species viz. Dalbergia sissoo, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Pinus roxburghii and Populus deltoides in close collaboration with the states of U.P., Punjab and Haryana. 
  

THRUST AREA
  

      The priority research area is to increase productivity through: 

a) High quality seed production.
b) Multiplication of site matched stock .
c) Species/variety Improvement using traditional breeding methods .
d) Biological rejuvenation.

    To achieve the above objectives the strategy being adopted for genetic improvement is :

  1)    Establishment of initial base population (this includes species and provenance testing and
         development of breeding and gene conservation populations).
  2)    Population improvement (includes recurrent cycles of selection and recombination).
  3)    Development and multiplication of strains e.g. families and clones (this includes capturing 
         of breeding gains) 
 
         The species which have been dealt with, under various Institutes under ICFRE are- Pine, Poplar, Eucalyptus, Neem, Teak, Shisham, Casuarina species, Albizia species, Sandal, Gmelina, Semul, Bhimal, Acacia's, Pongamia, Bamboos, Prosopis, etc. 
 

HIGHLIGHT OF ACHIEVEMENT
     The achievements made during the last fifty years species wise are highlighted below :-
 

TEAK(Tectona grandis):
 

1. Work on the selection of Teak plus trees was started in the year 1960 and to date about 700 plus trees are available for establishing clonal seed orchards. 

2. The first experimental seed orchard, was established at New Forest, Dehra Dun using 20 clones with 20 ramets replicated two times, and this orchard has provided very useful information on initiation of first flowering, variation in flowering of different clones, seed production and their germination.

3. To meet the interim need of seeds for planting about 10,000 hectare seed production areas have been created in different states by treating good stands. 

4. To meet the future demand of quality teak seeds nearly 900.00 hectare of seed orchard has been created in different states of the country. 

5. Identified 3 genotypes for superior growth, frost resistance, and wavy grain timber characteristics. Established one bi-clonal, clonal seed orchard to produce hybrid seed combining two traits.

6. Interspecific hybridization work has been carried out between T. hamiltoniana and T. grandis but no seed could be obtained due to abortive embryo Radio-sensitivity of Tectona grandis to Gamma rays was also studied and L.D50 estimated for germination, survival, hypocotyl and radical length. Chromosomal aberrations were found to occur at a dose of 35 kr. Some of the teak plus trees of Tamil Nadu have been used as experimental material for gel electrophoresis studies to identify esterase bands.

7. In a Teak seed germination test from eight superior trees, it was observed that the germination varied from tree to tree, albino and chlorophyll deficient alongwith higher mortality of seedlings affected the total number of plantable seedlings. In another study on teak, chlorophyll deficient of various types, albino, yellow seedlings alongwith varying morphological abnormalities were observed. Reduced fitness in threshold characters indicated inbreeding.

8. In a study of 80 batches of teak trees, selection differential and predicted genetic gain values were estimated. This involved individual character variation analysis, estimation of heritability and computation of predicted gain values. Predicted gain values were estimated for individual batches alongwith overall estimates. Some individual batch values (Predicted gain) were found to be higher and upper 5% values of overall batches were substantially high than the overall mean estimates of the predicted gain values.

9. In a study on clones of Tectona grandis, developmental instability in leaves were studied at the top, middle and lower portions of the crown strata. 

EUCALYPTUS:
 

         Seven species of Eucalyptus in particular, Eucalyptus tereticornis, E. grandis, E. camaldulensis, E. citriodora, E. torelliana and E. globulus tried in the Nilgiri's hill in South India and 40 plus trees and 10.0 hec. of seed production area has been selected. In Kerala 6.84 hec. and Tamil Nadu 29.5 hec.of seed production areas have been selected for E.grandis.

         Plus tree selection and establishment of progeny trial has been taken up in E. grandis and E. tereticornis. In E. tereticornis about 42 plus trees and 50.6 hec. of seed production area has been selected. Natural variability in respect of some provenances of E. camaldulensis Dehn has been studied under Dehra Dun conditions.

         A number of spontaneously occurring interspecific hybrids have been identified and studied in India. These include E. camaldulensis x E. tereticornis; E. citriodora x E. torelliana and E. grandis x E. tereticornis. These hybrids manifest good hybrid vigor for growth and volume production. The experimentally synthesized hybrids have been evaluated. F1 hybrids from some of the cross combinations displayed good hybrid vigor. Some of these hybrids have been multiplied through tissue culture and planted in the field. Protocols for mass in-vitro clonal multiplication of mature promising F1, hybrids E. torelliana x E.citriodora, FRI 4 (E. tereticornis x E.camaldulensis) and FRI-5 (E. camaldulensis x E. tereticornis) have been developed.
  

PINES:
 

          In the provenance trial of Pinus roxburghii at Dehra Dun considerable variation in oleoresin yield was found among the trees in the different provenances, in some provenances there were high-yielders of 8 to 9 kg. A number of plus trees specifically for the trait of high oleoresin yield and growth were selected in the State of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. National Provenance trials of this species has been established at a number of locations and data so far collected and analysed from 4 locations has revealed the superiority of two provenances in all the four locations. Precocious flowering for 7 provenances at the age of 5.5 years was also recorded. 
        Using a half-sib progeny trial, studied genetic variation in morphological growth and wood characters and obtained heritability estimates for different traits, phenotypic and genotypic correlations among various wood characters were also studied. Studies have been conducted on chiasma frequency in P. roxburghii and P. elliotti. The studies from two trees of P. roxburghii have shown bivalent with 2 chiasmata 56.92%, with 3 chiasmata 27.58% with 4 chiasmata 9.33% and more than 4 chiasmata 6.16%. The pattern in P. elliotti was very similar.

Introduced tropical pines
 

         Pinus patula has been successfully introduced in West Bengal, Kodaikanal and at Ootacamund in Tamil Nadu. It is a promising species and so far 56 plus trees and 8.9 hectare of seed production area has been selected in Tamil Nadu
        Pinus caribaea has been successfully introduced in a few States. The three varieties P. caribaea var. caribaea, P. caribaea var. hondurensis and P.caribaea var. bahamensis are included in the various trials. A number of provenances of these varieties are also under trial in different states.
Field grafting trial with P. caribaea has been carried out in India and best period suited for field grafting has been ascertained. Technique of air layering has also been standardized in both Pinus patula and Pinus caribea. This should facilitate taking up work on the establishment of clonal seed orchard for this species.
 

SEMUL (Bombax ceiba)
  

       The objective of tree improvement work in this species is to evolve varieties which will be fast growing with good stem form, narrow crown and without buttresses. In nature, in some areas, the trees are prone to heavy attack by shoot borer (Tonica niviverana Walk.) and incorporating resistance to this pest also forms one of the breeding Since each fruit contains 200-300 seeds and the percentage of germination of seed is very high, it has been estimated that half a hectare of seed orchard can yield enough seeds to plant upto 500 hectares.
        Studies have been conducted on the reproductive biology and breeding behaviour of this species. 
 

SANDAL (SANTALUM ALBUM)
 

          Sandal is a highly variable polymorphic species, six types namely, ovate, lanceolate, elliptic, linear, big and small leaves have been identified 
To maintain the variability in this species both in situ and ex situ conservation work has been carried out. 
          Clonal propagation by top cleft grafting method carried out in Sandal Research Centre, Bangalore, gave 80% success and three clonal seed orchards were established

          Clonal multiplication through surface root bits was developed at Forest Research Institute. Polyploidy has been induced with colchicine treatment and tetraploid have been produced. 
 

RED SANDERS(Pterocarpus santalinus)
 

         Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.f.) is a very slow growing species confined to a small region in South India In recent years, a wavy grained wood variant in this species has crept into prominence for its high valued export market. 
        The variation of this trait from pith to periphery in a tree and between trees has been studied from wood core samples taken from trees at breast height. This revealed significant variation in the magnitude of wavyness from pith to periphery in individuals. This information is now being used to select the most desirable trees for use in a seed orchard programme. It is anticipated that this orchard will produce seeds which would in turn yield plants that have a high probability of showing wavy grained wood. Variation in fibre morphology and the growth of grafts from different clones have been studied.
 

POPLAR (Populus spp.)
  

        Poplars, particularly clones of Populus deltoides have a good future as a plantation crop in certain regions of India. Control hybridization between selected female and male clones is in progress to produce site specific clones.
 

ACACIA NILOTICA (L.) Del. ssp. indica (Benth.) Brenan
  

       Provenance trial conducted with two varieties viz. cupressiformis and Vediana showed that the provenance Banaskantha (Gujarat) was having better height, diameter, number of nodes and branch length than other provenances followed by Akola (Maharashtra), Dharwar (Karnataka) and Kutch (Gujarat) provenances. 
       A comparative study of different provenances for their free-poline content in leaves of Acacia nilotica showed wide variations.
  

NEEM (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)
 

       At Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun under Indo-Danish Project neem was taken up as one of the species for improvement With the collaboration of state forest departments and survey of 8 states viz. Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, seeds were collected from 20 sources. These seeds were subjected to laboratory studies prior to sowing in the nursery. On the basis of the data large amount of variation was observed in seed weight, which varied from 105.00 gm (Akola-Maharashtra) to 347.20 gm (Rairakhol-Orissa) per thousand seed and leaf length varied from 2.3 cm (Keonjhar-Orissa) to 7/2 cm. (Nagpur-Maharashtra). 
Clonal multiplication trials were conducted to evolve suitable technique and to standardise them. The side grafting gave success and the stem cuttings under mist gave 40% success.
Tissue culture techniques for the explant sterilization, explant establishment, proliferation, multiplication and in-vitro rooting of microshoots have been standardized. Hardening of plantlets and tranplantation to field resulted very little success (20%). Efforts are underway to improve the hardening and acclimatization process, to make the protocol cost effective.
 

SHISHAM (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.)
 

       Provenance trial of D. sissoo has been conducted with ten provenances. Provenance variation in seed and seedlings traits was studied from ten seed sources scattered almost entire natural range in India. Significant genetic variation among seed sources with regard to rate of germination, shoot length and seedling dry weight was observed.
  

ALBIZIA sps.
 

         Since the species is used in wide variety of programmes viz. afforestation. reclamation road side plantation etc. It was decided to induce more variation which can suit to different sites. Keeping this in view, mutation breeding programme was initiated and a phenovariants for growth characters were screened in M1 population of A. procera. Tissue culture work was taken up for A. lebbek & A. procera and protocols for in vitro clonal multiplication have been developed. Some variations have been observed in this species with respect to pod length and seed count in Albizia lebbek. Guidelines for conducting provenance trials have been formulated.
  

GMELINA ARBOREA
 

          To screen out variability existing in this species provenance trials have been laid out in collaboration with DANIDA/FAO tree seed Centre. Some plus trees have also been selected in this species in Southern part of India. Vegetative propagation techniques have been standardized for the establishment of germplasm banks and seed orchards. 
 

LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA
 

          Leucaena leucocephala is an unexploited and versatile leguminous crop of tropics and subtropics. The species is of multiple use, produces seed gum also. The foliage of this species serve a good nutritious palatable cattle feed but it has a toxic alkaloid known as mimosene, which may cause hair-fall, goitre and other side effects. At Forest Research Institute Dehradun small scale field trial of nine varieties of Hawaii giant. viz. (1) K-8(645), (2) K-8(101), Brewbaker, (3) K-4, (4) K-72, (5) 647, (6)646, (7) CV Cunninghamii, (8) CV Peru, (9)CV Salvador were conducted in 1978. These varieties were evaluated for their growth performance, flowering, pod size, seed and gum yield etc. Among the varieties tried, K8(645), followed by K8(101) were found best under Dehradun condition for the traits studied.
  

BAMBOOS
 

        Bamboos have a pivotal role in the economy of Asian countries due to its multifarious uses and providing raw material for paper industries. Seed production in bamboos is unpredictable, furthermore, the seed looses its viability within a very short time of storage. Hence, their propagation through tissue culture was initiated and a successful propagation technique by taking juvenile explant has been developed for Dendrocalamus strictus, which is an important bamboo species. More species have been taken up for tissue culture studies.

        In an another study under induced mutagenesis early flowring in Dendrocalamus strictus was induced by irradiating the seeds with gamma rays. The plants flowered at the age of six months when they were still in pots. This species normally take 30-60 years to flower under natural conditions.
 
        The projects under investigation are:

(1) In vitro rejuvenation of Eucalyptus hybrid, Chirpine, Shisham, Bamboo and Neem.
(2) Genetic Improvement of Pinus roxburghii including Provenance research.
(3) Planting stock improvement programe ( World Bank FREE project ).
(4) Tree improvement ( World Bank FREE project ).
(5) Consultancy for optimization of Seedling Production through clonal technology in Punjab ( PFD project ).
(6) Genetic Improvement and Nursery Planting Stock of Khair, Shisham and Kikar ( PFD Project )
 

World Bank Funded Project
 

The research work carried out and achievements made under two World Bank Projects viz. Tree Improvement and Planting stock Improvement Programme are highlighted below component wise.
 component wise.

1. Tree Improvement

(i) Study of floral biology and breeding system to develop hybrids specific to site in order to  maximise productivity.
 
      Studied the floral biology of Eucalyptus tereticornis and Dalbergia sissoo. In Dalbergia sissoo controlled selfing and controlled crossing was done to see whether the species is self or cross-pollinated. Pod setting was observed in both the cases which shows that sissoo is both self as well as cross pollinated. In Eucalyptus control crosses were attempted using E. tereticornis (Mysore gum) as female parent and E. camaldulensis (Southern form) as pollen parent. Thirteen mature capsules were harvested, seed extracted and sown under aseptic conditions and cultures of F1 hybrids have been raised.

     In Populus deltoids intra and inter specific crosses (using P. ciliata as pollen parent) were attempted. Mature capsules were harvested and seed sent to seed testing laboratory of this Institute for raising F1 plants.


(ii) Develop technique for rejuvenation of mature plant tissue to maximise multiplication rate

In Dalbergia sissoo work is in progress or multiplication of juvenile shoots from root suckers/rooted branch cuttings to study the juvenility. In Eucalyptus collected coppice and mature shoot cuttings from selected CPT's for studying rooting behaviour. Rooted cutting prepared from grafted material in addition to this, juvenile cuttings prepared from CPT's progenies showed very high percentage of success. Juvenility is also being studied through tissue culture techniques. 15446 cuttings of Eucalyptus tetericornis were planted under mist condition for rooting using vegetative material taken from hedge garden. Approximately 13% success achieved.

Standardized technique of rooting of juvenile shoots after hedging of 8-year-old plants of P. roxburghii. and mature trees through grafting and hedging.

(iii) Develop in vivo and in vitro propagation technique for mass multiplication of selected genotypes.

Marked 140 CPT's in Eucalyptus and 307 in D. sissoo for vegetative propagation. Experiments were conducted on response to hormones on rooting to increase the multiplication rate.

Under in vitro propagation achieved success in establishment of cultures of 8 clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis, 2 clones of Populus deltoides and 3 clones of Dalbergia sissoo.

Technique for rooting of cuttings and vegetative propagation of plants of superior clones of D. sissoo has been standardized.
 

2. Planting Stock Improvement Programme

1. Seed Stands : Selected 23.79 ha. seed stand in Eucalyptus tereticornis. The marking and culling operations have been completed. In Pinus roxburghii 110 ha. has been finally selected. Marking of trees is going on and for culling permission is being obtained from MOEF. In Dalbergia sissoo 50 ha. identified, marked, culling is being persued.

2. Clonal Seed Orchard : 13 ha. of CSO in Eucalyptus tereticornis has been established. Target of 2 ha. has been exceeded. 6 ha. of CSO of Dalbergia sissoo has been established 2 ha at Lalkuan (U.P.), 2 ha at Bithmera (Haryana), 2 ha. at Mattiwara, (Punjab). Targets have been completed.

3. Seedling Seed Production Area : In Pinus roxburghii cones from promising provenances were collected and seedlings have been raised to establish SSPA In D. sissoo and Eucalyptus, 4 ha. of SSPA, 2 ha. each at Bithmera (Haryana) and Chandigarh have been established for both the species.

4. Vegetative Multiplication garden : In Eucalyptus and Dalbergia sissoo established 0.7 ha. and 0.25 ha. hedge gardens respectively. Studies on pruning and fertilizer application initiated work on establishment of Central Nursery started under the guidance of consultant which is under progress. In pine hedging of potted plants was done. Shoots produced were rooted under mist condition to standardize the technique.
   
   
   In D. sissoo approx. 50 clones have been rooted. Effect of position, size and time for taking cuttings on rooting is being evaluated and the experiments will be repeated next year.
   
   Under the project PSI, Seed Production Areas (SPA's). Clonal Seed Orchards, (CSO's) and Seedling Seed Production Areas (SSPA's) were established/demarcated in collaboration with SFD's of U.P.,Punjab and Haryana, Achievenents are summarized in the table given below:

     Table: SPA, CSO and SSPA established in Eucalyptus tereticornis (ET),
 Dalbergia sissoo (DS) and Pinus roxburghii (PR).
 

 
      Multiplication garden of Eucalyptus tereticornis comprising of 60 clones and of D. sissoo, 55 clones have been established.

     The Division has actively participated in holding Kisan Melas/ delivering lectures to farmers/forester to bring awareness among farmers and foresters of importance of using quality seed/planting material.

     The Scientists of this division interacted with farmers, foreign Scientists and other dignitaries on the work being conducted in the division and the latest techniques in vogue in their institutes to get first hand knowledge for upgrading the divisional activities.

     The Scientists of this division took active part in delivering lectures, demonstration and in conducting practical to the students admitted for different courses under Deemed University. The results of research findings were published in reputed Indian and Foreign journals by the Scientists.
 

FUTURE PLANS
 

1. Planting stock improvement.

2. Establishment of gene bank/germ plasm bank.

3. Reproductive biology.

4. Rejuvination of mature plant tissue through micro and macro propagation techniques.

5. Mass multiplication through tissue culture and macro propagation of specific superior genotypes.

6. Genetic engineering techniques.

7. PCR based DNA marker research.

RESEARCH FACILITIES AVAILABLE

• A full fledged tissue culture laboratory.

• Controlled environmental chamber (SELECTRON).

• PHAST system for protein and isoenzyme analysis.

• Research microscopes with micro photographic attachments.

• Glass house.

• Net house.

• Tree climbing equipments.

• Centrifuges.

• Autoclaves.

• Laminar flow.

• Gama chamber.

• Digital micro balance.

• Computers with printers and scanner.

• Photocopying machine

     The list of scientists working in this division along with their field of expertise/ experience and email address is given below:-

1. Dr. H.S.Ginwal, Head
   Field of expertise/experience
   Tree Improvement and Molecular Biology/ 11 years experience
   E-mail address- ginwalhs@icfre.org

2. Dr. I D Arya, Scientist 'D'
   Field of expertise/experience
   Biotechnology and Tissue Culture/ 20 years experience
   E-mail address- aryaid@icfre.org
   

3. Dr. Sarita Arya, Scientist 'D'
   Field of expertise/experience
   Plant Tissue Culture/ 17 years experience
   E-mail address- aryas@icfre.org
   

4. Sh. S.K.Sharma, Research Officer
   Field of expertise/experience
   Tissue Culture And tree Improvement/ 18 years experience
   E-mail address- sharmask@icfre.org