The division was formed in 2011. As a nodal center of NPFGR for Southern India, ICFRE-IFGTB has conducted two workshops for assessment of threat status of FGRs and prepared the Action Plans for conservation of species assessed. Prioritized FGR species and conducted field surveys to document FGR diversity & their population status with GPS referencing. ICFRE-IFGTB-75, ICFRE-TFRI-65, ICFRE-IWST-30, ICFRE-IFB-30. (Total = 200 species)

 

Selection of Teak populations for Conservation

    A total of 252 teak populations and plantations were surveyed in different parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and studied the morphological characteristics. Recorded growth and GPS data.

    Identified 62 populations and plantations which showed distinct and desirable characteristics for in situ conservation.

 

Ex situ conservation of Teak

    A total 41 superior teak trees were selected, multiplied clonally and conserved in the clone bank as ex situ conservation stand. Established clonal trial of Teak at Salem.

 

Selection and Conservation of Pongamia pinnata

    91 superior trees of Pongamia have been selected based on high fruit yield in different parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry.

    The selected trees were multiplied clonally and established clonal trial, clone bank and germplasm bank as ex situ conservation.

    Analysed oil content of 91 selected Pongamia clones, and identified 19 clones which showed high fruit yield and high oil content for clonal plantation programme.

 

High yielding clones of Callophyllum inophyllum

    Tree improvement of Calophyllum inophyllum or Punnai (Tamil) or Punnakka (Malayalam) or Sara Honne (Kannada) is being implemented for the past 15 years, Six high fruit yielding clones of Calophyllum inophyllum having more than 50% oil content (Punnai or Calophyllum oil or Tamanu oil) namely, IFGTB-CIM-1, IFGTB-CIM-2, IFGTB-CIM-3, IFGTB-CIM-4, IFGTB-CIM-5 and IFGTB-CIM-6, have been released as clonal varieties. Calophyllum or Tamanu or punnai oil is highly medicinal and used to treat skin diseases and valued at a price of about Rs.4000 per kg. The high yielding clones are available at the institute for planting purpose.

 

Selection of germplasm of Neolamarckia cadamba

    Selected 100 candidate plus trees of Neolamarckia cadamba from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andaman and Assam. Three progeny trials have been established at Gudalur, Neyveli and Panampally.

    Best performing individuals were selected from the progeny trials, multiplied vegetatively and raised a multilocation clonal trial at Gudalur in 2017, Neyveli Research Station and VVK-KVK-ICAR, MYRADA, Arepalayam, Erode District. Short listed the best performing high productive stable clones viz., 144, 139,105, etc., and clones will be released for commercial cultivation.

 

Selection of Pterocarpus santalinus Candidate Plus Clumps

    Selected 277 Candidate Plus Clumps of red sanders from Forest department and private plantations in Tamil Nadu through point grade method. Seeds were collected from 249 CPTs and progenies were raised with identity. 92 CPT’s were clonally propagated by grafting method. Field gene bank.

    Selected 1513 red sander genetic resources from 152 beats spread over 23 ranges in Chittoor, Tirupathi, Annamayya and Kadapa Forest Divisions through exploratory surveys. Seeds from 109 genetic resources are being raised with identity for raising field gene bank.

 

Selection of Candidate Plus Clumps of Bamboo species.

    Under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Bamboos (AICRP-2), survey was carried out in the Cauvery Delta Region spread over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry where Bambusa bambos occurs commonly and 86 Candidate plus Clumps (CPCs) were selected using comparison method involving various morphometric parameters. The passport data along with geo coordinates were prepared for the selected CPCs. Out of 86 CPCs selected, 27 were from Thanjavur (TJ1-TJ27), 25 from Tiruvarur (TV1-TV25), 23 from Nagapattinam (NP 1 -NP23) and 11 from Karaikal (KL 1 to KL 11) districts. Vegetative propagules for rooting as well as rhizomes of selected CPC’s were collected for ex-situ conservation at ICFRE-IFGTB, Coimbatore. 55 bamboo CPCs have been included in the Bamboo Field Gene Bank at Tiruvannamalai.

    Around 64 CPCs or clonal representatives belonging to 6 bamboo species (Bambusa vulgaris, B. tulda, B. nutans, B. balcooa, Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus ) being propagated by other bamboo research Institutes were assembled. Of these 14 accessions are being maintained in the rhizome beds for multiplication.

    Apart from the six-commercial species, 104 accessions belonging to 58 species were also assembled and maintained with identity at the bamboo nursery in the Forest Campus, ICFRE-IFGTB, Coimbatore. The field gene bank of bamboo was established at the Field Gene Bank at Tiruvannamalai.

 

Field Gene bank

    Field Gene Bank of FGR spp viz., Aegle marmelos, Ailanthus triphysa, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Sapindus emarginatus, Strychnos nux-vomica, Sweitenia mahagoni, Chloroxylon swietenia, Hardwickia binata, Ceiba pentandra, Neolamarckia cadamba at Tiruvanamalai and Gudalur Research station at Maraimalai Nagar, Chennai.

 

Distribution maps of Forest Genetic Resources

    Documented the tree details and developed distribution maps of 75 forestry species found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and Andamans. An Eco distribution map for 30 species has also been developed based on ecological modeling using MaxEnt and is available for use by State Forest Departments and researchers

 

Documentation of Genetic Resources

    The genetic resources of Teak and E.camaldulensis established in the form of CSO, SSO, SPA, Clone bank, Germplasm bank etc by State forest departments and Research Institutes in Tamil Nadu and Kerala were evaluated and documented. Identified 37 potential orchards and SPAs for effective utilization.

 

Molecular characterization of germplasm

    The genetic variation of selected 91 Pongamia clones has been studied using molecular markers. The genetic diversity of seed production areas of Teak in Kerala is studied through molecular markers.

First Generation Eucalyptus Clonal trial and release of clone

    As a PI and member under Eucalyptus Tree improvement, Twelve clonal trials of Eucalyptus have been established at Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,Pondy and Karnataka. From these trials 2 outperforming high productive clones namely IFGTB- EC 9 and IFGTB- EC 17 have been released during 2014.

 

Seed germination and seedling quality

    Improved seed germination and seedling quality through pelletization and developed 'ready to use' pelleted seeds of important tree species such as Aeglemarmelos, Gmelina arborea, Acacia nilotica, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia amara, Acacia leucophloea and Sapindus emarginatus. Developed a multiple seed pellet and supplied to farmers

    Standardized seed pelleting of Sandal, identified Pithecellobium as a suitable host and successfully laid regeneration trials (2.5 ha) of sandal seed pellets at Ellukuli, Anchetty, Hogenakkal, Urigam & Sitheri Hills.

 

Training Organized on Forest Genetic Resource Management

    One week Training course on Forest Genetic Resources Management funded by MoEF & CC has been conducted to IFS officers every year since 2011. So far 11 trainings have been conducted, and IFS officers from different states attended the Training.

 

Training to other stake holders on FGR Management & Tree Improvement

    To implement the FGRMN programme for different stakeholders by ICFRE Institutes, three days Training on Forest Genetic Resource Management and Tree Improvement was conducted to PG Teachers (Botany) of Govt. Schools from different parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Puduchery.

    To implement the FGRMN programme in different states by ICFRE Institutes, one week Training on Forest Genetics Resources Management and Conservation was conducted to Scientists and Research Staffs of ICFRE Institutes.