1.

Name of the Division

Silviculture & Tree Improvement

Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla, HP

2.

Head of Division

Sh. K.S. Thakur, IFS

3.

Objectives of the Division:

Division is entrusted to take up the research activities in the disciplines of (i) Silviculture with special emphasis on seed technology, natural regeneration related problems of high level conifers, nursery and planting techniques of conifers and their broad leaved associates, modern nursery techniques to raise quality seedlings etc. (ii) Tree Improvement with emphasis on Establishment of Seed Production Areas (SPAs), Seed Orchards, Provenance Delineation, Plus Tree Selection and Progeny Tests etc. The main Objectives of the Division are as follows:

• To study various factors affecting the regeneration of conifers and their broadleaved associates and its establishment.

• To identify natural sources of superior seeds/planting material having desirable traits for raising quality planting stock.

• To standardize methods of seed collection, handling storage and testing for important species of the region.

• To identify provenances of important species and undertake provenance/ progeny trials for improvement of the species to increase productivity.

• To improve and standardize nursery and out planting techniques of important tree and shrub species of the region.

• To undertake trails for possible introduction of fast growing species.

4.

Ongoing Research Projects

A)

Plan Projects:

Title of the Project-1:

Standardization of Nursery Techniques for Mass Propagation of Selected Medicinal Plant Species

Duration

2001 - 2007

Principal Investigator

Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Scientist D

Objectives

• Survey, identification of medicinal and aromatic plants from different areas of Himachal Pradesh.

• Collection of Germplasm.

• Standardization of nursery technology for mass propagation of important medicinal plants.

Progress Achieved up to March 2006:

Germplasm of 33 species of medicinal plants of temperate Himalayas at Field Research Station, Brundhar (Manali) and 30 species at Field Research Station, Shilly (Solan) and 10 species each at Field Research Station, Shillaru (Shimla) and Model Nursery (Shimla) has been raised and is being maintained.  Nursery techniques of Karu and Mushakbala improved.  For raising nursery stock on large scale basis through a simple macro-proliferation technique evolved for the production of nursery stock of these species in large numbers.  It has been successfully tested under National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) funded project on large-scale basis for the production of thousands of plants of these species. Trials are in progress for improving the nursery techniques of other economically important medicinal plant species e.g. Patish, Chora etc. Traditional knowledge on medicinal plants was recorded by interviewing the people of Solan and Shimla districts of Himachal Pradesh. Information on medicinal uses of several plant species was documented.

Title of the Project-2

Standardization of Nursery Techniques for Raising Containerized Seedlings of Conifers and their Broadleaved Associates.

Duration:

2001 - 2007

Principle Investigator

Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Scientist D

Objectives:

• To reduce the nursery period (gestation period) of high level conifers.

• To standardize the techniques for production of quality seedlings of conifers and their broadleaved associates.

• To develop a comprehensive package on nursery technology for studied species.

Progress Achieved up to March 2006 supported by good photographs:

Trails have been conducted to find out the optimum type / size of root trainers seedling production system in Cedrus deodara, Abies Pindrow, Picea smithiana and Alnus nitida.  It is observed that the growth performance of all these species was found to be the best when raised in the single cell bullet-type root trainers of size 500 cc.  Field performance of root-trainer raised seedlings of Deodar, Spruce and Fir is in progress.

Vegetative propagation trials of potential cold deserts species viz. Elaeagnus umbellata, Colutea nepalensis and Rosa webbiana conducted. It is observed that the shoot cuttings of E. umbellata treated with IBA 1000 ppm in talc having 0.05% Captan and 0.1% sucrose produced significantly greater adventitious roots i.e. 96.30% as compared to 55.56% in untreated cuttings. Shoot cuttings of C. nepalensis treated with IBA 2000ppm in talc having 0.05% Captan and 0.1% sucrose produced significantly greater adventitious roots i.e. 96.67% as compared to 53.33% in untreated cuttings. 

In Rosa webbiana the root cuttings with dia-class 8-10 mm and length 15cm recorded 95% success after one year of planting and produced 4.78 shoots/ cutting under semi-controlled conditions.

Title of the Project-3:

Planting Stock Improvement Programme in Cedrus deodara

Duration:                               

2003 - 2008

Principal Investigator:

K.S. Thakur, IFS, DCF

Objectives:

• Survey and selection of best stands of Deodar and their conversion into Seed Production Areas (SPAs)

• Selection of plus trees to carry out provenance-progeny trials to study the genetic variation in the species

Progress Achieved up to March 2006:

Survey of Deodar forests to select good stands based on phenotypic observations was carried out at Cheyog, Chopal, Manali, Chamba, Churah and Dalhousie forests.  Potential areas (Seed Stands) measuring 100 ha. were identified at Cheyog, Nagar, Nankhari, Khani, Kalhani and Chopal forests.  In selection of plus trees for growth traits, a total of 64 Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) were selected in the areas surveyed.

 Survey of Deodar forests to select good stands based on phenotypic observations was carried out at Cheyog, Chopal, Manali, Chamba, Churah and Dalhousie forests.  Potential areas (Seed Stands) measuring 100 ha. were identified at Cheyog, Nagar, Nankhari, Khani, Kalhani and Chopal forests.  In selection of plus trees for growth traits, a total of 64 Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) were selected in the areas surveyed.

  Seed Stands of Deodar

             Number and Belting of Trees           Recording Diameter of Trees in Seed Stands

Sample plot studies of the identified stands were carried out for final selection of 50 ha. Seed Stands in the state of Himachal Pradesh.  Complete enumeration of 25 ha. Seed Stands in Cheong Forest of Theog Forest Division and 15 ha. oin Nankhari Forests of Rampur Forest Division was completed. The remaining 10 ha. of Seed Stand would be enumerated in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with State Forest Research Institute, Jammu and marking list of Seed Stands selected in Himachal Pradesh have been prepared and would be submitted to the concerned authorities for seeking culling permission. 

Title of the Project-4:

Allozyme Variation in Natural Populations of Deodar (Cedrus deodara).

Duration:       

2005 - 2008

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Scientist-D

Objectives:

• To assess the genetic variation at isozyme level present within and between Deodar populations growing under different geographical areas.

• To correlate genetic parameter (heterozygosity) with geographical factors.

• To demarcate the Deodar populations (provenances) based on isozyme analysis for             further tree improvement programmes.

Progress Achieved up to March 2006 supported by good photographs:

Deodar populations 15 (11 from Himachal Pradesh and 4 from Jammu & Kashmir) have been selected based on the geographical distribution, aspect and site quality.  Cones from these populations have also been collected as per the Action Plan, however, various field visits to these forest areas have shown that the year is a very poor seed year.

Efforts were made during this period to standardize the setting of starch for electrophoresis and various concentrations (11-16%) on Tris-Citrate were tried.  The gel concentration was standardized at 15 % with Biomil starch. Extraction buffer and staining solutions for IDH, SKDH, MNR and GDH were standardized and systems were assayed for three populations of Deodar. Electrophoresis for other populations is in progress.

Title of the Project-5:

Standardization of Methodology for Seed Collection, Seed Handling, Storage and Breaking Seed Dormancy in Juniperus polycarpos C. Koch and Fraxinus xanthoxyloides (Wall. Ex G. Don) DC.

Duration:

2006-2011

Principal Investigator:

Sh. P. S. Negi, Research Officer

• To study the effect of time of harvest on seed quality and germination characteristics.

• To find out different pretreatments required for breaking seed dormancy.

• To determine seed storage conditions with reference to moisture content, storage environment and storage containers for better germination and seed storability.

Progress Achieved up to March 2006 supported by good photographs:

Recently initiated from April 2006.

Externally Aided Projects:

Production of Quality Planting Material of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth. & Valeriana jatamansi Jones and Extension of their Cultivation Technology to Local Communities.

(Funded by National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi to the tune of Rs. 10.0 Lacs)

Duration:

2004-2007

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Scientist-D

Objectives:

• To establish a demonstration nursery of medicinal plants at Brundhar, Manali (Kullu, H.P.).

• To produce quality planting material of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth. and Valeriana jatamansi Jones.

• Extension of agro-technology and popularizing the cultivation of Picrorhiza kurooa and Valeriana jatamansi among farmers of temperate region.

Progress Achieved up to March 2006:

Established demonstration nursery of medicinal plants at Brundhar, Jagatsukh, Manali (H.P.). Shade House and Poly-house each of size 10x4 mtr respectively designed, fabricated and commissioned through H.P. Agro Industries Ltd. (a Govt. Undertaking) at the nursery. Vermi-composting activities have been initiated and irrigation facilities strengthened. The activities started since April 2004 towards production of quality planting material of Picrorhiza kurrooa and Valeriana jatamansi at three nurseries of the Institute viz., Brundhar medicinal plants nursery (Manali), Shilly medicinal plants nursery (Solan) and Shillaru nursery (Shimla). The overall target for the production of 4 lacs Quality Planting Material (QPM) of Kutki (Picrorhiza kurrooa) and Mushkbala (Valeriana jatamansi) has been given by NMPB under this project during 2004 to 2007. Up to March 2006, the Institute has raised 3.3 lacs of quality planting material of Kutki and Mushkbala under this project in different nurseries of the institute. 

     Quality Planting Material of [A] Valeriana jatamansi [B] Picrorhiza kurooa  in nursery beds

Production of quality planting material in Poly House

Production of quality planting material in Shade House

Under extension activities of the project, Institute has organized three number two days training and demonstration programmes at Jagatsukh, Manali on 19-20^th October 2004, at Shillaru and Model Nursery Baragaon, Shimla on 4-5^th March 2005 and at Jhungi, Mandi on 12-13^th March 2006 on commercial cultivation of Kutki and Mushkbala for the farmers of Kullu, Shimla and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh respectively. Around 50,000 no. plants of these species for initiating commercial cultivation in Himachal Pradesh have been distributed among various end users. Two no. open meeting have been organized on 10^th March 2006 at villages Sajla and Karjan near Manali for the farmers of Kullu valley to discuss about the prospects of commercial cultivation of medicinal plants in temperate region to diversify existing horticulture practices. Two booklets in Hindi for the benefit of local communities on these two species have been published.

Title of the Project-2:

Suitability of Jatropha curcas L. Seed Sources in Lower and Mid Himalayan Regions of Himachal Pradesh

Duration:

2005-2008

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Scientist-D

Objectives:

• Identification/ screening and collection of superior quality planting material.

• Demonstration of quality plants material.

• To develop site specific nursery techniques for raising quality planting stock of Jatropha curcus for lower & mid Himalayan regions.

• To study the comparative performance of Jatropha curcas in grassland, degraded land, bunds of agriculture fields and open forests of lower & mid Himalayan regions of Himachal Pradesh.

Progress Achieved up to March 2006:

Produced 26,000 quality planting material of Jatropha curcas of various seed sources collected from Himachal, Uttaranchal, Central and South India in the first year of the project.

    Nursery Stock Production                                     Field Plantation

Plantations at seven different sites in Himachal Pradesh on 10.5 ha have been carried out to find out suitability of this species in lower and mid Himalayan regions of the state. 80 kg of seeds of Jatropha curcas from 26 seed sources from the state of Himachal Pradesh collected during Oct-Nov.2005 for research and demonstration purposes. Some of the seed sources have been identified for having oil content >35%. Production of quality stock of these seed sources are in progress. Published booklet in simple Hindi titled ‘Jatropha: Bhavishye Ka Biodiesel Podha’ for the benefit of end users.  

Title of the Project-3:

Development of Elite Planting Material, Establishment of Model Plantations & Extension of Nursery & Plantation Techniques of Wild Apricot to Local Communities in Himachal Pradesh.

Duration:

2004 - 2007

Principal Investigator:

K. S. Thakur, IFS

Objectives:

• To produce elite planting material of wild apricot by applying modern nursery techniques.

• To establish model plantations of wild apricot in temperate region of Himachal Pradesh for demonstration purposes.

• To make local communities and lower functionaries of Himachal Forest Department aware of the importance of Wild Apricot by reviving old traditions through training and demonstration

Quality planting material (11,000 no.) of Wild Apricot has been raised in the nurseries of the Institute under the project. Carried out demonstration plantations on 27.5 ha area in Shimla, Kinnaur, Solan and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh. Organized four no. training and demonstration programmes under this project for local communities and field functionaries of Himachal Forest Department. Published one booklet in Hindi titled ‘Chuli, Paudhshala and Vriksharopan Technique’ for the benefit of end users.

 Raising of Nursery Stock of Wild Apricot  

Title of the Project-4:

Setting up 100 hectare Demonstration Plot in Himachal Pradesh and Production of Elite Planting Material of Dendrocalamus hamiltonii. (A collaborative project with Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource & Technology, Palampur) funded by the Department of Biotehnology, Government of India, New Delhi. 

Duration:

2005-2008

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Rajesh Sharma, Scientist-D

Objectives:

• To set up demonstration plots for high quality bamboos in a minimum of 100 ha in H.P. (HFRI, Shimla & IHBT, Palampur).

• To generate a total of 50,000 (30,000 by tissue culture and 20,000 cutting raised) plantlets and make these available for the project (IHBT, Palampur).

• To collect growth data of the plants grown in different agro climatic conditions in H.P. as per the uniform criteria (HFRI, Shimla).

• To monitor growth at sites at regular intervals (HFRI/ IHBT).

Progress Achieved up to March 2006 supported by good photographs:

Site was selected at Dhadyarghat in Lugon Block of Parwanoo Range of Solan Forest Division

10 ha demonstration and experimental plot of the species was raised during March 2006 and 15 ha would be raised during July-August- 2006.

The planting material will be provided by IHBT, Palampur

5.  

Major Achievements during the last year 2005-06: 

Shri Surinder Kumar, IFS, Director; K.S. Thakur, IFS, DCF & Head, Division of Silviculture & Tree Improvement; Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Scientist-D and Shri Pitamber Singh Negi, Research Officer of this Institute has been awarded with the prestigious “BRANDIS PRIZE” for the year 2004 for best research paper titled, “Studies on Vegetative Propagation of Colutea nepalensis Sims. through Shoot Cuttings: A Potential Species for Cold Desert Afforestation”, in the field of Silviculture during the Centenary Day Celebration of Forest Research Institute on 5^th June 2006. 

Conducting training programmes for forest officials of H.P. Forest Department and Farmers of Himachal Pradesh on cultivation of various important medicinal plants from time to time.   

6.

Lab and other Facilities  (i.e. list of equipments and other services like analysis of

7. 

Publications (only titles):

i

Books (2000-06):

Nil

ii.

Booklets (2000-06):

• Sharma, S.; Negi, P.S. and Thakur, K.S. (2005). Karu Ki Kheti, A booklet in Hindi published under NMPB funded project as publicity material for local communities in user friendly language, 9p.

• Sharma, S.; Negi, P.S. and Thakur, K.S. (2005). Mushakbala Ki Kheti, A booklet in Hindi published under NMPB funded project as publicity material for local communities in user friendly language, 9p.

• Sharma, S.; Negi, P.S. and Thakur, K.S. (2005). Jatropha: Bhavishye Ka Biodiesel Podha, A booklet in Hindi published under DBT funded project as publicity material for local communities and field functionaries of state forest department in user friendly language, 12p.

• Thakur, K.S.; Negi, P.S. and Sharma, S. (2005). Chuli, Podhshala and Vriksharopan Technique, A booklet in Hindi published under NOVOD Board funded project as publicity material for local communities and field functionaries of state forest department in user friendly language, 11p.

iii.

Brochures (2000-06):

• Sharma, S.; Kumar, S. and Thakur, K.S. (2003). Model Nursery A Way for Production of Quality Planting Stock, HFRI Bro. No. 9, 18 p.

• Bakshi, Meena; Surinder Kumar & K.D. Sharma (2003). Youth Awareness on Important Environmental Issues.  HFRI Bro. No. 10

• Bakshi, Meena; Surinder Kumar; Rajesh Sharma & K.S. Thakur (2006).  Mass Vegetative Propagation of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.  HFRI Bro. No. 15.

iv.

• Amla- Aik Bahu Udashiye Podha   

• Tulsi- Aik Adbhut Auoshdhi           

• Vriksharopan taknik: Mahtvapuran Jankariyan

 v.

• Sharma, S.; Negi, P.S.; Thakur, K.S. and Kumar, S. (2004). Study on germination and longevity in seeds of Hippophae tibetana Schltr. Indian Forester, 130(6): 647-654.

• Sharma, S.; Negi, P.S.; Thakur, K.S. and Kumar, S. (2004). Studies on Vegetative Propagation of Colutea nepalensis Sims through Shoot Cuttings: A Potential Species for Cold Desert Afforestation.  Indian Forester, 130(12): 1422-1431.

• Sharma, S.; Kumar, S.; Thakur, K.S. and Negi, P.S. (2005).  Study on Effect of Pre-sowing Treatments on Germination of Ribes orientale, Desf. Seeds, Indian Forester, 131(5): 667-672.

• Sharma, S.; Kumar, S.; Thakur, K.S. and Negi, P.S. (2005).  Estimation of Variability in Branching, Production of Woody Cuttings and Rooting of Branch Cuttings in Selected Clones of Dalbergia sissoo, Roxb. In Agroforestry in 21^st century (Eds. S. K. Chauhan; S.S. Gill; S.C. Sharma and Rajni Chauhan, Agrotech¸ Publishing Academy, Udaipur; 194-199, pp.

• Sharma, S.; Kumar, S. and Thakur, K.S. (2005).  Effect of Hedging Height on Production of Shoots and Shoot Cuttings in Selected Clones of Dalbergia sissooRoxb. In Short Rotation Forestry for Industrial and Rural Development (Eds. K.S. Verma; D.K. Khurana and Lars Christersson); ISTS, Nauni, Solan, India: 127-130.

• Sharma, S. (2005).  Market Information on Medicinal Plants and Marketing Model for NWFP from Himachal Pradesh.  Paper presented in State Level Workshop on “Mainstreaming Medicinal Plants for Development of the Region – Himachal Pradesh: A Case Point”, at Mohal, Kullu on 12-13^th march, 2005.

• Sharma, S. (2005).  Prospects of Commercial Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in Himalayan Region.  In the Workshop on “Acts and Rules for Environment Conservation” organized by World Wide Fund for Nature – India at HFRI, Shimla on 25^th November 2005.

• Sharma, S.; Negi, P.S.; Thakur, K.S. and Kumar, S. (2006). Trial on Production of Deodar (Cedrus deodara, Roxb. Ex. D., Don, G. Don) Planting Stock in Root Trainers. Paper in “XII Silvicultural Conference”, February, 1-3, 2006, FRI, Dehra Dun.

• Sharma, S.; Negi, P.S. and Thakur, K.S.  (2006). Vegetative Propagation of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle Ex. Benth and Valeriana jatamansi Jones through Macro-proliferation Techniques for Large-scale Nursery Production.  Paper in National Workshop on “Conservation and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants”, February, 15-16^th, 2006 at Forest Complex, Pinjore, Haryana.

• Sharma, Rajesh; Surinder Kumar & K.S. Thakur (2006).  Genetic Improvement of Chir-Pine (Pinus roxburghii Sargent) in India – A Review, INDIAN FORESTER, Vol. 132(3): 314-328. 

• Surinder Kumar and Rajesh Sharma (2005).  Status and Future of Exotics in Western Himalayas” Paper presented at ‘National Symposium on Role of Exotics in Indian Forestry’ held at PAU Ludhiana from 15-18^th March 2005. 

• Sharma, Rajesh and R.R. Bhalaik (2005). Genetic analysis of cone and seed characters among seed sources of deodar (Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don) Indian Journal of Forestry, Vol. 28(1):17-21.