Forestry Research Project in Thrust Areas/Theme Wise S. No. Thrust Area (Theme ) Project Title Objective Institute 1. Forest 2. Forest Evaluation and selection of efficient strains of AM fungi & Rhizobium for Acacia nilotica and Ailanthus excelsa in western Rajasthan. (2010-2013) Selection, evaluation and identification of efficient bio-inoculants for quality seedling production of selected fast growing native tree species (April, 2009-2012) 1. To identify AM fungi associated with Acacia nilotica and Ailanthus excelsa plantations at various sites of western Rajasthan 2. To study the population of AM fungi in nursery and natural plantations 3. To prepare & multiply indigenous AM fungi & Rhizobium inoculum 4. To select most efficient AM fungi & Rhizobium strains for Acacia nilotica and Ailanthus excelsa planting stock material & to standardize the doze of inoculum 5. To lay out field trials, to demonstrate the impact of biofertilizers (AMF + Rhizobium strain) on A. nilotica and Ailanthus excelsa Training on VAM technology to disseminate the knowledge to end users 1. Isolation and identification of beneficial microflora (AM fungi, Azospirillum and Phosphate Solubilizing Microbes) from the samples of selected fast growing native trees. 2. Evaluation of the efficacy of different bio-inoculants viz., AM fungi, Azospirillum, Phosphobacterium on quality seedling production of selected economically important native tree species viz., Ailanthus excelsa, Ailanthus malabaricum, Anthocephalus cadamba, Dalbergia latifolia, Gmelina arborea and Melia dubia in nursery. 3. To identify the synergistic AFRI
3. Forest 4. Forest 5. Forest 6. Forest Status and influence of microbial inoculants associated with Eucalyptus clones in established breeding populations (April, 2008-2011) Biotransformation of some secondary metabolites by sporulate surface cultures of Frankia strains for nodulation capacity in C. equisetifolia and CC. junghuhniana (April, 2010-2013) Influence of beneficial microbes in conferring salt tolerance to Casuarina clones (April, 2010-2013) Utilization of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizal diversity for the quality stock production of some useful forest combination of bio-inoculants for improving the growth of the seedlings in the nursery. 1. To find out and isolate the specific strains of AM fungi and PGPRs from the rhizosphere soils of selected Eucalyptus clones in breeding populations. 2. To study the effect of AM fungi and PGPRs inoculations in rooted cuttings of Eucalyptus clones 3. To find out the suitable combination of microbial inoculants for and nutrient uptake in Eucalypts clones 1. Biotransformation of active constituents by sporulated surface cultures, submerged liquid cultures & with spore suspensions. 2. Analysis of the sample with chromatography methods. 3. Identified unique bioactive constituent to be tested for nodulation capacity in C. equisetifolia and C. junghuhniana. 1. Isolation of adapted beneficial microbes (AM and ECM fungi, Frankia and PGPRs) from saline soils. 2. Selection of the most effective isolates of beneficial microbes in conferring salt tolerance under in vitro. 3. Determination of effect of salinity on the growth, beneficial microbial interaction and mineral nutrition of selected Casuarina equisetifolia clones in nursery and establishment of field trial. Long term:- Screening of diversity, inoculum production and mass multiplication of dominant and efficient strain/s of endomycorrhizal
plant/s species of Nongkhyllem Reserve Forest, Nongpoh, Meghalaya, India 7. Forest 8. Forest (April, 2009-2012) Diversity of mycorrhizal associations with Dipterocarpus and Shorea species in Assam (April, 2009-2012) fungi and quality stock production of some useful forest plant/s species through VAM inoculation Short term:- Survey and collection of rhizospheric soil samples of Nongkhyllem Reserve Forest, Nongpoh, Meghalaya, India To analyze the diversity of VAM fungi associated with them and to prepare an inventory To isolate the dominant and efficient VAM strain/s and produce mass inoculum on different hosts and substrates Cultivation and multiplication of some useful forest plant/s species by raising the plantlets by inoculation of endomycorrhizal dominant strain/s in root trainers in laboratory conditions Transfer of plantlets in the field conditions for primary establishment through VAM inoculation Long term: To study the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in natural habitat and its efficacy in nursery and field, and to preserve the pure cultures for research and extension Short term: Standardization of Inoculation Technique Long term: i. To study the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi associated with Dipterocarpus and Shorea species ii. To isolate and identify the mycobiont. iii. To raise the mass culture of mycorrhizal fungi iv. To study the efficacy of mycorrhizal with selected species in nursery and field
for Agarwood formation in Aquilaria malaccensis Lamk. 5 years (April, 2009-2014) Establishment of economic and environmentally sustainable agar wood production Short term: To study the climatic and edaphic factors in relation to agarwood formation 9. Forest 10. Forest Studies on species diversity of Ganoderma in Assam with reference to utilization and cultivation of its selected species 2 years (April, 2010-2012) Studies on the dynamics of litter decomposition in sal forests of central India and its impact on nutrient status of soil 4 years (July, 2009-2013) To standardize the artificial inoculation techniques for agarwood formation To explore the adaptability of inoculation technique in multilocational trials Long term: i) To study the species diversity of Ganoderma in Assam and to utilize and develop cultivation protocol of its selected species Short term: To study the species diversity of Ganoderma occurring in major agroecological zones of Assam To study on utilization of Ganoderma by different tribal population of Assam To explore the market potential of Ganoderma in Assam To develop cultivation protocol of selected Ganoderma species suitable for Assam condition Long term To study microbial litter decomposition on forest floor and its relation to nutrient status of forest soil. Short term 1. To study and document the diversity, succession of fungi and micro-fauna from different stages of decomposition. 2. To evaluate the status of carbon flux using a process-based model at different stages of decomposing litter. TFRI
11. Forest 12. Forest 13. Forest Counterbalancing the detrimental effect of Sponge Iron Factoryemitted Particulate Matters (SIFPM) with the protective effect of Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrrhiza (VAM) on the growth of seedlings of important tree species. 2 years (March, 2010-2012) Development of certification criteria and production of microbial inoculants for application in forest nurseries and plantations. 4 years (March, 2010-2014) Exploration of diversity in Ganoderma incidum and its conservation with special emphasis on its medicinal uses. (April, 2008-2011) 3. To develop suitable microbial consortium to fasten litter decomposition. 4. To disseminate the technique to the user groups. Long term objectives: To assess if VAM can used as an effective eco-friendly ameliorating agent against the detrimental effect of particular matters (SIFPM) on vegetation. Short term objectives: To determine the neturalizing effect of VAM against the inhibitory effect of PM on growth of seedlings of important tree species. Long term objectives: Application of biofertilizers to enhance forest productivity. Short term objectives: To develop products (inocula) and criteria for certification of microbial inoculants for application in important tree species. To tests the role of bio-fertilizers on lesser researched tree species, like mahua, beeja-sal, bel, tinsa, etc. Field application of bio-fertilizers in problematic soil. Analysis of morphological and anatomical variation in the fruiting bodies collected from different eco-climatic zones. Cultural characterization of various fruiting bodies and variation in different isolates. Analysis of genetic diversity within and between species of Gonoderma lucidum of different climatic/host/ environmental origin through molecular markers. Chemical investigation for important constituents playing role in medicinal properties. TFRI TFRI FRI
Protocol for cultivation for in situ conservation. Standardization of technology for processing and utilization with special reference to rural areas. 14. Forest Interaction between Psedophylum flurescens and AM fungus on Dendroclamus strictus Long term objectives: Development of a microbial consortium of P. fluorescens AM for bamboo afforestation in wastelands. Short term objectives: Evaluation of population of P. fluorescens from soil of D. strictus present at different places in Uttarakhand. Quantitative assessment of phosphate solubilising and antagonistic (against pathogen) capacity of P. fluorescens and its impact on the growth of D. strictus. Study of the diversity of P. fluorescens and its molecular characterization. Interaction studies between P. fluorescens and AM fungus on D. strictus. FRI