Genetic Improvement of Forest Trees in Arunachal Pradesh

Tree improvement work was started in Arunachal Pradesh in 1978 and within eight years plus trees were selected, grafting technique perfected and germplasm banks and seed orchards established for Acrocarpus fraxinifolius, Ailanthus integrifolia, Altingia excelsa, Bombax ceiba, Canarium strictum, Chukrasia velutina, Duabanga grandiflora, Gmelina arborea, Michelia champaca, Phoebe goalparensis, Tectona grandis and Terminalia myriocarpa, Bombax ceiba, Gmelina arborea, Michelia champaca and Tectona grandis have started producing viable seed. The experience shown that genetic improvement of trees can be successfully carried out within a short period provided the team of workers is sincere, budwood is grafted timely, grafts are checked regularly, sprouts from stocks are removed, fertilizer and watering are given timely and the tree seed orchard is looked after like a horticultural orchard.