M. L. Kapoor , V. K. Sharma

Abstract

Induced mutants showing precocious flowering in Dendrocalamus strictus Nees. Through gamma irradiation of seeds have been reported. The mutants flowered at the age 15 months when they were still in pots, though normally this species takes 20 to 40 years to flower. Studies were done on their pollen grain size and fertility. The plant did not set seeds. The cause of premature flowering and its utilization in breeding programmes has been discussed.

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C. J. S. K. Emmanuel , M. L. Kapoor , V. K. Sharma

Abstract

The paper summarizes the research work carried out on forest genetics and tree improvement of important forest tree species by Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun and its sister organizations during the past three decades under different projects/schemes. The species taken up for genetic improvement were Tectona grandis, Bombux ceiba, Pinus spp, Dalbergia sissoo, Santalum album, Morus alba, Pterocarpus santalinus, Acacia nicotica, Acacia catechu, Eucalyptus and Albizia spp. Different methods of genetic improvement viz. selection, hybridization, induced polyploidy and induced mutageneis, were tried. This task also involved the selection of plus trees, creation of seed production areas, establishment of seed orchards, and laying of provenance trials etc. Apart from genetic improvement, work was also carried on vegetative propagation by budding, grafting, air layering including tissue culture and suitable techniques developed which have great potential for establishing clonal seed orchard, and conservation and multiplication of desired novel genotypes.The significant achievements made in these directions are detailed in this paper.

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M. L. Kapoor

Abstract

Plant tissue culture term is used for protoplast, cell, tissue and organ culture under aseptic conditions. Haberlandt (1902) put forth a hypothesis of "totipotency" of plant cells that single cell can give rise to a complete plant Since then there has been a anormous intenst in the possible uses and application of in-vitro techniques. The main aim of clonal prapagation is to establish plants that are uniform and of improved quality he demand for wood products fuel and tree fodder is expected to increase by many folds in the near future and so is true for the qualifY planting material. Thus, there is a need to evolve efficient new techniques for supplying improved planting material with the speed of increasing demands tissue culture is one such technique which shows promise and its use in forestry should be exploited, because one of its longest established uses is as an efficient, safe and often economical method of plant propagation Some of the main features and achievements of tissue culture are reported in this paper.

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M. L. Kapoor

Abstract

Biotechnology is a sophisticated and advanced technology encompassing many disciplines of biosciences. It has evolved multidimensional approaches to solve certain problems at a much faster rate than known to the mankind in the recent past. Biotechnology promises to unfold many events of amazement in the near future, but its use should be with a caution of ethical scense. Tissue culture is one of the biotechniques which has agreat potential for improvement and mass clonal multiplication of forest trees. Micropropagation and embryogenesis can play a significant role in producing identical trees on a mass scale through clonal propagation. Somatic hybridization and haploid production are another areas of interest in forestry. The scope and application of biotechnology in forestry has been highlighted in this paper.

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Renu Swarup , M. L. Kapoor

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Seeds of Eucalyptus hybrid FRI- 5 (E. camaldulensis x E. tereticornis) were treated with Ethylmethane sulphonote(EMS) (0.25,0.50,1.00%) at two mointure levels. Effect of EMS on the hybrid was assesed by measuring different parameter viz. Germination percentage, Germination value, Germination Energy index Radicle and hypocotyl length, cotyledon width and length; Green and dry weight, Chromosomal aberration at anaphase. Air dried seeds were observed to br highly sensitive in comparison to the pre-soaked seeds. In general reduction percentage increased with increasing doses .Stimulation was observed in a few parameters at lower concentration. Germination value and Radicle length were the most sensitive parameters. This study has revealed the possibility of advancing new technique and methods for inducing/ manipulating genetic changes in the tree.

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K. M. Renu Swarup , M. L. Kapoor

Abstract

Air dry and pre-soaked seeds of Eucalyptus (FRI-4) were treated with ditrerent concentrations of Ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS) for framing methods and technique for mutation breeding programme. The effect of EMS was assessed on the basis of different parameters viz. Germination, Germination value, Hypocotyl and Radicle length, Cotyledon length and width, Green and Dry weight and Chromosomal abnormalities at anaphase. Air-dry seeds were found to be more sensitive to EMS in comparison to pre-soaked seed. Stimulation was observed in a few parameters at low concentrations. Germination value, radicle length and mitotic divisions were found to be the most sensitive parameters. These findings will be very useful for guiding mutation breeding work in tree species.

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M. L. Kapoor , V. K. Sharma

Abstract

Biomass of Eucalyptus can be increased through genetic manipulation. Improved material created through hybridization, polyploidy and mutagenesis has been compared with different controls. Superiority of experimentally produced hybrids, allotriploid and mutants calculated at the age of 30, 10 and 10 months respectively on height, diameter, tolal biomass and volume is very high in comparison to their respective controls. Eucalyptus seems to be a very good material for breeding purposes having good scope for improvement in the genetic traits.

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M. L. Kapoor , V. K. Sharma

Abstract

There is an urgent need to increase tbe production of raw material for the wood based industries in our country. Poplars also merit our attention In this context, instead of depending upon the introduced clones there is a need to initiate work on the genetic improvement of poplars One of the methods to improve poplars genetically is to induce variability by gamma rays and pickup mutants. In this context cuttings of P. ciliata, P. deltoldes and P. jacometli were irradiated wlth 1, 2, 4 and 8 Kr, doses of gamma rays. Preliminary results have indicated the effectiveness of gamma rays in producing variability in different parameters namely height, collar diameter, resistance to cylindrocladium and morphological abnormalities in foliar characteristics. The results are indicative that mutation breeding bas practical possibility for induction and isolation of desirable mutations in poplars.

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M. L. Kapoor , V. K. Sharma

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Reciprocal hybrids between E. citriodora and E. torelliano belonging to subgenus Corymbia displayed superior growth. Hybridization evolved desired recombinations in respect or dense crown, aroma and resistance to fungus (Cylindrocladium quiqueseptaum) besides some intermediate characteristics. The two species through hybridization seem to have released a new spectrum of variation for making useful seleclions. Marker characters such as presence or absence of lignotubers and the shape of the leaf were used as diagnostic featurcs for detection of FI hybrids in the nursery. Aroma of crushed leaves proved to be a very handy method for detection of FI hybrids In the field. The results and the scope of the hybrids are discussed. In the papers The effect of hybridization between the two species manifests genetic manipulations.

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M. L. Kapoor , V. K. Sharma , M. S. Haque

Abstract

The effect of Ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS) was studied in M_l trees of Dalbergia sissoo raised after seed treatment. Parameters like pollen fertility. Pod characters, seed germination and chromosomal abnormalities were scored at anaphase of meiosis. Pollen fertility in all the trees emanating from different treatments was above 90 per cent. Though, slight differences due to treatment in respect of length and width of pod, length of pedicel and number of seeds per pod were observed, they were found to be statistically non-significant. Decrease in germination percentage of M₂ seeds in higher doses was observed. Stimulatory effect in some characters was also observed.

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M. L. Kapoor

Abstract

Systematic field grafting was done in Pinus caribaea from September 1975 to June 1976 at New Forest Debra Dun.The months of October, November, February and March gave 64-90% grafting success. Success was also achieved during September, December & January ranging from 15% to 50%. Most conductive mean temperature range was observed to be 13° to 22°C. High mean temperatures ranging from 23 to 27 with R.H. values below 50% proved detrimental for graft union. Grafting can be done sucessfully from September to March in Caribbean pine under Dehra Dun conditions.

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M. L. Kapoor

Abstract

Best results were achieved for cytological preparation from developing leaf buds of S. album when fixed in modified Cornoy's solution having from Chlorlde in traces hydrolysed in 1 : 9 parts of Normal Hcl and Aceto-orcein and stained in 2% Aceto-orcein. Chromosome number of diploid (2n = 20) and induced tetraploid (4n = 40) was counted by this techaiquea from leaf bads fixod at 1l.30 A.M. The induced tetraploids did not show the reversion trend to diploidy. Flowering is delayed in tetraploid.

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S. Kedharnath , M. L. Kapoor , R. K. Vakshasya

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Syotematic field. grafting was carried out every month in Chir Pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg) at New Forest, Dehra Dun from September, 1975 to june, 1976. One hundred per cent success in 'graft take' was obtained both in autoplastic and homeoplastic grafls made during the months of September, November and january. The grafts made daring the months of April, May and june failed completely. The grafts made during the months of October, Decetmber, February and March showed 60, 70, 65 and 55 percent suecess in homeoplaotic grafts and 55, 60, 60 and 50 per cent in autoplastic grafts. The knowledge gained from this trial on the best time of the year for grafting with this species it is expected that the work on establishment of seed orchard will get speeded up.

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M. L. Kapoor , K. K. Sharma

Abstract

"Triplet seedlings" from a single seed in Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea Morelet) were recorded during the course of studies on storage of the seeds.

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M. L. Kapoor , R. K. Vakshasya , S. Kedharnath

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Pinus patula is a fast growing exotic species from eastern Mexico which has done well in sub-tropical regions of India. It is a valuable long fibred raw material for paper pulp. The seeds of this species are in great demand by many countries for afforestation purposes. Thus, for ensuring sufficient production of genetically improved seeds of this species within the country, it was considered essential to establish clonal seed orchards. A knowledge of the optimal time for grafting is a very important prerequisite for speedy establishment of clonal seed orchards. To obtain information on the optimum time for grating, a systematic trial on field grafting was carried out from the month of September, 1975 to June, 1976 at New Forest, Dehra Dun. One hundred percent success in graft establishment was achieved during the months of November 1975 to March 1976. The grafting carried out in the months of September, October and April gave success in establishment that varied from 50 to 80 percent. The grafting carried out during May and June failed to establish. The climatic conditions obtaining during November to March with 11.4 to 16.8°C mean temperature appeared to be very conducive for establishment of the grafts. During the months of May and June when the mean temperature was 24.8 and 26.3°C the grafts failed to establish. Presumably, such high temperatures are not conducive for graft establishment.

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S. Kedharnath , M. L. Kapoor

Abstract

The caribbean pine which is an exotic to India has shown great promise. The seeds of this species are in great demand by many countries for taking up large-scale plantation work with the result that sufficient seeds are not easily obtiainable. Therefore, with the objective of becoming self sufficient in seeds of this species for planting programme, plans for establishing seed orchards have become becessary. For successful establishment of clonal seed orchards good grafting technique and knowledge of the optimum time for grafting are essential. Earlier grafting work done during March and April, 1975, with the scion material obtained from. Queensland, Australia, turned out to be a complete failure. Systematic grafting trials were, therefore, taken up at Dehra Dun in the months of September, October and November, 1975. Autoplastic and homeoplastic cleft grafts were made on side branches of 5 year old trees in the field in var. bahamensis. In Autoplastic grafts 60, 80 and 85 percent and in Homeoplastic grafts 15, 64 and 65 percent success was achieved respectively, for the months of September, October and November.

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M. L. Kapoor , S. Kedharnath

Abstract

EsperimentalJy synthesised autotetraploids in Sandalwood appeared very distinct from their corresponding diploids because of a marked change brought about in the morphology of the leaves and the angle in which they are held on the branches. To quantify these differences measurements were recorded on length width and thickness of leaf, length, thickness and angle of petiole. frequency and size of stomata. Length of leaf and petiole and frequency of stomata. per unit area showed a decrease in the tetraploids whereas for width and thickness of leaf, thickness of petiole and length and width of stomata the tetraploids showed an increase over the measurements for the diploids.

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