FINDINGS OF FORESTRY RESEARCH OF ARID FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE, JODHPUR
Global drylands encompassing arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions has expanded in last 60 years and continue to expand in 21 Century too as shown in simulations models. About 35.5 per cent of the total world’s population resides in drylands, which covers about 41.3% global land area at present. If hyper arid (desert) area is included, it goes up to 48% globally. Increasingly higher population is going to be affected by water scarcity and land degradations with any further increase in aridity. This is a cause of concern to Scientist, Politicians, administrators and public. In India, drylands covers about 228 million hectare land (i.e., 69% of India's geographical area). Except some pockets entire Rajasthan, Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu fall under drylands and covers about 5.24 million ha area under forests. Arid Forest Research Institute, Jodhpur is highly concerned with the above issues.
MANDATE AND OBJECTIVES OF INSTITUTE
The Mandate of Institute is “Forestry research for conservation of biodiversity and enhancement of bio-productivity in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli with special emphasis on arid and semi-arid regions”. This falls broadly under ICFRE mandate “To generate, preserve, disseminate and advance knowledge, technologies and solutions for addressing issues arising out of interaction between people, forests and environment on a sustained basis through research, education and extension”.
The prime objective of the institute is to cater to the forestry research needs of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. AFRI has taken initiatives in many thrust areas as listed below with major concern on combating desertification and climate change issue and having close linkages and collaboration with State Forest Departments under its jurisdiction and other concern Institutes and Universities of Rajasthan and Gujarat States.
THRUST AREAS
The main thrust areas of the Institute include:
Afforestation of stress sites and reforestation of degraded forests,
Silviculture and management of plantations,
Growth and yield modeling,
Planting stock improvement including biotechnologies,
Bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides,
Phytochemistry & non-timber forest products,
Integrated pest & disease management,
Biodiversity and Climate Change,
Agroforestry & Extension and forestry education.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI), one of the nine institutes of the Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education(ICFRE); an autonomous organization of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India was established in 1988 at Jodhpur. It was established with an aim to cater to the need of scientific research in forestry & allied fields, enhance the productivity & vegetative cover, conserve the biodiversity and to develop the technologies for the end-users of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Dadra Nagar Havelli and Daman Diu. In the beginning it was running in rented building in Chaupasni Housing Board, Jodhpur and later on shifted to the present campus (20.82 ha) at New Pali Road in 1995. Present main campus includes Administrative Block, Divisional Laboratories, Guest House, Scientist Hostel-cum-Transit Accommodation and a Community Centre. AFRI is having a sister campus at Basni Plot No. 729 (9.92 ha), six Experimental Fields and a Model Nursery (34.41 ha).
The research activities of the Institute are executed by six divisions namely Forest Ecology, Forest genetics & Tree Breeding, Forest Protection, Non-Wood Forest Products, Silviculture and Agro-Forestry & Extension. Present working strength of Institute is of 126 (out of sanctioned strength of 142) which includes 3 IFS officers, 24 Scientists, a Under Secretary, a Section Officer, a Hindi officer, a Librarian, 11 Research Officers, 26 ministerial staff, 41 technical staff and 20 supporting staff.
1. PATENTS DEVELOPED AND IT'S USEFULNESS IN LAST 25 YEARS
Total no number of patents: Nil
2. PAPERS PUBLISHED IN LAST 25 YEARS WITH THEIR IMPACT FACTOS
A total number of 559 papers have been published in national and international Journals as in the table provided below. A separate list detailing the impact factor of the individual paper is attached as annexure I.
SNo. / Impact factor / Nos. of papers / Total / %National / International
1 / <0.5 / 9 / 10 / 19 / 3
2 / 0.5-1.0 / 21 / 46 / 67 / 12
3 / 1.0-2.0 / 0 / 19 / 19 / 3
4 / 2.0-5.0 / 0 / 20 / 20 / 4
5 / >5.0 / 0 / 8 / 8 / 1
6 / - / 335 / 91 / 446 / 76
Total / 365 / 194 / 559 / 100
3. IMPORTANT RESEARCH PROJECTS IN LAST 10 YEARS AND RESEARCH FINDINGS
AFRI has completed 64 research projects during last 10 years (i.e., 2004-2014) against a total of 102 during 1992-2014 (List are attached separately as Annexure II).
SNo. / Division / Projects concluded (Nos.)1 / Forest Ecology Division / 15
2 / Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding Division / 10
3 / Forest Protection Division / 11
4 / Non Wood Forest Product Division / 7
5 / Silviculture Division / 15
6 / Agroforestry & Extention Division / 5
7 / Information Technology Cell / 1
Total / 64
Outcomes of the research projects are categorized under different thrust areas of ICFRE and major research achievements are described below:
3.1 Managing Forests and Forests Products for Livelihood Support and Economic Growth
Rehabilitation of degraded hills: Rehabilitation of degraded hillocks of <10%, 10-20% and >20% slopes in lower Aravalli ranges though afforestation (mixed plantation) and rainwater harvesting (viz. contour trench, gradonie trench, box trench and V-ditch) controlled run-off loss (by 2.1% of the total rainfall) and soil and nutrient loss reducing water quality deterioration in downstream. By improving soil water and nutrient status this work enhanced the survival and growth of plantation and regeneration of herbaceous vegetation and its diversity (from 39 to 92 number of species in 5 years) and productivity (24 to 62%). Improved microclimate favoured soil carbon storage by 3.5 to 5.9-fold and regeneration of historically indigenous species thus helped restoring the degraded hillocks. Among planted species, D. strictus, E. officinalis, A. catechu, S. cumini performed better in Contour trench; G. arborea and H. integrifolia performed better in Box trench and A. indica and Z. mauritiana performed better in V-ditch plots. This rehabilitation work conserved soil and water, improved environmental conditions and supply of water availability by 2 to 3 months and enhanced fodder and fuel wood in benefits of the local people.
Salt Land Rehabilitation: Suitably selected species with planting techniques and fertilizer amendments has resulted in increase of organic matter, decrease of pH and conductivity and increase in biodiversity. Use of Gypsum (100 % soil GR), FYM and nitrogen enhanced growth (30-70%) depending upon treatments for all the plant species in Rajasthan. FYM + Wheat husk was best for black soil in Gujarat.
Application ofFYM is necessary to improve the nutrient availabilityafter ten years of plantation ofS. persicaas assimilation oforganic residues from leaf fall and weed growth did not improve the organic matter content sufficiently. Addition of inorganic fertilizers is also necessary due to fertility depletion. Over all best treatments for plant growth and fruit yield addition of FYM+SSP+K2SO4 and FYM+SSP+K2SO4+ Urea + ZnSO4.Phosphorus application proved to be the most effective treatment. In deficient monsoon year treatments with Zinc performed better. In case of A. ampliceps combination of FYM with other fertilizers produced better results. Urea application was most effective, urea alone produced maximum height increment (49.2%), while urea+ FYM enhanced the crown diameter to maximum value. Overall seed yield per tree was same 31-32g/tree in all treatments, but Zinc application influenced seed size.
Nitrogen fixing species for soil improvement: Leguminous species like Crotalaria burhia, Clitoria ternatea, Mimosa hamata, Mucuna prurience grown in the field enhanced soil fertility status and microbiological activity i.e. increased activities of acid and alkaline phosphatise and dehydrogenase. There was 1.2 to 3.0-fold increase in enzymes activities, soil NO3 –N, NH4 –N, PO4-P and soil organic carbon.
Biodrainage pontetial of tree species: Performance of Corymbia tessellaris, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus fastigata and Eucalyptus rudis in a canal side (Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana) waterlogged area and their impact on ground water depletion and soil nutrients was studied. E. rudis performed the best among the tree species with respect to growth, biomass, transpiration rate and overall bio‐drainage potential. Ground water level receded by 145 cm (from stagnant water of 20 cm to a depth of 125 cm) in E. rudis plot and by 90 cm, 70 cm and 60 cm In C. tessellaris, E. camaldulensis and E. fastigata plots, respectively.
Wastewater utilizations: Out of the seven species viz., Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Prospis cineraria, P. juliflora, Salvadora oleoides, S. persica and Tamarix aphylla irrigated with varying levels of wastewater released from common treatment plants of Jodhpur, A. indica, E. camaldulensis, P. juliflora are performing well.
Lysimetric studies of biodrainage species: We compared biomass and water use of Eucalyptus camaldulensis with two native tree species viz. Acacia nilotica and Tamarix aphylla under different levels of water logging (at 50 cm and 100 cm below soil depth) and salinity (0, 12 and 24 dSm-1) in lysimeters. Average daily water use by E. camaldeulensis was estimated at 29 to 61 litre per plant in non saline waterlogging at 100 cm soil depth and 26 to 38 litre in non saline waterlogging at 50 cm soil depth in different months. With increase in salinity water use decreased to 5 to 12 litre per plant. In A. nilotica average daily water use was lower (20 to 38 litre per day) than E. camaldulensis but higher than T. aphylla (12-36 litre per day per plant) under non saline waterlogging at 100 cm soil depth. However, under non saline waterlogging at 50 cm soil depth it was high (46-63 litre per day per plant) in A. nilotica followed by E. camaldulensis and T. aphylla (9-25 litre per day per plant). Water use in A. nilotica and T. aphylla was 13-23 litre and 5-16 litre per day per plant respectively, under saline waterlogging condition. Treatments of salinity had greater negative impact on biomass accumulation by different species being high in E. camaldulensis followed by A. nilotica and T. aphylla. Above ground dry biomass was high in A. nilotica followed by E. camaldulensis and T. aphylla. For biodrainage point of view A. nilotica may be better choise over E. camaldulensis and T. aphylla by virtue of greater water use and above ground biomass. However, E. camaldulensis may be better option considering carbon sequestration aspect because of high total biomass under non saline waterlogging condition. Native species, Acacia nilotica and Tamarix aphylla showed higher tolerance towards salinity compared to E. camaldulensis and may be a better option for planting in waterlogged areas with higher salinity (8- 10 dSm-1).
Agroforestry Models: Managing tree-crop interaction by canopy trimming and below ground resources by trenching around trees like Hardwickia binnata and Colophospermum mopane enhanced crop and grass yield. On a farmer field, P. cineraria recorded maximum survival & growth out of five species tried (Ailanthus excelsa, Colophospermum mopane, Cordia myxa, Prosopis cineraria, and Zizyphus mauritiana), at 5 years age. Height and collar dia of C. mopane and P. cineraria and collar dia of C. myxa was significantly higher in agroforestry plot than without crop plot. Wheat crop production reduced significantly in C. mopane :Cordia myxa combination plots in fifth year.
Silvipasture models: An experiment conducted at Mochirai, Bhuj in Gujarat indicates that densely sown grass adversely affect yield of tree component, but provide higher total biomass. However, grass sowing in small strips promote plant growth, but reduce total biomass yield.
Development of Urban Afforestation Model: An urban aesthetic model designed and implemented at IITJ, Jodhpur new campus site along Nagaur road. Different combinations of tree and shrubs with varying phenology were planted. Species includes Azadirachta indica, Milingtonia hartensis, Peltoforum pterocarpum, Tabebuea aurea, Bougainvillia spp., Plumeria alba, Tabernaemontana divaricata, Nerium oleander etc.
Growth & Yield Studies and regression equations: Volume tables, Site index equations, growth and yield models have been developed for Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Dalbergia sissoo plantations. Developed volume functions for Acacia tortilis and biomass equations for Azadirachta indica. Volume and generalized height-dbh equations have been constructed for Tecomella undulata. Total wood volume equations, dominant height, potential density and basal area prediction models for Eucalyptus hybrid and Acacia nilotica and anamorphic height growth models for Prosopis cineraria and Ailanthus excelsa plantations have also been developed for their filed applications. Different linear and nonlinear equations (common) have been developed for estimating aboveground and belowground biomass and carbon accounting using diameter at breast height (dbh) for trees, collar diameter for shrubs, under shrubs and tree saplings, and crown diameter for Euphorbia spp.
Studies on Famine Foods: Crude protein contents in Prosopis cineraria bark, Aerva pseudotomentosa (Bui) leaves and Acacia senegal seed were found to 23, 32 and 36 % respectively. Leaf protein concentrates of 11 tree species including Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera have been prepared for their use as famine foods.
Potentials of Sandal Cultivation: Survey of sandal population in south and eastern Rajasthan indicated presence of its natural stands, where heartwood and oil content varies with place and age ranging from 0.9 to 3.0%.
Utilization of Lesser Known Timber species: Chemically treated (CCA + 2% chloropyriphos) and seasoned woods of Prosopis juliflora, Acacia tortilis and P. cineraria has increased the value and resistance against damage. Value added products like sofa set, utility box and pen stand etc. have been made from these treated woods.
Harvesting time of medicinal plants: Harvesting time assessed for maximum availability of secondary metabolites in Calotropis procera, Tribulus rajasthanensis, Pluchea lanceolata and Cassia angustifolia, i.e. various developmental stages like vegetative, flowering and fruiting. Study on Calotropis procera flowers in different seasons has revealed that the concentration of sterols is higher during winter and alkaloids in summer.
3.2 Bidiversity Conservation and Ecological Security
Biological diversity in Barmer and Jalore district: A total number of 144 plant species have been identified (15 tree species, 17 shrub species, 82 herb species and 30 grasses/ sedges) in Rajasthan Hydrocarbon Project Area (Cairns Energy) in Barmer. Resource conservation interventions in Aravalli hills enhanced biological diversity from 39 to 92 species during 2005- 2009.