The division is engaged in genetic improvement of forestry species, encompassing conservation of genetic resources  and biotechnology and vegetative propagation of various tree species viz., Tectona grandis (Teak), Pterocarpus marsupium (Beeja Sal), Dalbergia latifolia (Rosewood), and various NTFP species, viz., Rauvolfia serpentina (Serpentine) , Madhuca indica(Mahua), Tamarindus indica (Tamrind) and Buchnania lanzan (Chironji) and 6 bamboo species. Conservation of genetic resources of Tectona grandis (Teak), Santalum album (Sandalwood), Boswellia serrata (Salai), Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Pterocarpus marsupium (Bija Sal) through selection and collection of germplasm from diverse areas of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh has been achieved. Biotechnological interventions, including molecular marker assisted evaluation of germplasm have been worked out for future performance of Tectona grandi (Teak), Santalum album (Sandalwood) and Boswellia serrata (salai). The division also dealt with selection and collection of germplasm of medicinal plants like Rauvolfia serpentina (Serpentine) and Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) across the country for screening of best accession for higher chemical content. Selection of best sources for higher productivity of Diospyros melanoxylon (Tendu), Bauhinia vahlii (Kachnar) and Madhuca indica (Mahua) in Chhattisgarh has been done.

Besides, the division has successfully developed macropropagation and micropropagation protocol for several woody species like, Tectona grandis (Teak), Gmelina arborea (Khamer), Dalbergia sissoo (Sissoo), Dalbergia latifolia (Shisam), Albizia procera (Safed siris), Azadirachta indica (Neem), twelve bamboo species and several medicinal plants like, Kaempferia galanga (Chandramul), Bacopa monnierie (Brahmi), Saraca indica (Ashoka),  Ruta graveolens (Shatab), Rauvolfia serpentina (Serpentine) and  Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy).

Two new varieties of Rauvolfia serpentina as improved varieties in terms of high reserpine content, root yield and total alkaloid has been released. The variety named as TFRI-RS 1 reported to contain high root yield whereas TFRI-RS 2 reported to contain high alkaloid and reserpine as compared to check varieties viz, RS-1(JNKVV, Indore) and CIM-Sheel (CIMAP, Lucknow). Both the varieties can be exploited for cultivation of Rauvolfia serpentina (Giloy)and supply of authenticated planting material can be ensured.

Mandate

To undertake research on conservation and genetic improvement of commercially important tree species of tropical forests for productivity enhancement

Activities 

• Population Genetics
• Clonal Forestry
• Carbonic anhydrase as abiochemical marker for carbon sequestration in teak
• Molecular diversity analysis in teak
• Azadiractin quantification in Azadirachta indica
• Establishment of germplasm bank of Litsea glutinosa (Lour)
• Germplasm collection and ex situ conservation of Pterocarpus marsupium
• Somatic embryiogenesis in Dalbergia latifolia
• Comparative field performance of micro propagated plantlets of three bamboo species.
• Genetic Improvement of Bamboo (National Bamboo Mission funded project)
• Release of variety of Rauvofia serpentine.
• Establishment of progeny trial of Dalbergia latifolia
• Comparative field trial of seedlings and cutting raised plants of Dalbergia latifolia.
• Establishment of progeny trial of Tectona grandis
• Establishment of Seedling Seed Orchard (SSO) of Tectona grandis.
• Establishment of germplasm bank of Tectona grandis

Trainings

• One week training on Plant Biotechnology is being provided to Graduate students of Biotechnology and other Stakeholders.(Fees- Rs.1,000)
• Six months (Fees – Rs. 20,000) and three months (Fees – Rs. 15,000) Post-Graduate and Graduate dissertation work.
• One month Internship for graduate students.

Consultancy Services

Clonal fidelity testing services are being provided to Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh Forest Departments for Eucalyptus clones and tissue culture raised bamboo plants and revenue is being generated for the institute/council.

Contact :

Dr. Naseer Mohammad

Head of Department

Genetics and Tree Improvement Division

Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur (MP)    

482021

E-mail: hod_gti_tfri@icfre.org, mohammadn@icfre.org