| Clonal Technology
with emphasis on genetic improvement of planting stocks
and improvement in the “package of practices”
used by growers is a key focus area. Significant gains
in productivity of eucalyptus have been achieved through
vegetative propagation and cloning techniques and
exploration of existing useful variation. These clones
are developed in India for the first time, are known
as “Bhadrachalam” Clones.
Productivity of clones released for commercial plantations,
ranges between 20 to 58 cubic meter per hectare per
year under un-irrigated conditions compared to 6 to
10 cubic meters per hectare per year productivity
of eucalyptus plantations raised from available seed
sources.
Today, our efforts have extended to other species
like Casuarina, Subabul and Bamboo.
 The
most outstanding, fast growing and disease resistant
trees with maximum desirable qualities are selected
from existing plantations. These are called Candidate
Plus Trees (CPTs).- CPTs are coppiced to get juvenile coppice shoots.
- Cuttings are prepared from the coppice shoots
and treated with hormones for rooting in green houses.
- Environment inside the green house is controlled
for best root growth by regulating temperature,
humidity , sunlight and air circulation at optimum
levels.
- Rooted cuttings are "hardened" in shade
house and then nursed in open nurseries. Clonal
planting stock thus produced is tested under replicated
field trials. Gene banks of outstanding clones have
been established for large scale multiplication.
A modern clonal nursery with an annual production
capacity of 6 million eucalyptus ramets was established
at ITC Bhadrachalam with indigenous technological
know how. Vegetative propagation protocols were standardized
and root trainer technology was adopted for mass multiplication.
Presently, the infrastructure for Clonal propagation
includes 31 mist chambers covering an area of 3100m2,
hardening area of 900 m2 and 25000m2 for open nursery.
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| 1992-93 |
27028 |
16.6 |
|
16.6 |
1.7 |
| 1993-94 |
61670 |
39.5 |
|
39.5 |
4 |
| 1994-95 |
233076 |
161.4 |
|
161.44 |
16.1 |
| 1995-96 |
415435 |
239.4 |
|
239.43 |
23.9 |
| 1996-97 |
1020000 |
790.5 |
16.6 |
807.1 |
80.7 |
| 1997-98 |
1293069 |
759.2 |
39.5 |
798.66 |
79.9 |
| 1998-99 |
2073000 |
1204 |
161.44 |
1365.44 |
136.5 |
| 1999-00 |
2281011 |
1354.7 |
239.43 |
1594.14 |
159.4 |
| 2000-01 |
2626582 |
1578.7 |
790.5 |
2369.18 |
236.9 |
| 2001-02 |
3879010 |
2447 |
759.16 |
3206.16 |
320.6 |
| 2002-03 |
4784342 |
2131.7 |
1204 |
3335.7 |
333.5 |
| Total |
18694223 |
10722.7 |
3210.63 |
13933.35 |
1393.2 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
 The
Division’s efforts and contribution for promoting
forestry research and clonal farm forestry plantations
have been recognized with four prestigious awards.
- Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award
– 1997, by Ministry of Environment
and forests, Government of India.
- Rajiv Gandhi Parti Bhoomi Mitra Award
– 1994-96, by Ministry of Rural Areas and
Employment, Government of India.
- The Vantech Industry Rolling Trophy
for Research and Development – 1995, Award
by Confederation of Indian Industry, Southern Region.
- FAPCCI Award for ‘The Best
Technological Development in Research and Development
for 1991-92’ by Federation of Andhra Pradesh
Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
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