Divisions » Forest Genetics and Biotechnology

Forest Genetics and Biotechnology

The Division consists of Genetics and Tree Breeding as well as Biotechnology Departments. The main thrust areas of research under this Division are
  • Selection of plus trees and genetic improvement
  • Studies on breeding system parameters and gene flow
  • Tissue culture and low-cost micropropagation technology
  • DNA barcoding
  • Population Genetics using dominant and co-dominant molecular markers
  • Marker assisted selection
  • Association mapping for adaptive traits
  • Molecular diagnosis of genetic disorders


Ongoing Research Projects

  1. Risk assessment and development of management protocols for alien invasive ants of Kerala
  2. Evaluation of bioactive principles from entomofungi for insect pest management
  3. Developing a sampling mathodology for the snail Achatina fulica and to estimate the population size in infested sites of Kerala
  4. Assessment of medicinal plant resources of Northern Kerala
  5. Kerala Forest And Environment Index (KF&E-Index)
  6. Plant metabolic studies in the genus Embelia found in Kerala.
  7. Ecology and restoration of Cynometra beddomei and Kingiodendron pinnatum two endemic and endangered tree legumes of Western Ghats of Kerala.
  8. Foraging ecology of selected birds in the Kole wetlands of Kerala, India.
  9. Network project on conservation of Lac insect genetic resources
  10. Fire as a Management Tool: A case study from selected forest ecosystems in Kerala.
  11. Ecology and patch dynamics of the endangered grizzled giant squirrel, Ratuya macroura dandolena habitats in South India with special reference to its conservation
  12. Development of biomarkers as a predictive tool for organophosphate toxicity in terrestrial ecosystem
  13. Long-term monitoring of forest ecosystem dynamics: Phase I: Establishment of 10 ha. permanent plot in tropical wet evergreen forest of Kerala
  14. Plant growth promoting Rhizosphere and Rhizoplane Fungi of grasses and their ability to control important fungal diseases of forest nurseries
  15. Ecology and conservation genetics of Atuna indica and Hydnocarpus longipedunculatus –two rare and endemic trees in the Kerala part of the Western Ghats
  16. Exploring the potential for hybridization in bamboo species in flower in KFRI Bambusetum
  17. Study on reproductive constrains and seed characteristics of Terminalia paniculata
  18. Developing a digital library for the Teak Museum
  19. Bioactivity guided fratination and mechanistic elucidation of biomolecules from Cocculus iaurifolius DC. Of Southern Western Ghats
  20. Genetic improvement of selected tree species-Phase I:Establishment of germplasm collection at KFRI
  21. Factors affecting roosting ecology of birds in Kerala
  22. Pedogenic influences on vegetation dynamics in major forested wetlands of Kerala Western Ghats
  23. Developing a sampling methodology for the snail Achatina fulica and to estimate the population size in infested sites of Kerala
  24. Exploration of medicinal plant resources of Lakshadweep island with special reference to indigenous knowledge
  25. Wood balance study in Kerala
  26. Documentation of population demography and genetic structure of teak for developing sustainable conservation strategies and resource management
  27. Genetic Improvement of Selected Tree Species- Phase I: Plus Tree Selection, Standardization of the Propagation Techniques, Establishment of Seed Orchard and Clonal Hedge Garden
  28. Economic valuation of ecosystem services in the moist deciduous forests of Kerala
  29. Authentication of major commercially traded raw drugs in the Ayurvedic systems of medicine in India
  30. The medicinal plants market in South India: Economic value and tribal rights
  31. Development of management protocols for already established invasive alien species in the protected and other forests of Kerala
  32. Establishment of a Herbal Garden as a peri-urban green space of Nilambur, Malappuram District, Kerala
  33. Bird hazard to aircrafts in the Cochin Naval Air Station(INS Garuda)
  34. Exploration of medicinal plant resources of Panju islands of Maharashtra
  35. Collection, Identification, documentation, exploration and conservation of biodiversity of parasitic foliicolous hyphomycetous fungi from Tarai forests flora of Uttar Pradesh
  36. Tracking the invasion of Achatina Fulica and its role in spreading the rat lung worm Angiostrongylos cantonensis
  37. DNA Barcoding a promising molecular tool for timber forensis
  38. Compilation of Indian Forestry Abstracts (IFA) Phase III
  39. Foraging ecology of birds in the kole wetlands of Kerala, India
  40. Assessment of ecosystem services from Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
  41. Pedogenesis and geochemical transformations in forest ecosystems of Western Ghats, Kerala
  42. Modelling carbon sequestration and its dynamics in the mangrove systems of Kerala
  43. Evaluation of Phenotypic and Phytochemical profiles of selected medicinal plants from different agro- climatic conditions of Kerala
  44. Molecular fingerprints and geochemical interaction of organo-nano composites from forest floor humic acids in Western Ghats, Kerala
  45. Chemistry and transformation of clay minerals under continuous teak rotations of Kerala Western Ghats
  46. Reproductive traits and phenology of endemic plant species in New Amarambalam reserved forests of Nilagiri Biosphere
  47. Using soundscapes to examine spatio temporal ecological dynamics and assess biodiversity of a protected area in the Western Ghats
  48. Exploring the possibility of developing Semiochemical based control strategy for the management of Cossus cadambae- the borer pest of Tectona granidis through isolation & identification of its pheromone system
  49. Long term monitoring of Strobilanthes kunthianus in Eravikulam National Park-Phase I.
  50. Evaluation of selected clones of Teak through multi site testing to identify site specific clones for large scale plantations.
  51. Establishment of Nodal Centre of Alien Invasive Species research and management
  52. Resolving species complexes using molecular systematics: a case study of few taxa in the Western Ghats
  53. Restoration and reassessment of selected IUCN listed endangered tress in the Western Ghats

Ongoing Extension Projects

  10. Maintenance of digital archives and research project records in RME
  11. Developing protocols for professional forest management practices
  12. Establishing Tulasivanam(Collection of Tulasi Plants) at Niyamasabha Complex
  15. Preparation of compensatory mangrove afforestation and conservation plan related to the widening and improvement of NH 17 from Kannur to Vegalam in the State of Kerala
  16. National interaction meeting of practitioners and researchers of traditional system of medicine
  18. Recreating forest with emphasis on indigenous plants at the campus of Hill Palace, Ernakulum - Phase 1
  19. A Proposal for Publishing an Introductory, Pictorial Book (Coffee-Table Book) on the Forest Wealth of Kerala
  20. Computer, information networking website, software and communication development
The Departments under this program division are
Contact: Dr. EM Muralidharan
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Peechi 680653, Thrissur, Kerala, INDIA
Tel: +91-487-2690251
e-mail: fg&b@kfri.res.in