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
- Risk assessment and development of management protocols for alien invasive ants of Kerala
- Evaluation of bioactive principles from entomofungi for insect pest management
- Developing a sampling mathodology for the snail Achatina fulica and to estimate the population size in infested sites of Kerala
- Assessment of medicinal plant resources of Northern Kerala
- Kerala Forest And Environment Index (KF&E-Index)
- Plant metabolic studies in the genus Embelia found in Kerala.
- Ecology and restoration of Cynometra beddomei and Kingiodendron pinnatum two endemic and endangered tree legumes of Western Ghats of Kerala.
- Foraging ecology of selected birds in the Kole wetlands of Kerala, India.
- Network project on conservation of Lac insect genetic resources
- Fire as a Management Tool: A case study from selected forest ecosystems in Kerala.
- Ecology and patch dynamics of the endangered grizzled giant squirrel, Ratuya macroura dandolena habitats in South India with special reference to its conservation
- Development of biomarkers as a predictive tool for organophosphate toxicity in terrestrial ecosystem
- Long-term monitoring of forest ecosystem dynamics: Phase I: Establishment of 10 ha. permanent plot in tropical wet evergreen forest of Kerala
- Plant growth promoting Rhizosphere and Rhizoplane Fungi of grasses and their ability to control important fungal diseases of forest nurseries
- Ecology and conservation genetics of Atuna indica and Hydnocarpus longipedunculatus –two rare and endemic trees in the Kerala part of the Western Ghats
- Exploring the potential for hybridization in bamboo species in flower in KFRI Bambusetum
- Study on reproductive constrains and seed characteristics of Terminalia paniculata
- Developing a digital library for the Teak Museum
- Bioactivity guided fratination and mechanistic elucidation of biomolecules from Cocculus iaurifolius DC. Of Southern Western Ghats
- Genetic improvement of selected tree species-Phase I:Establishment of germplasm collection at KFRI
- Factors affecting roosting ecology of birds in Kerala
- Pedogenic influences on vegetation dynamics in major forested wetlands of Kerala Western Ghats
- Developing a sampling methodology for the snail Achatina fulica and to estimate the population size in infested sites of Kerala
- Exploration of medicinal plant resources of Lakshadweep island with special reference to indigenous knowledge
- Wood balance study in Kerala
- Documentation of population demography and genetic structure of teak for developing sustainable conservation strategies and resource management
- Genetic Improvement of Selected Tree Species- Phase I: Plus Tree Selection, Standardization of the Propagation Techniques, Establishment of Seed Orchard and Clonal Hedge Garden
- Economic valuation of ecosystem services in the moist deciduous forests of Kerala
- Authentication of major commercially traded raw drugs in the Ayurvedic systems of medicine in India
- The medicinal plants market in South India: Economic value and tribal rights
- Development of management protocols for already established invasive alien species in the protected and other forests of Kerala
- Establishment of a Herbal Garden as a peri-urban green space of Nilambur, Malappuram District, Kerala
- Bird hazard to aircrafts in the Cochin Naval Air Station(INS Garuda)
- Exploration of medicinal plant resources of Panju islands of Maharashtra
- Collection, Identification, documentation, exploration and conservation of biodiversity of parasitic foliicolous hyphomycetous fungi from Tarai forests flora of Uttar Pradesh
- Tracking the invasion of Achatina Fulica and its role in spreading the rat lung worm Angiostrongylos cantonensis
- DNA Barcoding a promising molecular tool for timber forensis
- Compilation of Indian Forestry Abstracts (IFA) Phase III
- Foraging ecology of birds in the kole wetlands of Kerala, India
- Assessment of ecosystem services from Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
- Pedogenesis and geochemical transformations in forest ecosystems of Western Ghats, Kerala
- Modelling carbon sequestration and its dynamics in the mangrove systems of Kerala
- Evaluation of Phenotypic and Phytochemical profiles of selected medicinal plants from different agro- climatic conditions of Kerala
- Molecular fingerprints and geochemical interaction of organo-nano composites from forest floor humic acids in Western Ghats, Kerala
- Chemistry and transformation of clay minerals under continuous teak rotations of Kerala Western Ghats
- Reproductive traits and phenology of endemic plant species in New Amarambalam reserved forests of Nilagiri Biosphere
- Using soundscapes to examine spatio temporal ecological dynamics and assess biodiversity of a protected area in the Western Ghats
- 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
- Long term monitoring of Strobilanthes kunthianus in Eravikulam National Park-Phase I.
- Evaluation of selected clones of Teak through multi site testing to identify site specific clones for large scale plantations.
- Establishment of Nodal Centre of Alien Invasive Species research and management
- Resolving species complexes using molecular systematics: a case study of few taxa in the Western Ghats
- Restoration and reassessment of selected IUCN listed endangered tress in the Western Ghats
Ongoing Extension Projects
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- Maintenance of digital archives and research project records in RME
- Developing protocols for professional forest management practices
- Establishing Tulasivanam(Collection of Tulasi Plants) at Niyamasabha Complex
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- 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
- National interaction meeting of practitioners and researchers of traditional system of medicine
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- Recreating forest with emphasis on indigenous plants at the campus of Hill Palace, Ernakulum - Phase 1
- A Proposal for Publishing an Introductory, Pictorial Book (Coffee-Table Book) on the Forest Wealth of Kerala
- 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