Forest Research Institute

About: Forest Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Dehra Dūn, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Forest management. The organization has 5320 authors who have published 7625 publications receiving 185876 citations.

Blue-stain fungi associated with Tomicus piniperda in Sweden and preliminary observations on their pathogenicity

Abstract: Des attaques massives de Tomicus piniperda ont ete provoquees sur des jeunes pins sylvestres de vitalite variee, en appâtant les insectes avec des fragments de rondins de pin frais. Les arbres ont ete abattus a differentes dates pour suivre le developpement des champignons du bleuissement dans l'aubier. Les champignons ont ete isoles a partir d'echantillons d'ecorce interne et d'aubier bleui, situes en correspondance avec des galeries de Tomicus piniperda. Des echantillons ont aussi ete preleves sur des grumes attaquees

High Density Polyethylene Composites Reinforced with Hybrid Inorganic Fillers: Morphology, Mechanical and Thermal Expansion Performance

Abstract: The effect of individual and combined talc and glass fibers (GFs) on mechanical and thermal expansion performance of the filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites was studied. Several published models were adapted to fit the measured tensile modulus and strength of various composite systems. It was shown that the use of silane-modified GFs had a much larger effect in improving mechanical properties and in reducing linear coefficient of thermal expansion (LCTE) values of filled composites, compared with the use of un-modified talc particles due to enhanced bonding to the matrix, larger aspect ratio, and fiber alignment for GFs. Mechanical properties and LCTE values of composites with combined talc and GF fillers varied with talc and GF ratio at a given total filler loading level. The use of a larger portion of GFs in the mix can lead to better composite performance, while the use of talc can help lower the composite costs and increase its recyclability. The use of 30 wt % combined filler seems necessary to control LCTE values of filled HDPE in the data value range generally reported for commercial wood plastic composites. Tensile modulus for talc-filled composite can be predicted with rule of mixture, while a PPA-based model can be used to predict the modulus and strength of GF-filled composites.

Microarthropoda and Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) in Naturally Lead-Contaminated Soil: A Gradient Study

Abstract: The microarthropod and enchytraeid fauna of a natural lead-contaminated soil in a Norwegian spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karst., forest was studied in gradients from unpolluted soil to the middle of a vegetation-free area. Because of dissolved lead from the bedrock, about 50 m2 of the forest floor lacked vegetation, and another 50 m2 had weakly developed vegetation. The lead content in the raw humus was up to 10–15% dry wt. Increasing levels of lead gave a gradual reduction in species numbers among plants and microarthropods. Microarthropod species varied in their ability to live in lead-polluted soil. Four groups were recognized: (1) sensitive species associated with normal vegetation, (2) less sensitive species occurring even in areas with strongly reduced vegetation, (3) tolerant species extending their range into vegetation-free areas, and (4) microarthropods favored by strong lead pollution ( Isotoma olivacea Tullberg among Collembola and Nanorchestes sp. among mites). Because a few species increased strongly in the vegetation-free area, the total abundance of microarthropods remained almost the same throughout the gradient. Changes in vegetation cover along the lead gradient is a confounding factor, but sensitive species proved to react equally negatively to increased lead levels when the vegetation factor was kept constant. Possible adaptations to lead during the postglacial period are discussed.

Assessment of genetic structure within and among Bulgarian populations of the common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.).

Abstract: We analysed genetic variation within and between populations of the common ash from Bulgaria in order to extract biological information useful in the context of conservation management of eastern European genetic resources of noble hardwood species. A total of 321 trees from three regions of Bulgaria were typed at six highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. Analysis of within-population inbreeding suggests an upper boundary value of 2.7% for the selfing rate. Significant spatial genetic structure consistent with models of isolation by distance was detected within four out of 10 populations as well as among populations. Estimates of neighbourhood size in the range 38-126 individual trees were obtained based on spatial genetic structure analyses at either the intrapopulation or interpopulation level. Differentiation among populations explained only about 8.7% of total genetic diversity. These results are discussed in comparison with data from social broad-leaved species such as oak and beech.