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In the recent past, forest resources throughout the world are experiencing uncontrolled exploitation and
depletion, especially wild edible and other multipurpose tree species. It is very important to maintain
their adequate population status of such over exploited tree species, which otherwise may become extinct
in the near future. In this context the present study was an attempt to throw light on the regeneration
status of few wild edible tree species in the forested landscapes of Kodagu, Central Western Ghats: one of
the 34 mega centers of hotspots of biodiversity in the worl d. In the present study, three species were
chosen for the regeneration studies viz., Carisa inermis, Mimusops elengi, and Chrysophyllum
roxberghii. The findings of the study indicates that, the regeneration of all the species showed very poor
regeneration, which could be attributed to the commercial extraction of these fruits. The nursery
propagation studies indicate that, in Carissa inermis, the seeds treated with cow urine and cow dung
slurry showed better seed germination and speed of germination. In Chrysophyllum roxberghii, seeds
treated with 1.0 N and 0.5 N sulphuric acid showed better germination compared control and other
treatments. In case of Mimusops elengi seed germination and speed of germination were better in seeds
treated with cold water compared to control. It was found that, collection of fruits may not be the sole
reason of poor regeneration of these species, it could also be due to the germination constraints. In this
context, the present study provides an insight into the pre sowing treatments required for different species
for producing better nursery stocks, which in turn can be reintroduced for their conservation in the
natural habitats.
Introduction
The past decade has noticed an unprecedented loss of biodiversity all over the world especially in the
tropical countries. The tropical forests of the world cover 7 per cent of the earth’s land surface which
comprises more than 50 per cent of all the known species in the world. Assuming the current rate of
deforestation, it is estimated that by 2010, the tropical forests of the world would have lost about 33 to 50
per cent of the species (Gadgil, 2001).
The fruits are nature’s gift to mankind. These are not only delicious and refreshing, but are also the chief
source of vitamins, minerals and proteins. These constituents are essential for normal physiological well
being and help in maintaining healthy state through development of resistance against pathogens (Bal,
1997). The wild edible fruits are the normal food of cattle grazers and the forest tribes. Hence, conserving
these species has a great value in developing countries.
Among the several mult ipurpose wild edible fruit yielding tree species, Carissa inermis, Chrysophyllum
rouxburghii and Mimusops elengi are gaining prime importance during the recent past in the study area.
The regeneration of wild edible fruit species is poor in natural habitats mainly due to in tense biotic
pressure. There was a lack of sufficient mature seeds of these species in the wild, since the fruits of these
species have been collected by the local people and were also sold in the local market. If the exp loitation
trend continues at the same rate, the natural regeneration of these species will decline leading to the severe
reduction of their population in the near future and ultimately leading to their extinction. Therefore, there is
1
Post graduate student, College of Forestry, Ponnampet, Kodagu.
2
Dean (Forestry), College of Forestry (UAS, B), Ponnampet, Kodagu. Email: nandinap54@rediffmail.com
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XIII World Forestry Congress Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18 – 23 October 2009
an urgent need to assess the natural regeneration and also develop suitable propagation techniques for mass
multip lication of these species.
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XIII World Forestry Congress Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18 – 23 October 2009
References
Bal, J.S., 1997. Fru it growing, Kalyani Publishers, Hyderbad. pp 3-4.
Channegowda. S., Farooqi, A.A., Srinivasappa, K.N. and Vasundhara, M., 2001. Studie on pre -
germination treat ments in natural dye yield ing tree (Caesalpini sappan L.) Indian Journal o f Forestry
24(3): 320-323.
Gadgil, M., 2001. Karnataka state Biodiversity and Action plan. Centre for Eco logical Studies, Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore. pp. 2-3.
Gop iku mar, K., Nazema, K.K. and Abdul Salman, A. 1993. Germination studies in selected tropical tree
species. Journal of Tropical Forestry. 9(2): 110-115.
Hareesh, T.S., 2000. Phenology, regeneration and propagation studies in Ougeinia dalbergioides Benth.
M.Sc. thesis submitted to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.
Hart man, H.R. and Kester, D.F., 1976. Plant propagation principals and practice,. Prentice Hall of India,
New Delhi, pp. 35-60.
Rai S.N., Nagaveni, H.C. and Pad manabha, H.S. 1996. Ger mination in fruits. Advances in Horticu lture,
2(2): 607-625.
Shankaranarayana, R., Vijay ku mar, M. and Rangaswamy, P., 1994. Co w dung for ideal germination in
Tamarind. Indian Horticulture 38: 4-15.
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XIII World Forestry Congress Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18 – 23 October 2009
Tables
Table 1: Natural regeneration status of Carissa inermis, Chrysophyllum roxburghii and Mimusops elengi (
Values indicate number of individuals per plot)
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XIII World Forestry Congress Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18 – 23 October 2009