The Division conducts fundamental and applied research in sustainable management of natural and plantation forests. It comprises Silviculture, Tree Physiology and Soil Science disciplines. Thrust areas of research of the Division are improved nursery and silvicultural practices, production of better clones of plantation species and sustainable forest management based on scientific water and soil studies.
Development of cost-effective micropropagation protocols for important forestry species, quality planting stock production and nursery practices of forestry species, eco-restoration and afforestation of degraded sites, evaluation of factors affecting growth and enhancement of plantation productivity, soil nutrient management for teak, eucalypt and bamboo plantations/nurseries, vegetative propagation of bamboo, teak, eucalypts and medicinal plants, resource enhancement, and scientific management of existing resources and transfer of technology for value added utilization of bamboos and environmental physiology, especially, water use, photosynthesis and microclimate are some of the major areas of activities of the Division.
Water and light use characteristics of different strata of tropical moist deciduous forests.
Potential of coir geo-textlles in improving soil productivity in degraded areas.
Water use of Eucalyptus plantations.
Livelihood improvement of marginal bamboo dependants.
Evaluation of residual soil nutrients in teak plantations.
Potting media for root-trainer teak seedlings.
Nursery and plantation technology for mahagony with reference to soil, nutrition and shoot-borer incidence.
Dr. RC Pandalai
Dr. UN Nandakumar
Shri. PK Chandrasekhara Pillai
Mr. VP Raveendran
Dr. Thomas P Thomas
Dr. MP Sujatha
Dr. KK Seethalakshmy
Dr. T Surendran