Forest Biology & Tree Improvement
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Forest Biology & Tree Improvement
Tree Breeding and Improvement are attracting considerable attention in the country, primarily to increase productivity levels, shorten rotations, and preserve genetic resources. Tremendous pressure on forest and its produces resulting in a complete imbalance between supply and demand which urge creation and execution of a more efficient Agroforestry initiatives by utilizing both conventional and contemporary methods of breeding and biotechnology. In light of this, The department of Forest Biology & Tree Improvement (FBT) was established in the College of Forestry with the primary goals to provide education & research on Forest Genetic Resources, Tree Improvement and Forest Plant Tissue Culture, Biotechnology at UG, PG and Ph.D. levels, M.Sc. (Forestry) FBT with a focus on Forest Genetic Resources and Forest Biotechnology began in the year 2017. The PG degree programme; M.Sc. (Forestry) in Forest Biology & Tree Improvement was started in the academic session 2021-22. The department reveals laboratory specializing in Tree Improvement, Plant Tissue Culture and Molecular Biology (under Central Laboratory Facility, BUAT, Banda). In addition to education, this department is dedicated to providing farmers with new technology and enhanced propagation materials via research.
Vision
To emerge as a global centre of excellence in teaching, research and extension in agriculture and allied sciences in the country to ensure sustained healthy food, nutrition and livelihood security.
Mission
The university is committed to the cause of Indian agriculture through its quality teaching, demand-driven and location-specific research and extension programmes in the light of dynamism of socio-economic and agro ecological conditions, management perceptions, international trade scenarios and government policies.
Objectives
- To deliver and uphold high-quality education, along with research opportunities, for students pursuing advanced studies in tree breeding to enhance knowledge in the field, creating high-yielding varieties in commercial tree species to address the increasing demands of wood-based industries.
- To structure instruction in Tree breeding aimed at equipping personnel with professional skills.
- To issue books, monographs, journals, and research articles for the benefit of academic and breeding professionals.
- To organize lectures, seminars, and other events for the advantage of students, educators, outreach personnel, and development managers.
- To work together with the activities of all department faculties to jointly achieve the university objectives.
Courses at UG level offered by department
| Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|
| Forest Plant Biology | 2+1 |
| Tree Seed and Nursery Technology | 2+1 |
| Fundamental of Forest Genetics | 1+1 |
| Tree Physiology | 1+1 |
| Tree Improvement | 2+0 |
| Forest Biotechnology | 2+1 |
| Elective course - High Yielding Short Rotation (HYSR) Forestry | |
| Applied Tree Improvement | 2+1 |
| Reproduction biology of tree crops | 2+1 |
| Biometrical genetics in tree breeding | 1+1 |
| Marker assisted breeding in forestry | 2+1 |
| Tissue culture application in forestry | 2+1 |
| Controlled breeding in tree crops | 0+2 |
| Tree seed orchards | 2+1 |
| Forest genetic resources | 2+0 |
| Clonal Forestry | 1+1 |
| Plant Biochemistry | 1+1 |
| Research Methodology | 1+1 |
| Statistical Packages for Data Analysis | 0+1 |
| Internship with tree breeding and biotechnology-based institutions/industries | 0+2 |
Courses at PG level offered by department
| Course No. | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FOR 505 | Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation | 2+1 |
| FOR 509 | Tree Improvement | 1+1 |
| FGR 521 | Breeding Methods in Forest Trees | 2+1 |
| FGR 522 | Reproductive Biology of Forest Tree | 2+1 |
| FGR 523 | Tree Seed Orchard | 2+1 |
| FGR 524 | Quantitative Genetics in Tree Breeding | 3+0 |
| FGR 525 | Forest Genetic Diversity and Conservation | 3+0 |
| FB 522 | Plant Tissue Culture | 2+1 |
| FOR 602 | Advances in Tree Improvement | 2+1 |
| FGR 621 | Advances in Tree Breeding | 1+1 |
| FGR 622 | Advances in Quantitative Forest Genetics | 2+1 |
| FGR 623 | Forest Reproductive Biology | 2+1 |
| FGR 624 | Molecular Genetics of Forest Trees | 2+1 |
| FGR 625 | Genetics of Forest Ecosystems | 2+0 |
| FB 621 | Advances in Forest Biotechnology | 2+1 |
| FB 621 | Molecular Genetics and Gene Mapping in Forest Trees | 2+1 |
| FB 621 | Molecular Biochemistry | 2+1 |
| FB 621 | Tree Physiology and Forest Productivity | 2+1 |
| FB 621 | Genetic Engineering and Bioinformatics | 2+1 |
Thrust Area of Research
- Survey, collection, characterization and conservation of economically important forest spp.
- Propagation of forest flora through conventional as well as non- conventional approaches i.e. PTC Technology.
- Development of seed orchard and seed production areas for the fulfilment of requirement of quality seeds.
- Characterizations of rare and endangered native /indigenous Forest tree species and their conservation.
Students’ Placement: PhD programme
| S.L. No. | Name of Students | ID | Placement Details | Major Advisor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr. Sandeep Sahu | 1750 | Self employed | Dr. G.S Panwar |
| 2 | Ms. Sweta Gupta | 1759 | Selected as Guest faculty in CSAUA&T, Kanpur | Dr Narendra Singh |
| 3 | Ms. Aanchal Singh | 2074 | Assistant professor, IFTM, Muradabad | Dr Narendra Singh |
| 4 | Mr. Monu Kumar | 2073 | Selected as Guest faculty in P.K. University, Jhansi | Dr. Dinesh Sah |
Research Activities
The main research emphasis of the Department are in the fields of genetic improvement, assessment of genetic diversity using conventional as well as non-conventional, studies on reproductive biology, DNA fingerprinting and gene flow. Some of our major activities are:
- Establishment of Bambusetum at BUAT, Banda
- Establishment of Arboretum at BUAT, Banda
- Establishment of Chandan Vatika at BUAT, Banda
- Establishment of germplasm of Red Sander (P. santalinus)
- Collaboration with Other Institutions/Departments
- Establishment of In Vitro Laboratory facility
Completed Projects
- Improvement of chironji (Buchanania lanzan Spreng) through selection from existing germplasm resources. Under UPCAR (Funded by UPCAR). Co-PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari
- High tech production System for quality diseases free seed rhizomes of ginger. (Funded by DASD, MoA&FW, GoI). PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari
- Multilevel employment generation through integrated farming system for sustainable livelihood in Bundelkhand region under NABARD. (Funded by NABARD). Co-PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari
- Establishment of Central Lab facility at BUAT, Banda. (Funded by RKVY, DARE, Govt. of UP). Co-PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari
- Socio-economic upliftment of tribal population of Bundelkhand region through agricultural interventions. (Funded by RKVY, DARE, Govt. of UP). Co-PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari
On-going Projects
- Production of Quality Planting Materials (QPMs) of economically important forestry species for promotion of Agroforestry practices in Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh (Funded by RKVY-Agroforestry). PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari; Co-PI- Dr. Avanish Sharma
- Molecular Screening and in vitro propagation of economically important forest tree Mahua (Madhuca longifolia). (Funded by BUAT, Banda; in-house) Co-PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari
- Establishment of Botanical Garden at BUAT, Banda. (Funded by BUAT, Banda; in-house) Co-PI- Dr. Chandrakant Tiwari
Strengths
- Modern laboratory facilities for biotechnological interventions of different forest tree species through latest techniques based on molecular analysis, laboratory analysis, etc.
- Regional Field Gene Bank of important tree species of Vindhyam region, Santalum album, Pterocarpus santalinus and Bamboo has been established for Conservation of the indigenous Tree and woody plant biodiversity of Vindhyan range, to develop a practical understanding of the Plant Genetic Resources among stakeholders and the interface between genebanks and breeders and to develop regimes concerning access to and exchange of Tree genetic resources as per National and International Policies.
- Hi-Tech nursery facility to nurture quality planting materials of ex- vitro and in- vitro raised plantlets.
- Training cum Seminar Hall with modern audio-visual devices for the capacity building of stakeholders.
