Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources Nauni,Solan (HP)

Dr HP Sankhyan Professor & Head

The Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources has a fairly long history with its roots in the Research Division of the State Forest Department, which was transferred to the then Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla during December, 1971 so that the research work could be done in the academic environment. In December 1985, with the establishment of the Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan it became one of the departments of the College of Forestry to look after the teaching, research and extension activities on tree improvement and related aspects. The research funding is mainly through externally funded research projects on tree improvement through Government agencies, viz., DST, DRDA, PPVFRA, HP Government and G B pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED).

Department has published more than 100 research papers in last five years, 10 book chapters, 10 text books, 10 technical bulletins, 06 practical manuals in leading national and international journals, and about 10 extension publications for technology dissemination to farmers and entrepreneurs. Department in its journey of over 37 years has been able to generate useful human resources for the country in the form of 111 M.Sc. and 51 Ph.D. students.

Mandate

  • Introduction and evaluation of fast growing exotic forest tree species.
  • Genetic improvement of Himalayan hardwoods and softwoods and bamboos.
  • Develop suitable strains of agroforestry trees and promising clones/varieties of different tree species through molecular and traditional breeding.

Strengths

  • Modern laboratory facilities for genetic diversity analysis of different forest tree species through latest techniques based on molecular analysis, laboratory analysis, etc.
  • Three DUS Centers in the Department on Poplar, Willow and Seabuckthorn for testing of farmer’s varieties. DUS guidelines of these species have already been developed by the Department.
  • High nutritive selections of fodder tree species such as Grewia optiva (Beul), Bauhinia variegata (Kachnar) and Morus spp. (Shehtoot).
  • Germplasm Banks of important species like Willow, Poplar, Morus and Bamboo have been established.
  • Hybrids of important tree species having high industrial value such as Poplars (Populus), Willows (Salix), Shehtoot (Morus), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata), Daru (Punica granatum), etc. have been developed.
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Academics

The Department offers degree programmes

  • MSc. (Forestry) Forest Biology and Tree Improvement
  • Ph.D. (Forestry) Forest Biology and Tree Improvement

Academics Achievements

  • Six (Mr. Sumit Nangla, Mr. Mast Ram Negi, Mr. Rajender Kumar, Ms. Gauri Rawale, Mr. Saurav Mahapatra and Sugandhi Chauhan) students have qualified ICAR- NET Examination since 2019.
  • More than 90 percent of passed out students are serving in various capacities in National and International Research Institutions, Central and State universities, State Governments, Private Companies, National and Private banks etc. senior and middle level executive positions.
  • Ms. Shushmita Thakur, pursuing her Ph.D. has secured INSPIRE Fellowship Ifrom the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India as notified in July, 2023.

    • Click here for course details

Research

Thrust Areas

  • Development of promising clones/varieties of different tree species through molecular and traditional breeding methods (Selection, Hybridization, etc.).
  • Ecological status of threatened species is studied to find out their current regeneration status as well as associated species for making efficient conservation strategies.
  • To standardize the cultivation practices for different forest tree species viz. fodder, wild fruits, short rotation species, etc.
  • To study the floral biology of different tree species for better understanding of different breeding systems.
  • Development of Germplasm Bank and Seed Orchards of different tree species for future research purpose.
  • Establishment of Clonal Bank (Nursery) and Development of DUS specific Characterization of Willow Germplasm funded by Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority, New Delhi (Long term).
  • Establishment of Clonal Bank (Nursery) and Development of DUS specific Characterization of Poplar Germplasm funded by Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority, New Delhi (Long term).
  • Establishment of Gene Bank, Characterization and Validation of DUS Characteristics of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) in Cold Deserts of Himachal Pradesh funded by Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority, New Delhi (Long term).
  • Ecological Restoration of Nachan Forest Division of District Mandi Himachal Pradesh through Introduction and Plantation of Genetically Superior Willow Clones funded by Himachal Pradesh Government (2022 to 2024).
  • Revolving Fund Scheme of the Department (Willows and Promising Tree Species) funded by Dr. Y S Parmar UHF, Nauni, Solan (HP) ( Long term).
  • Production Technologies have been standardized for different species like Willow, Poplar, Grewia, etc.
  • Germplasm Banks of important species like Willow, Poplar, Morus and Bamboo have been established.
  • Seed Orchards of different species are established in the Departmental fields such as Grewia optiva and Bauhinia variegata (Seedling as well as Clonal Seed Orchards).
  • High nutritive selections of fodder tree species such as Grewia optiva (19 selections with Crude Protein content of more than 25%), Bauhinia variegata (23 selections with Crude Protein content up to 21%), Morus spp. (21 selections with Crude Protein up to 19%).
  • Hybrids of commercially important tree species having high industrial value such as Poplars (Populus spp.), Willows (Salix spp.), Shehtoot (Morus spp.), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata), Daru (Punica granatum), etc. have been developed and all hybrids are under testing in the Field Trials raised in Departmental Farms.
  • Department has recommended different clones/selections/hybrids of Populus ciliata, Populus deltoides, Salix spp., Grewia optiva and Bauhinia variegata with respect to the altitudinal ranges of Himachal Pradesh.
  • Production of quality planting material of different fodder species, wild fruits as well as other commercially important short rotation species such as Willows and Poplars in the departmental nursery for stakeholders of the state.
  • Three DUS Centers are established in the Department on Poplar, Willow and Seabuckthorn for testing of farmer’s varieties for further registration. Department has already developed DUS guidelines of these three commercially important species of the state.
  • Ecological status of different species is regularly studied for threatened species to find out their current regeneration status as well as associated species. The species on which, the same work has been conducted includes Ulmus wallichiana, Acer oblongum, Pinus gerardiana, Ulmus villosa, Taxus wallichiana, Eleaegnus umbellate, Pinus roxburghii, Betula utilis, etc.

Extension Activities

To disseminate the technology to the users like State Forest Department, NGOs, farmers and other stakeholders through different communication means for better adoption in the field.
  • About six hands-on-trainings have been organized for various Range Forest Officers of the State Forest Department, farmers, Nursery growers and other stakeholders.
  • Scientists have conducted more than 15 Exposure visits of UG Students of various Universities the departmental nurseries.
  • Scientists have delivered more than 20 Radio/Television talks and lectures focusing on propagation and improvement techniques of different tree species grown by the farmers.
  • More than 10 extension publications have been published in last five years for the dissemination of technology to the farmers.

Awards/Recognitions

  • Dr. H.P. Sankhyan awarded Certificate of Appreciation by Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, on its 34th Foundation day and was awarded Outstanding Achievement Award – 2019 by The Society of Tropical Agriculture, New Delhi, India in its 9th International Conference on Agriculture, Horticulture and Plant Science held in Dharamshala. Dr H.P Sankhyan has also been conferred the Prestigious “Adarsh Vidya Saraswati Rashtriya Puraskar” by Global Management Council, Glacier Journal Research Foundation on 17th Day of March, 2021 as National Award of Excellence 2021.

Facilities

    Infrastructural Facilities include following research and other facilities:
  • Research Laboratories including Molecular Genetics Lab, UG Lab and Forest Ecology lab
  • computer lab cum library room Experimental farms/ Research Areas

Gallery

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