Abstract

Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) initiated a project on genetic diversity and conservation of certain species of rattans in Andaman and Nicobar islands and Sourthern India with the financial support from IPGRI. The main objectives are to study the phenotypic and genotypic variations within the species, to study reproductive biology and to conduct cytological studies in different populations. The project was initiated in May 1995. The observations made so far for six months are presented here