Research at KFRI

KFRI has completed about 600 scientific enquiries pertaining to various aspects of ecology and management of tropical natural and planted forests. Funding and technical collaboration was received from national and international agencies such as Kerala Forest Department, MoEF, DST, DBT, CSIR, National Bamboo Mission, FAO, Ford Foundation, Natural Resources Institute (UK), ACIAR, Aus-AID, IDRC (Canada), ITTO, CSIRO, IDPAD, CIFOR, UNEP, INBAR (China), Mc Arthur Foundation, FORSPA, IPGRI, DFID, Winrock International, UNESCO, British Council, National National Biodiversity Authority etc.

Field and lab research at KFRI has lead to standardisation of propagation techniques, evolving of bio-control of pests and pathogens, productivity improvement, plantation technology etc. as below:

Developed and standardised vegetative and micropropagation techniques for superior selections in teak, eucalypts, bamboo and various medicinal plants. KFRI was the first to standardise a methodology for clonal propagation of teak.
Developed Biological control mechanism for controlling Teak Defoliator using HpNPV and mass production of the virus
DNA mapping and genetic improvement of teak and developing clonal technology for production of improved planting stock of teak
Productivity improvement of Eucalypt plantations through clonal technology, disease resistant provenances and sylvicultural practices.
Standardised fertiliser dosages for teak and eucalypt plantations and assessment and augmentation of micronutrient deficiencies
Preservative/curing treatments for rubber wood bamboos and canes for improved quality value addition and durability
Root-trainer technology, compost media and micro and macro propagation techniques for bamboos, canes, selected medicinal plants and forest trees
Developed plantation technology for more than 15 indigenous tree species, bamboos and rattans