Commercial Clonal Propagation of Eucalyptus through Rooting of Cuttings - an Achievement of Forest Organization, JK Paper Limited

Abstract

JK Paper Limited has started a Research and Development Unit under Forest Organization in the year 1991 to improving productivity and profitability of plantation. JK Super clones developed by this organization and showing 3-5 times more volume than the seed route plantations. Productivity of Eucalyptus has been achieved through rooting of cuttings. Forest Organization of JKPL has developed cloning on a commercial scale and great care and attention was given to the selection and propagation of superior trees, both for improvement programme and also from the already established commercial plantations. The clonal forests obtained from that period onwards provided significant improvements in wood productivity, uniformity and quality, and also gave a distinct competitive edge in the wood market. This paper deals strategy and achievement of Forest Organization on development and commercial deployment of high yielding fast growing and disease resistance clones of Eucalyptus and the promotion of technology-based clonal farm forestry plantations in India particularly Orissa, Andhra Pradesh (North), Chandigarh, and Gujarat.