2.08.02 - Improvement and culture of nitrogen-fixing trees
Unit 2.08.02
UNIT NOTICEBOARD
Hot off the Press: Proceedings from Casuarina Workshop
Sixth International Casuarina Workshop: Casuarinas for green economy and environmental sustainability;
Krabi, Thailand; 21-25 October 2019.
Units involved: 2.08.02, Task Force Forest Biomass Network.
The substantial socio-economic importance of casuarinas (several members of the family Casuarinaceae) has ensured ongoing international interest in research and development of this group of nitrogen fixing trees. Plantings are invariably associated with agricultural systems and there are more than two million hectares planted in the tropics and sub-tropics, offering stability to fragile sandy coastal ecosystems and offering services of protection, soil organic matter, poles, fuelwood and commercial wood fibre.
Following the previous five international casuarina meetings, the most recent one in Chennai, India in 2014, Kasetsart University hosted the Sixth International Casuarina Workshop in Krabi province, Thailand during 21-25 October 2019 in collaboration with the IUFRO Working Party 2.08.02 – Improvement and Culture of Nitrogen Fixing Trees, and the IUFRO Taskforce – Forest Biomass Network. The theme of this sixth workshop, Casuarinas for Green Economy and Environmental Sustainability, reflects in the current relevance of casuarina trees in the world.
To be downloaded from: https://www.iufro.org/fileadmin/material/publications/proceedings-archive/20802-t30-bangkok19.pdf
Abel Nicodemus, India
Claudine Franche, France
Chonglu Zhong, China
About Unit
Working Party 2.08.02 is interested in research on nitrogen-fixing genera, particularly those that are suitable for soil stabilization, wind protection, for use on poor soils, wetlands and in dry regions. Research interests include the biology of nitrogen fixation and optimization of growth and adaptability utilizing this property in domesticated species. Many species are multipurpose and important for farm forestry, agroforestry, pulpwood, firewood and charcoal and other products such as fodder for animals. Improvement strategies include propagation strategies, selection for pest resistance, disease resistance, and multiple traits, combined with appropriate silvicultural methods.
Find more details about the Unit here.