TY - BOOK AU - Swathy M Haridas AU - Anoop, E V (Guide) TI - Geographical Indications status for Nilambur Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) U1 - 634.9 PY - 2017/// CY - Vellanikkara PB - Department of Wood Science, College of Forestry KW - Wood Science N1 - MSc N2 - A study on the “Geographical Indications status for Nilambur teak (Tectona grandis L.f)” was carried out in teak plantations of Nilambur and in Central Kerala (Thrissur, Palakkad and Ernakulam) during 2014-2016. The investigation focused on analyzing the potential of securing Geographical indications status for Nilambur teak by exploring the historical importance of Nilambur teak with the help of PRA tool timeline, comparing its wood quality with other National and International provenances and analysing the soil properties and climatic factors that are responsible for the uniqueness of Nilambur teak and to assess the popularity of Nilambur teak among the timber traders. Wood properties of three best teak growing plantations in Nilambur viz., Aryavallikkavu, Elencheri and Kanakuthu were analysed. Growth parameters such as girth at breast height (GBH) and height were taken from the selected trees; also non destructive testing methods (NDT) using Pilodyn (6J) and Tree Sonic Timer (FAKOPP) were used to estimate wood physical and mechanical properties. Heartwood percentage and colour were estimated in the teak discs collected from the selected plantations. No significant variation was found in Pilodyn penetration depth (PPD), Stress wave velocity (SWV), dynamic modulus of elasticity, heartwood percentage and GBH between the three plantations of Nilambur region. Heartwood colour determining components (hue, value and chroma) did not show any significant variation between the sites. In general, there was not much variation in physical and mechanical properties of teak grown in the various sites of Nilambur region. For analyzing soil properties, two soil pits of 1 m * 1 m* 1 m were dug from each of these plantations. Soil samples were collected from 0-20, 21-40, 41-60, 61-80 and 81-100 cm depths. The soil texture was sandy loam in all the sites and at different depths of soils in the selected teak plantations. Soil pH ranged from 6.05 to 4.79 from top to bottom layer indicating moderate acidity which measured with soil depth in teak plantations. The bulk density values were generally higher in the deeper layers of the soil. The mean bulk density values were in the range 1.0 to 1.92 g/cm3. Soil N, P, K content was lower in all the three sites compared to natural forests. Organic carbon content varied from 1.83 to 0.25 per cent with depth. Popularity and reputation of Nilambur teak among the traders studied through a questionnaire survey in sawmills of Thrissur, Palakkad and Ernakulam revealed that Nilambur teak has a high reputation among sawmill owners. Among teak woods available in the timber market of Central Kerala, Nilambur teak fetches high market prices per cubic feet. It is concluded that Nilambur teak has good potential for securing Geographical Indications status owing to its historical importance, good reputation, excellent colour, higher heartwood percentage and better strength properties UR - http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810141465 ER -