Termites harmful to botanic species, finds JU study
JU Correspondent | Sunday, 17 April 2011
JU Correspondent
JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Apr 16: The Entomology branch of Zoology Department of Jahangirnagar University (JU) has spotted that many species of termites damage the trees of dry forested area in the county recently. Kabirul Bashar, Assistant Professor of Zoology Department researched by examining 3253 trees of 33 species and among them 49.03 per cent were found to be attacked at the bark level and 25.88 per cent were damaged beneath the bark level. The highest internal and alarming attack was recorded with coconut, teak and shishu tree, he added. Around seven species of trees were found unaffected in the study are Chalta, Guava, Arjun, Kerosene, Rose Chestnut, Milkwood Pine and Queen's Flower trees. Including Botanical Garden of JU campus the study was conducted in December 2009 and January 2010 at eight forest areas selected randomly, sources said. Kabirul Bashar said adding that there are ten species of harmful termites in Bangladesh and they affect the trees in the dry season. Highly affected species of trees are star fruit, coconut, chapalish, bastard myrobalan, black myrobalan, rain tree, fir tree, sal, teak, white teak and kadam. The study discouraged the plantation of susceptible species for further forestation and encouraged the plantation of less affected trees.
JAHANGIRNAGAR UNIVERSITY, Apr 16: The Entomology branch of Zoology Department of Jahangirnagar University (JU) has spotted that many species of termites damage the trees of dry forested area in the county recently. Kabirul Bashar, Assistant Professor of Zoology Department researched by examining 3253 trees of 33 species and among them 49.03 per cent were found to be attacked at the bark level and 25.88 per cent were damaged beneath the bark level. The highest internal and alarming attack was recorded with coconut, teak and shishu tree, he added. Around seven species of trees were found unaffected in the study are Chalta, Guava, Arjun, Kerosene, Rose Chestnut, Milkwood Pine and Queen's Flower trees. Including Botanical Garden of JU campus the study was conducted in December 2009 and January 2010 at eight forest areas selected randomly, sources said. Kabirul Bashar said adding that there are ten species of harmful termites in Bangladesh and they affect the trees in the dry season. Highly affected species of trees are star fruit, coconut, chapalish, bastard myrobalan, black myrobalan, rain tree, fir tree, sal, teak, white teak and kadam. The study discouraged the plantation of susceptible species for further forestation and encouraged the plantation of less affected trees.