Ailanthus excelsa is a medium density plywood as core veneer
Ailanthus excelsa has maximum veneer recovery (60.95%), minimum veneer shrinkage (4.57%) and medium density of 711 Kg m-3. In addition , it has the modulus of elasticity of 5024 N mm-2, the modulus of rupture of 34.68 N mm-2 and glue shear strength of 1318 N mm-2 .As Ailanthus excelsa wood has shown nearer physical and mechanical properties to the IS 1708 standard, it could be used as medium density plywood as core veneer.
Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) wood could be used as match splint
The splint recovery in Kapok (Ceiba pentandra) in terms of number of splints is 16140 per kg of wood which is within the acceptable range. However the maximum density was 340.50 kg m-3 which is below the IS standard. The low density influences the fissility and breakage of the splints. Hence, Kapok could be used for manufacturing low grade match splint.
ECM fungi (Laccaria and Lycoperdon) as bioinoculant for enhancing the growth of tree seedlings
ECM fungi viz., Laccaria and Lycoperdon associated with the trees of Casuarina and Cassia were isolated using modified Melin-Norkans (MMN) medium. Application of ECM Fungi @ 50 ml/bag has been found to improve the growth of Casuarina seedlings in nursery. Hence, ECM fungi (Laccaria and Lycoperdon) could be used as bioinoculants for enhancing the growth of casuarina seedlings
