Recent Developments in Casuarina Research

1990

20 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

9087

200085919

In the last IUFRO Congress, the research in Casuarina in the 1975-1985 decade was summarized by the author. The past five years have witnessed a worldwide exponential increase in Casuarina research programs. This paper is intended to review recent research results with particular reference to Egypt. Most of the research has concentrated on symbiosis and N-fixation especially after certain Frankia strains were isolated and their in vitro preparations are made available. The contribution of Casuarina to soil fertility gained considerable interest especially in relation to agroforestry systems and reforestation of degraded lands. The exploration of intraspecific genetic variation has progressed through provenances trials in Egypt, U.S.A., and China. Tolerance to environmental stresses has also received a lot of attention especially in relation to screening for salt tolerance and the mechanism(s) involved. Wood properties and utilization have been also under investigation. A summary of papers presented at the Second International Casuarina Workshop held in Cairo (January 1990) will be presented along with recommendations for future research programmes.