(a) Root rot disease

1. Caused by Poliporus shoreae.

2. It is capable of infecting healthy and uninjured root. It occurs on sal throughout its range of distribution but damage is significant in high rainfall areas.

3. They attack first at the distal end and progress up to the collar region.

4. The infection goes from disease trees to healthy trees by root grafting.

Symptoms

1. Tree start becoming top dry and completely dry later.

2. Uprooted by wind.

3. Tree may put forth epicormic branches.

Signs

1. Funnel shaped soft sphorophore/basidiocarp may be formed on the exposed root part or on the base.

Control measures

1. Control burning on wet sal forest.

2. Moisture should be reduced.

3. Dead, decayed and damaged trees should be removed.

4. Trench can be prepared in effective site.

5. Contour burning.

(b) Heart rot disease

1. Caused by Hymenochaete rubiginosa.

2. It attacks the trees through wound caused by fire and is reported to account for about 50% of the total decay due to all causes in Sal.

3. Incipient decay is characterized by a dark brown decolouration of the heart wood.

4. Initially it causes heart rot in stem but later extends to main roots as well.

5. Causes due to the forest fire, frost in coppice Sal forest.

Symptoms:

1. branch/stem swelling

2. wood discolouration.

3. Crown thinning

4. Start punk knotting & wounds.

5. Wood becoming white & decaying.

6. Sessile, corky & dark brown sporophore are seen.

Control measures

- Applying shelter wood system in frosty localities

- Forest fire can be minimised by controlled burning.

- Applying stool, to check from further coppicing where seedling crop is established.