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Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.): biology, utilisation, and conservation practices

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Abstract

Key message

Fortified forest management strategies, coupled with in situ and ex situ conservation strategies, are needed for long-term conservation of rare, valuably important Dalbergia latifolia.

Abstract

Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.; Fabaceae) is a highly valued and commercially important tree species. In its global natural habitats, D. latifolia is sparsely distributed. Apart from its uses in furniture, plywood, veneer and carved wood products, it is globally known for its use in the guitar industry. Possessing unique tonal properties and beautiful wood finishing, it is considered an iconic material in the manufacture of guitars. High demand for the wood, coupled with its growing rarity, has resulted in excessive harvest and an illegal trade. In parallel, habitat destruction has led to a rapid decline in its natural populations globally. Today, most of the best trees have already been extracted, and rosewood forests are under severe threat of depletion. Conservationists worldwide are concerned about the fate of rosewood mainly because it takes many decades to grow to a commercially viable size and centuries to reach full maturity. With the increasing rarity of timber, exponentially growing demand for wood, and rampant illegal trade, rosewood prices have soared in the global market. It has thus been listed in Appendix II of CITES from 2016 and categorised as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN. This review provides a comprehensive set of information about the taxonomy, distribution, morphology, pollination and seed biology, regeneration, insect pests and diseases, and wood quality of Indian rosewood. It also discusses trade, alternative species, and conservation options. The natural habitats of D. latifolia need to be more stringently monitored so that appropriate management interventions can be adopted to conserve the genetic resources of this valuable timber species. Since the regeneration status of D. latifolia in forest areas is still unknown, long-term monitoring and an understanding of the factors influencing stand establishment would ensure that this tree species is preserved in natural forests.

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Modified from Rajput et al. (1991)

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Abbreviations

CITES:

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

IUCN:

International Union for the Conservation of Nature

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Acknowledgements

Photographs of leaves and disc were provided by Dr. A.N. Sringeswara, MG Botanical Garden, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru. Photographs of pods and inflorescence were provided by Dr. T.N. Manohara, Scientist, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, Bengaluru. Their contribution is gratefully acknowledged. Photograph of the giant tree is courtesy of Dr. Rekha R Warrier. The authors thank the input, critique, and valuable suggestions made by four anonymous peer reviewers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Silviculture and Forest Management Division, Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Malleswaram, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560 003, India

    A. N. Arunkumar

  2. Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics Division, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, P.B. No. 1061, Forest Campus, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641 002, India

    Rekha Ravindranath Warrier

  3. School of Science, GSFC University, 391750, Vadodara, Gujarat, India

    Mafatlal M. Kher

  4. Independent researcher, P. O. Box 7, Ikenobe 3011-2, Miki–cho, Kagawa–ken, 761-0799, Japan

    Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva

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  1. A. N. Arunkumar
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Correspondence to A. N. Arunkumar, Rekha Ravindranath Warrier, Mafatlal M. Kher or Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva.

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Arunkumar, A.N., Warrier, R.R., Kher, M.M. et al. Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.): biology, utilisation, and conservation practices. Trees 36, 883–898 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00468-021-02243-3

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