Growth performance of some dipterocarps and non-dipterocarps planted from rooted cuttings
Aminah, H., Besek Intan Zafina Basok., Rosdi, K., Rozihawati, Z., Ahmad Fauzi, M. S. & Hamzah, M.
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, 52109, Kuala Lumpur
Telephone: 03-62797124, Fax: 03- 62804614, email:aminah@frim.gov.my
Abstract
The planting stocks raised from rooted stem cuttings of two Dipterocarp and five non-Dipterocarp species were planted in Field 48, Bukit Hari, Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia. Seven years after planting, the survival of Dipterocarp species planted were 87% for Hopea odorata and 95% for Dipterocarpus chartaceus. Mean annual height increment (hMAI) of H. odorata was higher (106 cmy-1) than D. chartaceus (78 cmy-1). The mean annual diameter increment (dMAI) of H. odorata was 1.4 cmy-1. The diameter increment for D. chartaceus is not yet available due to the slow growth of this species. For the non-dipterocarps, Khaya ivorensis had the highest survival rate (88%) followed by Endospermum diadenum (71%), Azadirachta excelsa (49%), Pouteria malaccensis (28%) and Dyera costulata (20%). In terms of hMAI, K. ivorensis had the highest increment (269 cmy-1), followed by E. diadenum (262 cmy-1), A. excelsa (148 cmy-1), P. malaccensis (141 cmy-1) and D. costulata (137 cmy-1). The dMAI for E. diadenum and K. ivorensis were higher (2.6 and 2.3 cmy-1 respectively) compared to those of P. malaccensis, D. costulata and A. excelsa which ranged from 1.2 to 1.8 cmy-1). The results showed that the planting stocks raised from rooted cuttings can be used as an alternative planting material for plantation.
Key words: Tropical forest species, height, diameter, rooted cuttings
Introduction
The success of any reforestation programme greatly depends on adequate supply of planting stocks which are mostly raised from seeds. The dependence on seeds alone as source of planting materials is sometimes inadequate especially with the species which do not have regular supply of seeds. To overcome this problem, experiments have been conducted to raise planting stocks through stem cuttings. To date several species have been successfully propagated by this technique (Aminah 1996, Dick and Aminah 1994). However, very few studies have reported the growth performance of the rooted cuttings after being planted in the field. The anchorage stability of the trees planted from rooted cuttings is often being questioned because of the absence of a tap root system. Therefore the objective of this study was to observe the growth performance and the suitability of the species raised from rooted cuttings to be planted in plantation.
Materials and methods
The stem cuttings of two Dipterocarp species (Hopea odorata and Dipterocarpus chartaceus) and five non-dipterocarps (Khaya ivorensis, Endospermum diadenum, Azadirachta excelsa, Dyera costulata and Pouteria malaccensis) were rooted as described by Aminah (1996). The rooted cuttings were then raised in the nursery as potted planting stocks. These plants were then planted in 1998 at Field 48, Bukit Hari, Bukit Lagong Forest Reserve, Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia. The area is located at latitude 3o 14’ N and longitude 101o 38’ E. The mean daily temperature ranges from 27 to 30oC and the annual rainfall is between 2000 to 2500 mm. The area is undulating terrain and it is situated at 105 m asl. The soil is reddish loam with good drainage, has underlying rock and granite, it is classified as Palaeudult (Rengam series) (Wyatt-Smith 1963). The former vegetation consisted of pure stands of Pinus caribaea which were clear felled followed by semi-mechanical preparation of the site. The planting stocks were planted at an initial spacing of 3m x 3m. They were fertilised with NPK Blue (12N:12P2O5:17K2O:2Mg + Trace elements) for one year at the rate of 100 g/plant every three months. The periodical annual height/diameter increment was calculated using the equation below (i.e. the difference between the height/diameter measured at the beginning and at the end of the period, divided by the number of days in the period):
Source:8th Round-Table Conference on Dipterocarps
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