Field testing of rooted dipterocarp cuttings

The survival of rooted dipterocarp seedlings was determined in the field. Three species namely, white lauan (Shorea contorta), mayapis (S. palosapis), and manggasinoro (S. assamica) were studied. Findings showed that for white lauan and mayapis, survival for the unmulched plots were much higher than the mulched plots: 94.44% and 90.83%, and 94.44% and 83.33%, respectively. For manggasinoro, however, survival for the mulched plots (97.50%) was slightly higher than the unmulched plots (97.22%). Height increment for the unmulched plots was higher than the mulched plots. For mayapis, height increment (22.02 cm) for unmulched plots was higher than the mulched plots (37.65 cm). For manggasinoro, height increment for the unmulched plots (18.26 cm) was lower than the mulched plots (22.02 cm). Increase in diameter for all the species was higher in mulched plots than the unmulched plots. After two years from planting, planted dipterocarp-rooted seedlings showed growth very similar to planting materials coming from seeds. However, mulching as a treatment did not affect the growth of the planted rooted seedlings. After three years and three months from planting, rooted cuttings of white lauan recorded an average of 241.26 cm total height. The average total height of mayapis was 138.38 cm. For manggasinoro, the average height was 94.88 cm. The dismally slow growth of this species was attributed to rosetting, the development of several branches with no apparent leader shoots. Moreover, there were appendages growing around the stem. After four years, root development of rooted cuttings was examined. There were several roots that emanated from the stem. Some were horizontally or obliquely oriented, while others were vertically growing. The vertical growing roots were considered as pseudo-tap root, while the horizontal and oblique roots as were considered secondary, including those that grow from the pseudo-tap roots. This is differentiated from the tap root of the normal seedlings, being the direct extension of the stem. Field-planted rooted cuttings had shorter vertical growing roots compared to wildlings. Planting of rooted cutting is only advisable in areas with no pronounced dry season to cushion its short tap root