Phenological studies on Shorea leprosula
2001
Jayanthi, M.M. | Ang, K.C. | Fadzlinah, Z. Forest Research Inst., Kepong 52109, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Forest Plantation Div.)
Shorea leprosula is one of the most common timber species of the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is distributed in peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. This tree species is found best in well-drained soil and from lowlands to hills forest below 700 m. Locally named as Meranti Tembaga, the species is a major timber tree that has significantly contributed to Malaysian's main export. The current concern for sustainability in wood production and genetic conservation has increased the need to protect more of the natural forest and to harvest only on a sustainable basis from the production forest. Thus, timber supply deficits will have to be supplied by plantation forests. From experimental plantings carried out in 1928, seedlings of S.leprosula were found to have grown vigorously. The supply of planting materials is the main drawback of this species when used in enrichment planting and plantation programs. This is due to poor seed availability caused by the gregarious mass fruiting habit where seed crops are produced once every 3 to 8 years. Additionally, S. leprosula seeds are recalcitrant which suffer dessication damage if dried below a relatively high moisture content. Phenological studies had been carried out for the past 20 years on several forest reserves. This paper highlights the results of monthly phenological observations in three forest areas. The observations were compared with the rainfall patterns in the sites. The simple linear regression analysis indicated that flowering is trigerred 3-5 months after the start of the rainy season. These findings could possibly assist in predicting the flowering-fruiting season of S. leprosula and secure its seeds for future planting materials when needed
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