Planting dipterocarp species for forest plantations : is it viable?
2000
Siti Hasanah M.S. | Krishnapillay, B. | Marzalina M. | Fadzlinah Z. | Nashatul Z.N.A. | Ang, K.C. | Zaiton S. | Hamsinah H.,
The Dipterocarpaceae has long been accepted as the main family producing valuable timber of medium to hard density. Such timbers were once considered to be Malaysia`s main export. However, 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 productive forest. The timber supply deficits thus created will have to be supplemented through plantation forests. Because of poor seed availability caused by the gregarious mass fruiting habit that produce crops only once every 3-7 years, dipterocarp species tend to be of low priority for selection for forestry plantation programs. Adding to these difficulties, most species produce seeds that are recalcitrant, and which suffer desiccation damage if dried below a relatively high moisture content. Such seeds cannot be stored for long periods, therefore. This paper highlights the results of monthly phenological observations in selected forest areas, as well as dipterocarp seed storage studies, conducted over the last 10 years by the Seed Technology Section at FRIM. To maintain a continuous seed suply, collection efforts should be concentrated in seed production areas during mass fruiting years, but should occur also in all phenological observation areas during the off season periods when some trees tend to flower and fruit sporadically. Current research advances in prolonging seed viability after collection, and during transportation, will be discussed. Wide differences between species in levels of critical moisture content at which viability is lost, were observed. This could be due to the stage of maturity, seed size and structure. Most seeds could be stored for less than two weeks. Several methods for obtaining continuous supplies of planting material are discussed.
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