Advancement of science for the sustainable utilization and conservation of forest genetic resources of falcata (Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby and J.W. Grimes) and Yemane (Gmelina arborea Roxb.)

The three-year project was conducted primarily to build the level of understanding and techniques on the best use of available genetic base of key plantations species, Falcataria moluccana (Miq.) Barneby and J.W. Grimes, and Gmelina arborea Roxb., in order to achieve a 30% increase in yield from plantations from the current 2013 yield which is approximately 60 cu m/ha. FGR materials of the two species were collected all over the country. Seeds from total of 133 mother trees (MTs) of falcata and 166 mother trees of gmelina were collected during the first year of the project and placed in the field trials. The two partner institutions-the Cedntral Mindanao University and the Isabela State University raised the seedlings in the nursery in the second year ane eventually established the field trials (FT) prior to the third-year operation of the project. The gmelina FTs were established in Cabagan and Echague, Isabela, Falcata FTs were established in CMU, Maramag, Bukidnon, Baliangao, Misamis Oriental [Philippines]. An incomplete block design was used to lay-out the seedling of the various mother trees (MTs) in the FTs. Survival, height and diameter were assessed in the FTs. Additinal information of the pest and disease resistance were noted. Leaf samples from a total of 330 trees of G. arborea and 363 trees of F. moluccana from various stands/plantations in the country were collected for molecular genetic characterization. Selected mother tree in each species used in the establishment of field trials were included in the genetic analysis. DNA extraction and marker amplifications were conducted. Based on the Bayesian and model-based clustering analysis implemented in STRUCTURE analysis the genetic structure was evaluated using the multilocus genotypes of each individual. The model assumes the presence of ancestral genetic cluster (K), which the number may ne unknown, and by Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations individual multi-locus genotypes are assigned probabilistically to pre-determined values of K. Various trainings on tree improvement, forest genetics, seed and nursery technologies and field trials establishment and management wre carried out with the partner institutions (CMU and ISU). A total of 12 ha of FTs were established by the project 2, hectares more of the 10 ha initially targeted by the project 4 ha for gmelina by ISU and 6 ha for falcata by CMU. The gmelina FTs were established in Cabagan and Echague, Isabela while the falcata FTs were established in Cabagan and Echague, Isabela whiule the falcata FTs were established in Central Mindanao University in Maramag, Bukidnon, Baliangao, Misamis Occidental, Buda, Marilog District, Davao City, and Talisayan, Misamis Oriental. The two gmelina FTs were both hit by the two consecutive typhoons in 2016, which has adversely affected survival and growth forms. The Echegue FT has the following results: survival is still quite high for many seedlings but was not as high for many MTs cpmpared to the MTs in Cabangan. The falcata seedlings from the various MTs planted at the CMU FT have exhibited excellent survival rates after one year. For the Baliangao Misamis Occidental, survival percent at 65%. Survival and growth forms gmelina seedlings have been significantly affected by the two typhoons that directly crossed Northern Luzon, i.e. Typhoon Karen and Typhoon Lawin. The falcata FTs at this stage has has not provided very consistent information on the top performing MTs, but has been shown that better growth performance (e.g. height and diameter) could be obtained when the FGR is marched to particular sites. No consistent mother three for either species scored high in the parameters so far evaluated. This would indicate the need for further observations to elicit the true difference between the mother trees and allow at the best performing mother trees to exhibit their genetic potentials. In terms of genetic diversity, there was notable decrease of 20 to 30 percent in G. arborea in the sampled stands compared to the natural populations of the species as assessed by a previous study, although modest divergence was found among genetic clusters. Genetic diversity is the backbone of plantation forestry and forest restoration tree improvement programs. Without the diverse FGRs, it is impossible to proceed with any tree improvement program. For three years, the project was able to hold nine trainings sessions on various aspects of silviculture, tree improvement and genetics. A total of 302 trainees have undergone these various trainings which is general aimed to capacitate would-be researchers in tree improvement.