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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

Assessment of Species and Provenance Trials at AN ZAP (The ASEAN-New Zealand Afforestation Project) in Tarlac, Philippines

(Thailand), Doctor of Philosophy in Forestry (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Dissertation Abstract:

 

A species trial and three provenance trials of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia mangium, and Gmelina arborea established at the ANZAP (The ASEAN-New Zealand Afforestation Project) in Tarlac, Philippines Philippines were assessed from April to June 1994. The study sought to determine the performance of the trees in terms of survival, diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, merchantable height, crown length, crown diameter, stem straightness, persistence of the main stem, branch size, health condition, and merchantable volume. The best species/provenance of each trial was also determined.

The species trials (7 species) were established in 1980 using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. E. camaldulensis (7 provenances) and A. mangium (10 provenances) provenance trials were established in 1985, while G. arborea (10 provenances) was established in 1986. These three provenance trials were laid out in RCBD with five replications. These experiments were monitored, adequately maintained, and assessed by ANZAP until 1987 only owing to financial constraints.

In this study, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether or not the different species or provenances in each trial were significantly different from each other in tenns of the different performance indicators. When necessary, subsequent comparisons of means were done us ing Duncan 's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The total score in all performance indicators was used to determine the best species/provenance in each trial.

In the species trial, there were s ignificant differences among the species in all performance indicators except in crown length and diameter. Agoho (Casuarinu equisetifolia) exhibi ted the best performance in total height (15.94 m), merchantable height (10.091 m), crown length (8 .27 m), stem straightness, persistence of the main stem, and branch size. lpil-ipil had the best survival rate (85%) and crown diameter (3.63 m). Teak (Tectona Krandis) and yemane (G. arhorea) had the best health condition and DBH (2 1.65 em), respect ively. The best overall performance was obta ined by agoho though yemane gave the highest merchantable volume (341.80 m3/ha).

In the E. camaldulensis provenance trial, many performance indicators significantly differed except for crown length, crown diameter, stem straightness, and branch size. The Kennedy River provenance, E. tereticornis control plot. gave the best DBH (14.43 em), total height ( 14.02 m), stem stra ig ht ness, and branch s ize. Among the E. camaldulensis provenances, the Emu Creek provenance exhibited the best merchantable height ( 13.28 m), crown diameter (3. 11 m), and persistance of the main stem. while the provenances from Irvine Bank. Katherine, and Ord River had the best crown length (6.44 m), health condition, and survival (78.4%), respectively. The Kennedy River provenance (E. tereticornis control plot) had the best overall performance and highest merchantab le volume (79 .289 mlfha), followed by the Irvine Bank provenance, E. camalclulensis. with 70.311 m3/ha.

Except for stem straightness. there were significant differences among the provenances in theA. mangium provenance trial. The Trinity Inlet provenance (Australia) exhibited the highest performance in total height (20.68 m) and crown diameter (4.84 m). The provenances of Jalan Medu (Malaysia), Sook Keningau (Malaysia), Cassiowary Range (Australia), and Brumas (Malaysia) had the best DBH (25.87 cm), health condition, persistence of the main stem, and survival rate (72.8%), respectively. The Brumas provenance (Malaysia) had the best overall performance, while the Aibergowrie provenance (Australia) gave the highest merchantable volume (248.89 m3/ha).

In the G. arborea trial, signi ficant differences among the provenances in most performance indicators were found except in survival, merchantable height, and health conditions. The NALCO Seed Orchard provenance (Philippines) had the best performance in terms of merchantable height (9 .41 m), persistence of the main stem, branch size, and health condition. The Muak Lek provenance (Thai land) gave the best performance in DBH (20.22 em), crown length (8.68 m), and crown diameter (4 .06 m). The Gum-gum provenance (Malaysia) showed the best performance in survival (74.4%) and stem straightness and the best overall performance. The Khao Soi Dao provenance (Thai land) had the best total height ( 19.37 m). The Muak Lek provenance had the highest merchantable volume (120.267 m3/ha).

Overall. A. mangium perfonned best in most perfonnance indicators and in merchantable volume. Therefore. this species was recommended for planting in the site or other sites that are similar to ANZAP. The seeds should preferably be sourced either from Australia (Aibergowrie provenance) or Malaysia (Brumas provenance).