Philippine E-Journals

Asexual Propagation and Performance ofIndigenous Tree Species on VariousGrowing Media/Substrates

Ardel S. Barre | Cecile C. Diamante

Discipline: Science

 

Abstract:

The interactions between five (5) indigenous tree species with commercialvalue and five (5) growing media/substrates were evaluated using a 5x5factorial under a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Five specieswith commercial importance and abundantly growing in the Western MindanaoState University experimental forest were identified. Sixty wildlings for eachspecies were collected and grown in five growing media prepared by usinglocally available materials. The growth performance of the wildlings in termsof basal diameter and apical height were observed, recorded, monitored andevaluated. Among the five identified indigenous species, Almaciga (Agathisphilippensis) emerged as the most commercially important species whileBagtikan (Parashoreamalaanonan) and Mala-almaciga (Podocarpusblumei)came in next. Ulaian (Lithocarpuspruinosa) and Malaruhat-pula (Syzygiumdecipiens) were considered important for construction purposes of uplandfarmers. Generally, Ulaian exhibited the highest growth in basal diameter andapical height and followed by Bagtikan. The growth performance of the fiveindigenous species was highly significant at p< .01, but it was only significantat p < .05 when compared with the different growing media/substrates.There was, however, no significant difference in the growth performancewhen observed in combination with species and growing medium/substrate.Ulaian and Bagtikan are good reforestation species. Malaruhat-pula maybe apotential reforestation species due to its robust leaf formation capability while Almaciga may be used provided appropriate field maintenance will be applied.Mala-almaciga is not recommended for reforestation activities.