EARLY PERFORMANCE OF 12 SHADE TOLERANT TREE SPECIES INTERPLANTED WITH PARASERIANTHES FALCATARIA ON IMPERATA CYLINDRICA GRASSLAND

Abstract

Performance of 12 slow-growing shade tolerant tree species on Imperata cylindrica dominated grassland inter planted Paraserianthes falcataria was studied for five years in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The seedlings were planted under a two-year-old plantation in a randomized complete block design with eight replications. All the species had high survival until the third year, when the mortality of several Shorea species as well as Durio zibethinus increased considerably as a result of a severe dry season. Non-dipterocarp species, Podocarpus polystachyus, Agathis borneensis and Pericopsis mooniana, had the best performance in the trial with survival rates of 82 95% and height of 3.2-3.5 m at the age of five years. The best dipterocarps were Vatica sp., S. leprosula and Hopea sangal with survival rates of 49-83% and height of 2.9-3.4 m. The results suggest that rehabilitation of Imperata grasslands by interplanting shade tolerant species with fast-growing species is possible with proper species selection. Despite the long time period needed, the method will provide alternatives for monoculture plantations both in terms of wood production and restoration of natural forest ecosystem.