SURVIVAL AND EARLY GROWTH OF <em>SHOREA</em> <em>PLATYCLADOS</em>, <em>SHOREA</em> <em>MACROPTERA</em>, <em>SHOREA</em> <em>ASSAMICA</em> AND <em>HOPEA</em> <em>NERVOSA</em> IN OPEN PLANTING

Abstract

In view of the potential of domesticating commercially important dipterocarps as plantation species, a study was conducted to assess the effects of open planting at 2 x 2 m spacing on early growth and survival of four selected commercial dipterocarps, Shorea platyclados (meranti bukit), Shorea assamica (meranti pipit), Shorea macroptera (meranti melantai) and Hopea nervosa (merawan jangkang). A 4 x4 Latin Square Design was employed to establish a 50 x 50 m plot on a gentle slope at Field 30F, Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Selangor. Prior to planting, the secondary vegetation on the site was clear felled and removed from the plot. No burning was carried out in the plot. Thus, the litter layer was not disturbed. At 26 months after planting, the survival of the four open planted dipterocarps was 92.2%, 85.9%, 64.0% and 57.6% for S. platyclados, S. assamica, S. macroptera and H. nervosa respectively. S. platyclados had the highest collar diameter increment (at lO cm above ground level) and top height increment of 35.0 ± 4.3 mm and 2.51 ± 1.27 m respectively. This was followed by S. assamica with 1.23 ± 0.20m and 21.5 ± 2.8mm for top height increment and collar diameter increment respectively. S. macroptera and H. nervosa had slower growth rates and poorer survival compared to the other two dipterocarps. S. platyclados, which is a high value hill dipterocarp, had significantly the best survival (p<0.05), diameter increment (p<0.01) and top height increment (p<0.01) amongst the open planted dipterocarps. Higher efficiency of photosynthesis for S. platyclados found in open planting could be the main factor contributing to its good establishment. The study concluded that S.platyclados establishes well in open planting and has great potential as a future forest plantation species.