Annals of Tropical Research 32(2): 111–121 (2010)

ERDB Research, Development and Extension

Strategies for the Production of High Quality Planting
Materials

Rafael Cadiz, Marilyn Landicho and Mylene Aparente

Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau, Department of Environment and

Natural Resources, College, Laguna 4031, the Philippines

ABSTRACT

The Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau is presently conducting

research, development and extension strategies for the production of high quality
planting materials. The activities include the verification and assessment of existing
seed stands and identification of new seed stands, as seed sources of indigenous and
exotic species nationwide. Propagation protocols are being developed for some
demand-driven indigenous species, and provenance cum progeny trials are being
conducted for narra (Pterocarpus indicus), yemane (Gmelina arborea) and molave
(Vitex parviflora). Extension activities include the establishment of a database of the
information gathered by the project, capacity building, and production of brochures,
leaflets and videos. It is considered that all possible mechanisms should be employed
to transfer the research results effectively.

Keywords: propagation protocols, seed stands, provenance and progeny testing, data
base establishment, GIS-based map

RESEARCH RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Forests are renewable resources, essential for the sustenance and welfare of all
terrestrial life forms. To meet future needs for wood, the forestry sector must increase
production per unit area without destroying the natural resource base. Sustainable
forest management is defined in the Helsinki Process as ‘the stewardship and use of
forests and forestland in such a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity,
productivity and regenerative capacity, vitality and the potential to fulfil, now and in
the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national and
global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems’ (MCPPE 1998).
In the Philippines, there is a need to establish fast-growing and high-yielding
plantations to increase production of wood to meet future needs, reduce logging
pressure on natural forests, and ensure biodiversity and genetic conservation of
endangered, vanishing and demand-driven indigenous species (Aggangan 2000). The
concern for species which can produce wood with desired properties including
strength and stability needs, should also be addressed. The production of planting
materials for endangered, indigenous and other forest genetic resources is a primary

DOI: 10.32945/atr32210a.2010
 112 CADIZ, LANDICHO and APARENTE

priority. Hence, a holistic strategy for wood production which at the same level
prevents the eminent danger of the irreversible loss of forest genetic resources is to be
adopted. Currently, the fundamental problem that needs to be addressed is the lack of
supply of improved planting materials for production purposes, and for conservation
of endangered indigenous and other forest genetic resources (Tolentino et al. 2002;
Gregorio 2006; Cacanindin 2009). This is the rationale behind the project on the
development of strategies for the production of high quality planting materials being
conducted by the Research Sector of the DENR.
The project aims to: verify and gather baseline information on the status of the
existing seed sources, seedlings and clonal seed orchards in the Philippines; identify
new seed stands as sources of seeds of indigenous and exotic species; identify
stakeholders for the possible turn-over of management, protection, collection,
utilization, and distribution of seeds from the assessed and newly identified seed
stands; determine the appropriate seed technology, and appropriate micro and macro
propagation techniques in the production of high quality planting materials; and
conduct provenance cum progeny testing of some selected species to upgrade the
quality of seed sources.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

For Activity 1 (verification and assessment of existing seed sources or seed stands
of indigenous and exotic species nationwide), a total of 2543 plus trees covering 60
stands or sources were verified and assessed as of October 2008. As indicated in Table
1, the tree species include of yemane, auri, mangium, benguet pine, narra, molave,
river red gum, mahogany, pili, bakauan babae and lalaki, dao, kamagong, tindalo,
white lauan, saplungan, tanguile, almon, teak, almaciga, bagras and mangasinoro.

Table 1. Existing seed stands verified and assessed

Common name Scientific Name No. of seed stands No. of trees

Mahogany Swietenia macrophylla 11 1065
Narra Pterocarpus indicus Willd. 7 206
Mixed dipterocarp 1 200
Yemane Gmelina arborea 6 156
Pili Canarium ovatum 3 128
Molave Vitex parviflora Juss 3 121
Auri Acacia auriculiformis 3 117
White Lauan Shorea contorta Vid 3 103
Pinus kesiya Royle ex.
Benguet pine Gordon 3 92
Bagras Eucalyptus deglupta 3 78
Mangium Acacia mangium 3 58
Saplungan Hopea plagata 1 38
Almaciga Agathis philippinensis 1 32
 ERDB Planting Material Research 113

Table 1. Existing seed stands verified and assessed (Cont.)

Common name Scientific Name No. of seed stands No. of trees

River red gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis 1 30
Tanguile Shorea polysperma 1 30
Teak Tectona grandis 1 28
Rhizophora mucronata and
B. Babae and B. Lalaki Rhizophora apiculata 2 20
Almon Shorea almon 2 14
Mangasinoro Shorea philippinensis 2 12
Dracontomelon dao
Dao (Blanco) Merr. 1 5
Kamagong Diospyros philippinensis 1 5
Tindalo Afzelia rhomboidea 1 5
Total 60 2543

For Activity 2 (identification of new seed sources or seed stands of indigenous and
exotic species nationwide), a total of 918 plus trees from 33 seed sources or stands
were newly identified as of October 2008 (Table 2). The 918 plus trees include species
of narek, agoho. almaciga, akleng parang, bagras, molave, ipil, malapapaya, mamalis,
talisay gubat, apitong, narra, falcataria, tangal, yakal, bago nangka and mangium.

Table 2. New seed stands identified and assessed

Common name Scientific Name No. of stands No. of trees

Falcata Paraserianthes falcatarea 3 302
Mangium Acacia mangium Willd. 3 171
Molave Vitex parviflora Juss 5 75
Terminalia foetidissima
Talisay gubat Griff 2 67
Mixed species 1 53
Narek Hopea cagayanensis 2 44
Ipil Intsia bijuga 2 43
Bagras Eucalyptus deglupta 3 40
Tangal Ceriops tagal 1 30
Agoho Casuarina equisetifolia L 1 29
Mamalis Pittosporum pentandrum 1 23
114 CADIZ, LANDICHO and APARENTE

Table 2. New seed stands identified and assessed (Cont.)

Common name Scientific Name No. of stands No. of trees

Polyscias nodosa (Blume)
Malapapaya Seem 2 14
Dipterocarp species 1 8
Akleng parang Albizia procera 1 6
Almaciga Agathis philippinensis 1 5
Dipterocarpus grandiflorus
Apitong Blanco 1 4
Narra Pterocarpus indicus Willd. 1 2
Yakal Shorea astylosa 1 1
Bago Gnetum gnemon 1 1
Total 33 918

For Activity 3 (turn-over of management of the above-cited verified and assessed

existing and newly identified seed sources or seed stands), all 14 regions are still in the
process of exploratory talks with various stakeholders, including Provincial
Environment and Natural Resource (PENR) officers, Community Environment and
Natural Resource (CENR) officers, Protected Area Management Board officers, Local
Government Units (LGUs), NGOs, academia and military reservations.
For Activity 4 (determination of appropriate propagation protocol for some
indigenous species), a total of 17 species were studied, with germination and survival
rate of 70% or more considered to be acceptable. These species include adelfa, bignai,
dita, dungon, dangula, saraca, narek, agoho del monte, beach agoho, dao, sakat,
kamuning, batikuling, Mindanao cinnamon, molave, toog and tualis. Ten species were
also tested for this activity; however, they still need further refinements to meet the
acceptable standard for propagation protocol. These species include narek (from
cuttings where rooting is still under observation), balitbitan, bantigi, balakat, mindoro
pine, payuspos, ilang-ilang, kamagong, bagalunga and mamalis. The propogation
protocol developed is summarized in Table 3.
For Activity 5 (conduct of provenance and progeny trials of selected species to
upgrade the quality of seed stands as source of germplasm for breeding and mass
production), three regions (Regions IV-A, VII and XI) were assigned to conduct the
initial provenance-trial study. The seeds for this trial came from the various research
units of the regions, which were required to submit the seeds of narra, molave and
yemane. Regions IV-A in Quezon National Park outplanted narra, Region VII in Bilar,
Cebu outplanted molave, and Region XI in Tagum, Davao planted yemane. The
locations of these activities are indicated in Figures 1 to 3.
 ERDB Planting Material Research 115

Table 3. Propagation protocol developed (acceptable standard of 70% germination or

survival)

Region/ Common name/ Planting Treatment Percent germination

office scientific name material used or survival
ERDB Bignai Seeds No pre-treatment 82% germination
Antedesma bunius Shoot tip 400 ppm NAA 84.7% rooting using
(L) cuttings shoot tips
ERDB Dita Seeds No pre-treatment 92.9% germination
Alstonia scholaris (L)
ERDB Dungon Seeds Pericarp removal 89% germination
Tarrietia sylvatica Pericarp intact 71.5% germination
(L)
NCR Saraca Branchlets Marcots wrapped 98.6% survival
Saraca thaipingensis with sphagnum moss
and treated with
rooting hormones
NCR Adelfa Branchlets Marcots wrapped 100% survival
Nerium oleander L. with sphagnum moss
and treated with
rooting hormones
NCR Kamuning Branchlets Marcots wrapped 91%
Murraya paniculata with sphagnum moss
L. and treated with
rooting hormones
II Narek Wildlings Potted in soil 89.3%
Hopea cagayanensis collected from their
natural habitat
IVA Batikuling Branchlets Marcots wrapped 90%
Litsea leytensis Merr. with sphagnum moss survival
and treated with
rooting hormones
IVB Agoho del monte Shoot tip Hormex 83%
Casuarina cuttings survival
rumpheana
V Sakat Shoot tip No treatment 87.5%
Terminalia nitens cuttings survival
 116 CADIZ, LANDICHO and APARENTE

Table 3. Propagation protocol developed (acceptable standard of 70% germination or

survival) (Cont.)

Region/ Common name/ Planting Treatment Percent germination

office scientific name material used or survival
VI Beach agoho Seeds Seeds sown in sand 82%
Casuarina and garden soil survival
equisetifolia Forst. combination
VII Mindanao cinnamon Wildlings Leaves not 95%
Cinnamomun pruned germination
mindananse
VII Tualis Wildlings No treatment 97.7%
Syzygium survival
longissimum (Merr)
VIII Dangula Wildlings Using mist 92% survival
Teijsmanniodendron Shoot tip system 85% survival
ahernium (Merr) cuttings
Bakh.
IX Dao wildlings No treatment 80%
Dracontamelon dao survival
XI Molave Shoot tip Dipped with 72% survival (no
Vitex parviflora cuttings ANAA significant
difference with no
treatment)
XIII Toog shoot tip No treatment 80%
Combretodendron cuttings survival
quadrialatum (Merr)
ERDB Planting Material Research 117

Mahogany

1. Poblacion, Nueva Era, Ilocos

Norte (20 trees)
“
2. Experimental Forest, Banay,
CAR
Nueva Viscaya (400 trees) I II
3. Brgy. Malicboy, Pagbilao, “
Quezon (114 trees)
III
4. Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores,
Quezon (95 trees) NCR “
“
“
IVA
V
5. Brgy. Palola, Lucban, Quezon
(31 trees)
6. Camp 7, Minglanilla, Cebu (250
VIII
trees)
7. Baclay, Refo. Project, Baclay, VI

Zamboanga del Sur (2 trees)

“
8. Cogon Reforestation Project, IVB VII

Cogon, Dipolog City (5 trees)

9. Impalutao Reforestation CARAGA

Project, Impasugong, Bukidnon “ IX “

X
(50 trees) “ “XI
“
10.New Loon, Mintal, Davao City
XII
(23 trees)
11.Nabunturan ComVal (25 trees)

Figure 1. Planting sites for mahogany

118 CADIZ, LANDICHO and APARENTE

Narra Molave
1. Tuba, Benguet (26
trees) 1. Mt. Arayat National
CAR Park, Arayat,
2. Caniaw Refo Project, “
I II Pampanga (13 trees)
Caniaw, Bantay, “
Ilocos Sur (12 trees) 2. Ouan’s Worth Farm,
“ Silangan Mayao,
3. Carranglan, Nueva III
“ Lucena City (20 trees)
Ecija (24 trees) NCR
IVA
V
3. Kitaotao, Bukidnon
4. Brgy. San Luis,
(88 trees)
Mamburao, “
“
Occidental Mindoro
(36 trees) VIII

5. Camp 7, Minglanilla, VI
Cebu (35 trees)
6. New Loon, Mintal, “
IVB VII
Davao City
7. NPC Compound CARAGA
X
Binga, Itogon, IX
Benguet “
“XI
XII

Figure 2. Planting sites for narra and molave

ERDB Planting Material Research 119

yemane
“
CAR
1. Marcos, Ilocos Norte I II
(12 trees)
“
2. Experimental Forest, III
Bugnay, Nueva Viscaya NCR
(67 trees)
“IVA V

3. Ternate, Cavite (25 trees)

VIII

4. Baclay Reforestation VI
Project, Baclay, Tukuran,
Zamboanga del Sur
IVB VII
(2 trees)

CARAGA
5. Nabunturan, Comval X

Province (25 trees) “ “

XI

XII
6. Upper Kitingan, Antipolo,
Rizal

Figure 3. Planting sites for yemane

EXTENSION STRATEGIES

The target users of the results of this project include the DENR, people’s
organizations, LGUs, religious organizations, academia, and other organizations and
individuals that need the information. The following are the extension strategies for
the project:

Establishment of Database
Knowing the effectiveness of conveying information through the internet, the
databasing of information gathered from the project is the successor activity of the
project. All the significant information derived from the project is progressively
120 CADIZ, LANDICHO and APARENTE

uploaded to the DENR-ERDB website <http://erdb.denr.gov.ph/contact.php> to allow

widespread access to information.

A. Capacity Building
Hands-on training. In clonal propagation, several hands-on training events were
conducted to transfer the technology to the interested groups, including regional
offices of DENR (research sector units, CENROs, PENROs), LGUs, academic
institutions, NGOs and people’s organizations (POs). Monitoring of the adoption of
the technologies disseminated during the training events will be undertaken and
carrying out another follow up training sessions will be undertaken when necessary.
Gregorio (2006) and Baynes et al. (2008) both argued that frequent contacts with
extension agents are necessary to ensure that stakeholders are able to adopt the
technologies disseminated during training events.

Demonstration plantation. The interested farmers are brought to the plantation to

show the performance of the propagated seedlings from clonal propagation. Locations
of the demonstration plots include Luzon (Laguna, Cavite, Nueva Vizcaya) and
Mindanao (Surigao del Sur and Davao). Demonstration plantings are effective
instruments to showcase to farmers the results of new interventions. The ACIAR
Smallholder Forestry project at VSU has established a number of field trials and these
have been effective in disseminating silvicultural technologies to tree farmers in Leyte
and Mindanao Islands (Gregorio et al. 2009)

Conduct of lectures. Conducting lectures is one of the effective methods of

transferring information to the target users because of the direct contact with the
audience. Questions from the target audience can easily be answered and thus
immediate feedback is achieved. Several lectures have already been conducted to
some LGUs, students, private plantation developers, nursery owners, religious
organization and other institutions engaged in the production of high quality planting
materials. The lectures conducted included topics such as seed technology, clonal
nursery establishment, hedge garden establishment, maintenance and management,
and macro-micro clonal propagation techniques.

B. Production of Brochures or Leaflets

The target users who do not have access to internet, television and radio can,
however, be reached through leaflets or brochures in vernacular form (Gravoso et al.
2009). Some of the IEC materials produced by ERDB include ‘DENR Recommends
on Mass Production and Nursery Management’, Research Information Series on
Ecosystem (RISE), and ‘Non-Mist Clonal Multiplication of Dipterocarps’.

C. Video Production
This strategy is costly compared to other methods and is used in a small-group
gathering. However, all the stages from selection of mother trees, collection of seeds,
planting, and up to the maintenance of plantation can be documented.
ERDB Planting Material Research 121

CONCLUDING COMMENTS

Any research outputs would be futile if the outputs are not transferred to target
clients or to interested groups and individuals. Thus, all possible mechanisms are
being utilized to reach the target beneficiaries, especially the upland people who do
not have easy access to technology.

REFERENCES

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Tree Species in the Philippines. (S.R. Harrison and J.L. Herbohn, eds). ACIAR
Monograph 75, ACIAR, Canberra. pp. 33–43.
BAYNES, J. and N. GREGORIO. 2008. Nursery Training For Smallholders: an
Evaluation of Two Extension Programs in the Philippines. Small-scale Forestry.
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