Growth and Genetic Parameters of Mindi (Melia azedarach Linn.) Progeny Test in Parungpanjang Forest Research Station, Bogor

Mindi (Melia azedarach Linn., family Meliaceae) is a multipurpose forest tree species such as for furniture, vinier and plywood, otherwise the leaves for pesticide and medicine material. Mindi mostly cultivated in a community forest, especially in West Java. This study was aimed to assess the growth performance and genetic parameter of the progeny test of mindi at Parungpanjang Forest Research Station, Bogor, West Java. The progeny test was established by using a randomized complete block design, consisting of 6 blocks and 73 families and each family consisting of 4 trees row-plot. The survival at 7 years old was 57.48%, height was 7.15 m and diameter is 8.59 cm, in average. The height and diameter growths among families showed a significantly different. The best family growth in height and diameter were Sumedang-31 and Bogor-18 families, respectively.The individual and family heritabilities for both stem diameter and tree heght characters were stil relatively low, with the higher family heritability value than individual heritability. The genetic correlation between total height and stem diameter of 0.57 indicates a strong correlation between the traits.

Bird Species Abundance and Diversity in Montane Forest Research Station, Jos, Plateau State

Forest is the most significant habitat for birds by supporting around 75% of all bird species while only 45% of all bird species have adapted to humans modified habitats. The research was conducted in the Montane Forest Research Station, Jos, Plateau State, in other to determine the abundance, diversity and effect of habitat types on bird’s species diversity. Fifteen transects of 200m were laid in the three habitat types (riparian forest, farmland and residential area) using stratified random sampling method. The data collected were analysed using R console. Shannon Weiner diversity index was used to analyse species diversity while generalized linear model was used to determine the effect of the habitat variables on bird species diversity. The result showed a total number of 1466 individual birds belonging to 17 families and 60 bird species were sighted. The abundance of birds was highest in riparian forest (2252), farmland (1732) and Residential area (1094) with no significance difference (p=0.177). Species richness was higher in the riparian forest (57), farmland (49), and the residential area (44). It also revealed that bird diversity index was highly significant. Riparian forest had the highest diversity (4.77), and the species were more evenly distributed (0.6) as compared to the other habitat types. The higher the number of trees and canopy cover the higher the diversity of species as was observed in the riparian forest where forest species that weren’t seen in the other habitats were found. The farmland and residential areas also hold a considerable number of some generalist bird species due to some patches of vegetation found in the habitat. Therefore, conservation efforts should be directed towards keeping vegetation intact in human dominated areas, as it serves as repository for bird species which are ecologically important. Hence, planting trees (economic, fruit and ornamental) should be encouraged.

Priraščanje navadne smreke (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) in evropskega macesna (Larix decidua Mill.) na nekdanjih novinah v koprivni v Karavankah

Based on previous measurements from 1962 to 2017 on forest research plots located on former slash-and-burn farming areas in the cadastral municipality of Koprivna, the diameter and height increment as well as volume increments of the two main tree species - spruce and larch - were calculated. These set-aside natural research plots have a smaller mean basal area diameter, but the number of trees is higher than in comparable managed forests. Due to the high-density of tree stands over the past thirty years, radial increment of spruce and larch has declined. To determine the influence of environmental factors on radial growth of spruce and larch, a dendrochronological analysis was conducted. According to the dendrochronological analysis of radial increment of trees, the number of years with a negative response has been higher since 1984.

Business feasibility of several PS-01 hybrid silkworms (Bombix mori L.) cultivation scheme

Forest Research and Development Center has developed technology to increase productivity of sericulture through selection of types and varieties and cross-breeding to obtain superior hybrids. One of the superior hybrids produced is superior silkworm PS-01. The use of PS-01 hybrid silkworm seeds has been officially carried out with the Minister of Forestry Decree Number 794 I Menhut-II/2013 concerning the Release of PS-01 Hybrid Silkworm (Bombyx Mory L) Seeds. Several variations in the cultivation of the PS-01 hybrid silkworm in the field result in several cultivation schemes. This study aims to assess feasibility of several of PS-01 hybrid silkworm cultivation schemes. The research is conducted at KTH Bina Mandiri Sukabumi. Data and information are obtained through in-depth interviews with several farmer group members Bina Mandiri Sukabumi, owner and manager of PT Begawan Nusantara as a partner of KTH, which cultivates PS-01 silkworm seeds. Data are analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. Feasibility of PS-01 hybrid silkworm cultivation business is assessed using several criteria, namely NPV, BCR, IRR, and BEP, during the 10-year business cycle. The results of financial analysis on four silkworm cultivation schemes using PS-01 hybrid silkworm seeds show Schema I : KTH farmers buy PS-01 hybrid silkworm eggs and sell their products in cocoons; it is not feasible; Schema II : KTH farmers buy PS-01 hybrid silkworm egg seeds and sell their products in the form of yarn, and it is feasible; Schema III : KTH farmers do not purchase PS-01 hybrid silkworm eggs and sell their products in the form of cocoons; it is not feasible; Schema IV. In a partnership scheme, KTH farmers are assisted with silkworm eggs, consumable operational materials, farmers receive maintenance assistance up to the 3rd instar, and the sale of the produce in the form of cocoons is feasible.

BIO-INDUKSI RANTING CABANG GAHARU (GYRINOPS VERSTEEGII) DI PERKEBUNAN GAHARU DESA PEJARING LOMBOK TIMUR

Bio-induction on the branch of agarwood tree (Gyrinops versteegii) is a good alternative method to increase resin productivity. The aim of this research is to applied bio-induction on the branch of G. versteegii with different diameters. Different branch diameter was the treatment on this research including branch 1 (diameter 70 mm ± 5 mm), branch 2 (85 mm ± mm), branch 3 (100 mm ± mm). Fusarium solani isolate of Institute for Technology Research and Development of Non-Timber Forest Product was used as a bio-induction agent. This isolate was cultured on bean sprout broth media for 28 days. Bio-induction was carried using standard procedure developed by Forest Research and Development Agency. Observation of the result conducted 3 months after bio-induction. There were 3 parameters of bio-induction result including resin area production, discoloration in form of browning on branch, and fragrance level of resin. Branch 2 has the largest resin area production. However, branch 3 has the highest score of browning and fragrance level. This result indicated a correlation between browning on branch and fragrance level quality. It could be concluded that bio-induction on larger branch diameter could produce higher productivity of resin, especially on browning and fragrance level parameter

Overwinter Storage of European Beech and Norway Spruce Planting Stock: Effect of Different Methods and Temperature Conditions

The aim of this research was to compare methods of overwinter storage of forest tree species planting stock and to specify of the optimal and the minimal temperature for freezing. Planting stock of European beech and Norway spruce were stored three times over a period of dormancy (2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018) (1) in freezers, (2) in an air-conditioned warehouse, (3) in a cave and (4) in soil (bare-rooted plants) and at a holding area (containerized plants), i.e., an open storage. During storage, the vitality of plants was determined using the root electrolyte leakage (REL) parameter, and in 2016 also by restoring growth in a sample of plants. The stored plants were always planted in a forest research plot in the spring and their basic morphological parameters and mortality were evaluated at the end of the growing season. The most suitable temperature for storage of both bare-rooted and containerized beech and spruce was in the range from −3.4 °C to −1.7 °C. The plants after overwinter storage showed no significant mortality after planting–they showed a high vitality of the fine roots and a normal increment, and were not damaged by frost, mold or other negative factors during storage.

Virtual Truffle Hunting—A New Method of Burgundy Truffle (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) Site Typing

The aim of this study was to enable searches for truffles (Tuber spp.), particularly the Burgundy truffle (T. aestivum Vittad.), to be carried out in forests based on a method that has been constantly developed since 2007 by the Forest Research Institute. The method is termed “Virtual Truffle Hunting” and it takes 12 parameters into account: bedrock, soil pH, Ca+ and CaCO3 content in soil, C/N ratio, soil structure, altitude of terrain, type of forest site, forest structure, the Burgundy truffle host trees, and the presence of particular species including orchids and insects. A simple “Virtual Truffle Hunting” software has also been developed, which makes the use of the method easy, fast, and effective. This method is to ascertain the truffle potential for all areas in which digital maps are not available. In 2015, the method was tested in 20 sites, representing forests in 5 Polish macroregions. Hunting for hypogeous fungi was conducted from June to October with the help of trained dogs. Thanks to this method, 14 new truffle sites were found. The knowledge of environmental conditions conducive to the Burgundy truffle growth enabled us to form an effective tool in order to identify new sites of truffle presence.