A review of dipterocarps - Center for International Forestry Research

Plantations 152
macrocarpa, V. indica, Vatica lanceaefolia and V.
roxburghiana. A comprehensive description of the
dipterocarps of South Asia is contained in RAPA
Monograph 4/85 (FAO 1985).
In Nepal, research on dipterocarps has concentrated
on the management of sal (Shorea robusta) forests and
on forest seeds and nursery procedures (e.g., Napier and
Robbins 1989). In Pakistan, Chowdhury (1955)
described the silvicultural problems of S. robusta and
Amam (1970) trials of direct sowing. In Bangladesh,
systematic planting of S. robusta started last century
(1856) within the traditional taungya system. Since the
late 1970s there are greater efforts to improve the
management of the dipterocarp species (Das 1982).
Subsequently, research has been carried out on
propagation techniques (Banik 1980, Rashid and
Serjuddoula 1986, Haque et al. 1985, Serjuddoula and
Rahman 1985). Jones and Das (1979) developed a
programme for the procurement of improved forest tree
seeds, which is now the task of the National Tree Seed
Center established in 1986 (Mok 1994). The Species
Improvement Programme includes the plus tree selection
of Dipterocarpus turbinatus and Hopea odorata (Nandy
and Chowdury 1994). Dipterocarp species under
investigation are: Anisoptera glabra, Dipterocarpus
costatus, D. pilosus, D. turbinatus, Hopea odorata and
Shorea robusta.
In the past, the plantation efforts in Thailand
focussed on planting Tectona grandis and fast-growing
exotic species. Plantations involving dipterocarps have
been established since the 1980s. Consequently, research
on dipterocarps has been intensified. A description of the
dipterocarps of mainland South East Asia has been
prepared by Smitinand and Santisuk (1981) and of the
silvicultural ecology of the dipterocarps of Thailand by
Smitinand et al. (1980). Both contain information on
silvical aspects. Research has been concentrating on
collection, storage and germination of seeds and on
mycorrhizae (e.g., Khemnark 1980, Panochit et al. 1984,
Panochit et al. 1986, Chalermpongse 1987, Boontawee
and Nutivijarn 1991, Linington 1991, Kantarli 1993).
Concerning dipterocarp planting stock propagation the
ASEAN Forest Tree Seed Centre concentrates on
vegetative propagation (Mok 1994). Dipterocarpus
alatus, Hopea odorata and Shorea siamensis, amongst
others, are priority species for reforestation activities and
D. alatus and D. turbinatus are included in the gene
conservation programme (Sa-Ardavut 1994). Species
which have received attention are: Anisoptera costata,
Dipterocarpus alatus, D. costatus, D. intricatus, D.
macrocarpus, D. obtusifolius, D. tuberculatus, Hopea
ferrea, H. odorata, Shorea henryana, S. obtusa, S.
roxburghii and S. siamensis.
In Vietnam, some plantation work on an
experimental scale is carried out in Dong Nai Province,
in the Central Highlands and in Daklak Province (Doan
1985, Vu 1991, Dinh 1992). Several studies on the
distribution of dipterocarps, and on the structure and
dynamics of dipterocarp forests in Vietnam were carried
out which contain information on silvical characters of
the dipterocarps (e.g., Nguyen Nghia Thin 1985, Vu Van
Dung 1985). Bieberstein et al. (1985) investigated the
possibilities of rehabilitating areas devastated during the
Vietnam War. Species investigated were: Dipterocarpus
alatus, Hopea odorata and Anisoptera costata. Research
on various other aspects was carried out on these species
and, additionally, Dipterocarpus dyeri, D. tuberculatus,
D. obtusifolius, Shorea obtusa, S. roxburghii, S. thorelii,
S. siamensis and Vatica odorata.
In Cambodia the phenology and germination
behaviour of Hopea odorata has been investigated by
Tixier (1973).
In Peninsular Malaysia planting of dipterocarps
started in 1900 when Neobalanocarpus heimii was lineplanted
in forest reserves but was discontinued when
Commercial Regeneration Fellings were introduced in
1918. Between 1929 and 1941 experimental plantations
of dipterocarps were started at the Forest Research
Institute Malaysia. Main dipterocarp species planted were
Anisoptera scaphula, A. laevis, Dipterocarpus baudii,
Dryobalanops aromatica, D. oblongifolia, Shorea
acuminata, S. curtisii, S. leprosula, S. macroptera, S.
macrophylla, S. ovalis, S. parvifolia, S. platyclados and
S. sumatrana. Dipterocarps were later used in enrichment
plantings (e.g., Tang and Wadley 1976). Main species
planted were those of the fast-growing hardwoods.
Enrichment planting is still pursued, albeit on low scale
(Chin et al. 1995). Barnard (1954) summarised the
knowledge on artificial regeneration of dipterocarps
describing the operations from planting stock
procurement to post-planting tending. Wyatt-Smith
(1963b) furthered the knowledge on enrichment planting
and presented information on choice of species and
silvicultural operations up to the tending of the established
crop. The review on planting high quality timber species
by Appanah and Weinland (1993) presents an overview