A review of dipterocarps - Center for International Forestry Research

Seed Handling 86
ASEAN Forest Tree Seed Centre
This centre in Thailand serves the needs of all ASEAN
countries in relation to forest seed problems common
to all the ASEAN countries.
The AFTSC could assist in the seed programme by:
1. raising funds and acting as host for the training of
seed research personnel;
2. providing relevant technical support through shortterm
consultancies; and
3. disseminating knowledge and technology gained in
seed programmes.
Private Sector
The private sector is at present not significantly involved
in the plantation forestry programmes in Peninsular
Malaysia. However, there is interest being expressed
by the large plantation holdings to go into forest
plantation in support of the Malaysian government’s
aspirations to produce timber from sustainably managed
forests.
With its long and successful experience of rubber,
cocoa and oil palm plantation, the private sector could
contribute to the seed programme by:
1. contributing experience in establishing large-scale
plantations of forest species;
2. managing large-scale nurseries; and
3. becoming investors in forest plantations.
Institutes with Resources Relevant to Insect
Research
The central laboratory in the Royal Forest Department
in Thailand has a programme of research on forest tree
insects. In the UK the Natural History Museum (British
Museum) also has resources and relevant experience in
relation to insect research.
Conclusion
In this chapter, current knowledge on handling of
dipterocarp seeds has been outlined and areas indicated
where further work is required. The potential exists to
overcome difficulties in producing planting material,
but the collaboration of several agencies is required. A
suggested framework has been provided for Peninsular
Malaysia. While the individual organisations may not
be entirely the same in other countries, equivalent
groups will need to collaborate to attain the objectives.
Acknowlegements
We thank the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, the
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and the Center for International
Forestry Research for providing facilities and financial
support.
References
Appanah, S. and Weinland, G. 1993. Planting quality
timber trees in Peninsular Malaysia - a review.
Malayan Forest Record no. 38. Forest Research
Institute Malaysia, Kepong. 221p.
Ashton, P.S., Givnish, T.J. and Appanah, S. 1988.
Staggered flowering in the Dipterocarpaceae: new
insights into floral induction and the evolution of mast
fruiting in the aseasonal tropics. American Naturalist
132: 44-66.
Barnard, R.C. 1950. Seed storage trials in sawdust.
Malayan Forester 13: 163-164.
Brown, N.D. and Whitmore, T.C. 1992. Do dipterocarp
seedlings really partition tropical rain forest gaps?
Philosophical Transactions Royal Society. Biological
Science 335: 369-378.
Burgess, P.F. 1972. Some studies on the regeneration
of hill forests in the Malay peninsula. The phenology
of dipterocarps. Malaysian Forester 2: 103-123.
Cockburn, P.F. 1975. Phenology of dipterocarps in
Sabah. Malaysian Forester 3: 160-170.
Dent, T.V. 1948. The storage of seed of Indian forest
plants. Indian Forest Records (New Series).
Silviculture: 7, No. 1, 134p.
Eungwijarnpanya, S. and Hedlin, A.F. 1984. Studies on
seed insects of some forest trees. Embryon 1: 49-56.
Foxworthy, F.W. 1932. Dipterocarpaceae of the Malay
Peninsula. Malayan Forest Record no.10. Forest
Research Institute Malaysia, Kepong.
Goldbach, H. 1979. Seed storage of Meliococcus
bijugatus and Eugenia brasiliensis (E. dombeyi)
using abscisic acid as a germination inhibitor. Seed
Science and Technology 7: 403 - 406.
Hawkes, J.G. 1980. Genetic conservation of
‘recalcitrant’ species - an overview. In: Withers, L.A.
and Williams, J.T. (eds.) Crop genetic resources. The
conservation of difficult material, 83-96. International
Board for Plant Genetic Resources, Rome.