A Preliminary Study of Genetic Variation of Selected Species of a Lowland Forest at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor

A preliminary study of the extent and pattern of genetic variation of 10 selected species (Shorea parvifolia, Shorea macroptera, Shorea acuminata, Shorea leprosula, Hopea beccariana, Dipterocarpus crinitus, Endospermum malaccensis, Artocarpus elasticus, Palaquium gutta and Macaranga gigantea at Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve was carried out using the horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of eight enzymes indicated that they were coded by 9 to 12 loci. Levels of polymorphism and mean of expected heterozygosities of these species ranged from 0.9 to 1.0 and from 0.454 (S. leprosula) to 0.602 (H. beccariana) respectively

Effects of plant materials, cutting positions, rooting media and IBA on rooting of Shorea leprosula (Dipterocarpacea) cuttings

Vegetative propagation by cuttings of seedlings of Shorea leprosula can be an effective, easy and economical means for raising quality planting stock. This study examined the possibility of raising planting stocks of S. leprosula from different plant materials (coppice and seedlings), cutting positions (upper tip, middle and basal), using concentrations of IBA (control, 50 pg, 100 pg, 150 pg and Seradix 3) and in rooting media (sand, paddy husk and coconut fibre). Basal cuttings of coppice gave the highest rooting percentage, 100% when treated with 100 pg IBA and grown in sand rooting medium. Analysis of variance based on survival and rooting percentages showed high significant differences (p<O.OO1) among and between the treatments. Coppice cuttings produced better root growth than seedling cuttings

Effect of a misting system and rooting media of Labisia pumila cuttings

Labisia pumila is one of the most popular and potent ingredients used in Malay traditional herbal. However, logging activities and forest encroachment reduced the productivity of L. pumila in natural stands. In addition, the species is slow growth and its scarcity of wildings in natural forests. Due to the problems, a study on L. pumila cuttings to examine the possibility of raising planting stocks was studied. The experiment was done at FRIM's nursery with a Split-Split Plot (SSPD) in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) involving two propagation systems (misting and nonmisting), three rooting media (river sand, sawdust and 1:1 mixture of river sand and sawdust) and three plant parts (stem, petiole and leaf). Results indicated significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in all treatments with regards to their root and shoot development. Cuttings propagated in misting system produced better rooting ability (84%) than the non-mist system (72%). However, cuttings propagated in non-mist system showed better shoot growth (29%) than the ones raised in the misting system (20%). Cuttings grown in river sand produced higher root and shoot abilities (87% and 26%) than those raised on river sand and sawdust mix (1:1) (76% and 24%) and in sawdust (72% and 23%). Stem cuttings performed best compared to leaf and petiole cuttings. In conclusion, L. pumila var. alata stem cuttings could be possibly propagated vegetatively through rooting of cuttings with favorable treatments such those raised on river sand medium under the misting propagation system

Net primary productivity of forest trees: A review of current issue

Forest growth is important both economically and ecologically and it follows a predictable general trend with age. Generally, the growth of all forests accelerates as canopies develop in young forests and declines substantially soon after the maximum leaf area is attained. The causes of this decline trend are multiple. Initially, age- and size-related declines were attributed to photosynthesis-respiration imbalance. Subsequently, several competing hypotheses have been proposed over the years, although nutrient and hydraulic limitation hypotheses appear to be the most likely to have caused it. In this paper, the authors attempt to review these hypotheses and concentrate on one related aspect, as this can set the scene for further examining the issues of age-related versus size-related processes

Two-year performance of Acacia crassicarpa provenances at Serdang, Malaysia

A trial of eight provenances of Acacia crassicarpa A. Cunn. ex Benth. was assessed for survival and growth at age two years. Three provenances were from northern Queensland, Australia, four from Papua New Guinea and one from Irian Jaya, Indonesia. All provenances survived well (> 94 %), but they differed significantly (P < 0.01) in their growth performance. All provenances had more than 43% of their trees with single stems. For timber production, the provenance from Irian Jaya (Samlleberr) and two provenances from Queensland.(Olive River and Jardine River-Bamaga) were identified as promising

Cytotoxic Potential on Breast Cancer Cells Using Selected Forest Species Found in Malaysia

In vitro studies were carried out to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of three selected forest herbaceous species: Tectaria singaporeana (TS), Blechnum orientale (BO) and Tacca integrifolia (TCI). Methanol/methylene chloride extracts of three plant parts viz. leaves, roots and stems were assessed for their cytotoxic potential against human breast cancer cells (MCF-7wt.). Screening of these extracts was done using the microculture, followed by tetrazolium assay after a period of 72 h. There were significant differences between different parts of plants and dilution levels in terms of cytotoxicity, with roots and concentration of 100 μg mL-1 showing the highest cell mortality of 19.58 and 36.59%, respectively. However, the leaves and the stems of all three plant species did not induce any cytotoxic activity on the cells. Overall, the most promising material (IC50 <100 μg mL-1) were the methanolic extracts from the roots of all three plants. Tectaria singaporeana showed the highest cytotoxic potential with an IC50 value of 28.57 ± 11.74 μg mL-1 followed by Blechnum orientale, 32.07 ± 7.85 μg mL-1 and Tacca integrifolia, 95.03 ± 17.49 μg mL-1. From this study, the extracts of these plants may prove to be useful in cancer treatment and prevention

The effects of different indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations, two light regimes of in vitro rooting and acclimatization of in vitro teak (Tectona grandis L.f) plantlets

Effects of different indole-3-butyric (IBA) concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/l), two light regimes of in vitro rooting and acclimatization on in vitro teak (Tectona grandis L.f) were investigated. Shoots incubated in the light produced higher mean number of roots (2.0) and mean root length of 15.0 and 4.5 mm when supplemented with low IBA concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mg/l, respectively. Conversely, when shoots were incubated in the dark, higher mean number of roots (8.0 and 3.0) and mean root lengths (14.0 and 8.8 mm) were produced when supplemented with higher IBA concentrations of 2.0 and 3.0 mg/l, respectively. IBA was found necessary for root induction and growth in light and dark where 2.0 mg/l was optimum as it recorded high mean number of root (6.0 and 8.0) with mean root lengths of 11.8 and 14.0 mm, respectively. High survival percentage of 80% was recorded for those plantlets raised in "jiffy-7" but survival reduced to 40% when grown in the autoclaved soil after one week

In Vitro Regeneration of Bamboo Species

This review paper discussed about journals related to micropropagation of bamboo species. In recent years, the application of tissue culture technique like in vitro micropropagation has been used to meet the demands for bamboo products. In the past 30 years, protocols for micropropagation of various bamboo species have been established by researchers from all over the world. The controlling factors for cultures such as the explants, culture medium, carbon sources, combination and concentration of plant growth regulators and other additional additives are varied amongst. The controlling factors are crucial in developing successful regeneration protocols for various bamboo species. This paper is attempted to review and summarize the available and up to date information regarding in vitro micropropagation of bamboos

Three-year Performance of Acacia auriculiformis Provenances at Serdang, Malaysia

A trial consisting of 28 provenances ofAcacia auriculifonnis A. Cunn. ex Benth. was measured for survival and growth at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. Tree form was also assessed at 18 months. Of the provenances, 7 were from northern Queensland and 15 from Northern Territory, Australia, and 6 from Papua New Guinea. All provenances survived well (> 66%) but they differed significantly (P < 0.01) in their growth performance after 6 months. Half of the provenances tested had more than 50% of their trees with single stems. Queensland provenances generally grew faster than those from Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea. For timber production, four Queensland provenances (Archer River, Coen River, Wenlock River and Kings Plain), three Northern Territory provenances (Noogoo Swamp, Douglas River and E. Alligator River), and a Papua New Guinean provenance (Old Tonda Village) were identifzed as promising

Incidence of fern contamination in nodal segment cultures of Shorea parvifolia dyer

The greatest drawback in large scale micropropagation of tropical woody forest species is high contamination of cultures. In developing a sterilization protocol for micropropagation of Shorea parvifolia Dyer utilizing nodal segments excised from nursery-grown seedlings, it was found that washing 20% (v/v) with Clorox solution for 18 minutes was the best. After six weeks of culture in WPM media supplemented with 10-5 M BAP (apart from fungal and bacterial contamination), the nodal segments developed hair-like structures which were amenable to subculture. Upon subculture, green leafy structures developed from the mass of hairy structure after six weeks. These later developed into ferns which are normally found as epiphytes on older forest trees, known as Asplenium nidus