Introduction production were selected based on their abundance and availability.

The
indigenous tree species and the plants for the growing media are identified
in Table 1.
The capability of locally available growing media/substrates to
produce healthy, vigorous and robust wildlings from indigenous species in the Table 1
Western Mindanao State University experimental forest area was assessed Floral Species Used in the Study
and evaluated in this study. Sturdy wildlings (or seedlings), when planted
in the field, will have a higher and better chance of surviving the strenuous Commercially Important Indigenous Cuttings (Plants) for Growing Media
environmental conditions existing therein (Stape, 2001). With the very fast Tree Species
rate of tree consumption in the forest, there is a need for a good supply of
regenerative material. It would be best if more seedlings would survive in CN: Ulaian CN: Palo Verde
the field. Reforestation activities will be a success. This will assure a definite SN: Lithocarpus pruinosa SN: Piper arborecens
supply of trees and its by-products in the future. Furthermore, the presence FN: Fagaceae FN: Piperaceae
of more trees would mean trapping more CO2 leading to cleaner air, lesser air CN: Bagtikan CN: Agsam Vine
pollution, reducing the impacts of global warming and climate change. SN: Parashorea malaanonan (Blanco SN: Dicranopteris linearis Burm.
The study aimed to produce healthy planting materials (indigenous Merr.) FN: Aspleniaceae
species with economic importance), for tree planting activities, from wildlings FN: Dipterocarpaceae
collected within the Western Mindanao State University Experimental Forest CN: Mala-almaciga CN: Hagonoi
Area (WMSU – EFA) at Barangay La Paz, Zamboanga City. Specifically, the SN: Podocarpus blumei Endl. SN: Chromolaena odorata linn
study tried to identify five (5) commercially important indigenous tree species FN: Podocarpaceae FN: Compositae
in the WMSU-EFA and collect sixty (60) wildlings for each species; to enhance
CN: Malaruhat-pula
and/or improve the collected wildlings in a make-shift nursery shed through
SN: Syzygium decipiens
the application of five (5) different growing media or substrates; and to
FN: Myrtaceae
monitor and evaluate the growth (basal diameter and apical height) of the
wildlings in the various growing media or substrates. CN: Almaciga
SN: Agathis philippensis
FN: Araucariaceae
Method

Sixty wildlings of Ulaian (Lithocarpus pruinosa), Bagtikan

The study was conducted at Km 14 of the WMSU – EFA, Upper La
Paz, Zamboanga City. It is situated in the west coast of the City and is about
14 km north of Barangay Ayala, a coastal barangay about 10 km from the
City. Geographically , the area lies between 7°01 and 7°06 latitude and 121°
58 '30” to 122°02’30” longitude. The area is dominated by dipterocarp
species and other pioneer species within the remaining patches of forest land
(Barre 1995).
Five (5) commercially important indigenous tree species were
identified through a triangulation method using interview of key–informants,
review of inventory records of the Center for Upland Ecosystem management
(CUEM) of the College of Forestry and Environmental Studies (CFES) and
ocular inspection of the area. Three (3) plants for growing media (substrates)
96 Research Journal January 2011 - June 2011
(Parashorea malaanonan (Blanco Merr.), Mala-almaciga (Podocarpus
blumei Endl.), Malaruhat-pula (Syzygium decipiens) and Almaciga (Agathis
philippensis) were collected in the experimental forest and used as
the seedlings for the study. The collected wildlings were placed in 8” X
12” potting bags filled with the prepared growing medium (substrate).
Palo verde (Piper arborecens), agsam vine (Dicranopteris linearis
Burm.) and hagonoi (Chromolaena odorata linn) plant parts were collected,
chopped, air dried and kept in dry place. Top soil were collected within the
vicinity, cleaned, air dried and kept in a dry place. The growing media/
substrates, i.e., top soil mixed with palo verde, agsam vine, and hagonoi
cuttings, top soil with hormex solution and top soil only as control, were prepared
following the prescribed proportion and placed in the polyethylene bags.
Volume 30 No. 1 97
 The study employed twenty five (25) treatments, with four Table 3
(4) seedlings per treatment, replicated three (3) times. Five (5) Description/Importance of the Identified Indigenous Tree Species
indigenous tree species (with commercial importance) were raised
in five (5) different growing media and/or substrates (See Table 2). Nomenclature Image Description/Importance
Table 2 CN: Ulaian Ulaian is a small to medium
Species and Growing Media/Substrates Used in the Study SN: Lithocarpus pruinosa tree for general construction
FN: Fagaceae purposes.

Label Species # Label Substrate Mixture

CN: Bagtikan A member of the white
Top soil with palo verde SN: Parashorea Philippine Mahogany group,
S1 Ulaian 60 M1 1:1
cuttings malaanonan (Blanco Merr) Bagtikan is classified as a large
Top soil with agsam vine FN: Dipterocarpaceae tree, reaching a height of
S2 Bagtikan 60 M2 1:1
cuttings 50-60 meters and an average
Top soil with hagonoi DBH of 100 centimeters. The
S3 Mala-almaciga 60 M3 1:1 wood is a good construction
cuttings
material, as well as for
Top soil with hormex As cabinet and furniture making
S4 Malaruhat-pula 60 M4
solution prescribed interior finishing, veneer and
Control (top soil from the pulpwood, boat planking,
S5 Almaciga 60 M5
area) framing, papermaking and
TOTAL 300 particleboard manufacture.

CN: Mala almaciga Mala-almaciga is a large

SN: Podocarpus blumei tree, reaching approximately
Make-shift nurseries were constructed in the area. Three 2.5
Endl. 50 meters in height, with
meters by 2.5 meters blocks were established. The treatments were
FN: Podocarpaceae 60 centimeters DBH and a
randomly arranged in the blocks following the procedures established
clear bole up to 30 meters.
in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) by Gomez (n.d.).
The wood is used for house
The basal diameter and height (apical bud) of the wildlings in each
construction and carving,
treatment and replications were measured and recorded quarterly. Other
household utensils, flooring
parameters, like number of leaves, twigs and rachis were also observed.
and for pulp and papermaking.
The seedlings were regularly monitored and maintained. The data were
analyzed through the appropriate statistical tools provided by Gomez (n.d.). CN: Malaruahat-pula Malaruhat-pula is classified as
SN: Syzgium decipiens a small to medium tree but
FN: Myrtaceae with very hard wood used for
Results house construction, beams,
posts, flooring, window sills,
cabinet work, furniture, tool
Five (5) indigenous tree species with commercial importance were handles, etc.
identified. Their respective images, description and importance are presented
in Table 3.

98 Research Journal January 2011 - June 2011 Volume 30 No. 1 99

Table 3
(continued)
Nomenclature Image Description/Importance
CN: Almaciga Almaciga is a large tree,
SN: Agathis philippensis reaching a height of 60 meters
FN: Araucariaceae or more with a DBH of 100 cms
or more. It has a grayish brown
bark with large, flat, angular
scales that looks like a jigsaw
puzzle, with a cylindrical, straight
and clear bole. The wood is
good for pulpwood, paneling,
rulers, engineering instruments,
household utensils, prosthesis,
pulp and papermaking. The
tree is also known for its resins
(Manila copal), which is used in
the manufacture of high-grade
glossy varnish and lacquer.
Growth Increment in Basal Diameter
100 Research Journal January 2011 - June 2011
Ulaian (Lithocarpus pruinosa) grown in top soil with hormex solution
exhibited the highest average growth in basal diameter (BD) at 0.95cm. This
was followed by Bagtikan (Parashorea malaanonan Blanco Merr.) grown in the
four media/substrates, i.e., top soil with agsam vine cuttings with 0.91cm BD,
control with 0.87cm BD, top soil with hormex solution with 0.85cm BD and
top soil with palo verde cuttings with 0.75cm BD. Ulaian and Malaruhat-pula
(Syzygium decipiens) exhibited the same BD growth increment in the control
at 0.73cm. Bagtikan grown in top soil with hagonoi cuttings exhibited 0.67cm
growth in BD while Ulaian grown in agsam vine and hagonoi substrates grew
by 0.55cm and 0.54cm respectively.
The Mala-almaciga (Podocarpus blumei Endl.) wildlings exhibited the
least growth in basal diameter in the five growing media, with only 0.35cm,
0.29cm, 0.27cm 0.26cm and 0.25cm BD growth in top soil with hagonoi
cuttings, top soil with agsam vine cuttings, control, top soil with palo verde
cuttings and top soil with hormex solution respectively.
Table 4 revealed that the difference in the mean growth increment
in the basal diameter among the five indigenous species (A) was highly
significant but was only significantly different at p < .05 when compared with
the growing media/substrates (B).
When the computed F(A) value was compared with the tabular F
values (with f1=4 and f2=48 degrees of freedom) of 2.56 at p < .05 and 3.74
at p < .01, the result indicated that the main effect of factor A (indigenous
species) was highly significant. There was a significant variation in the growth
performance in the basal diameter between indigenous species (A) but the
variation was not as significant among the various soil media (B). At p < .05,
the indigenous species were affected by the soil media applied. The soil media
effects differed significantly with the indigenous species tested. However, the
effect of both indigenous species and soil media was not significant ( See
Table 4).
Volume 30 No. 1 101
Table 4 Ulaian (Lithocarpus pruinosa) grown in top soil only (control) had the
Analysis of Variance for Basal Diameter from a 5x5 Factorial Experiment in highest growth increment in the apical growth (AG) at 59.12cm. This was
RCBD followed by Bagtikan (Parashorea malaanonan Blanco Merr.) grown in top soil
with hagonoi cuttings and in the control medium with 53.71cm and 53.61cm
Degree Tabular F AG, respectively. Ulaian and Bagtikan grown in top soil with hormex solution
Source of Sum of Mean Computed came in next with 50.77cm and 49.18cm AG, respectively. Bagtikan in palo
of
Variation Square Square F 5% 1% verde cuttings grew by 45.49cm in height while Malaruhat-pula (Syzygium
Freedom
decipiens) in soil with hormex solution and Ulaian in hagonoi cuttings exhibited
Replication 2 0.08392 0.04196 1.62289ns 3.19 5.08 44.24cm and 42.63cm AG, respectively. Ulaian and Bagtikan grown in agsam
Treatment 24 3.3013 0.13755 5.3205** 1.74 2.20 vine cuttings exhibited 40.58cm and 36.79cm AG, respectively.
Indigenous The Mala-almaciga (Podocarpus blumei Endl.) wildlings exhibited the
species (A) (4) 2.4523 0.61308 23.7134** 2.56 3.74 least development in apical growth with only 21.26cm, 18.31cm, 17.95cm
Medium/ 17.61cm and 13.88cm AG on top soil with hagonoi cuttings, agsam vine
Substrate (B) (4) 0.32969 0.082420 3.18802* 2.56 3.74 cuttings, control, top soil with hormex solution and top soil with palo verde
AxB (16) 0.5293 0.03246 1.25538ns 1.86 2.40 cuttings respectively.
Error 48 1.24097 0.02585 Table 5 on growth increment in apical height showed that the
computed F(A) value of 32.61156 was highly significant when compared with
Total 74 4.62619 the tabular F values (with f1=4 and f2=48 degrees of freedom) of 2.56 at p <
.05 and 3.74 at p < .01. The results indicated that the main effect of factor (A)
indigenous species was significant at p < .01. However, the results showed
a non-significant interaction between indigenous species and growing media,
Growth Increment in Height indicating that indigenous species’ difference in height was not significantly
affected by the different growing media applied and that growing media did
not differ significantly with the indigenous species tested.

Table 5
ANOVA of the Growth Increment in Apical Height

Degree Tabular F
Source of Sum of Mean Computed
of
Variation Square Square F 5% 1%
Freedom
replication 2 59.72354 29.86177 0.416105ns 3.19 5.06
treatment 24 12106.09 504.4204 7.028788** 1.74 2.20
species (A) 4 9361.463 2340.366 32.61156** 2.56 3.74
medium (B) 4 1155.89 288.9725 4.026654** 2.56 3.74
AXB 16 1588.737 99.29606 1.38363ns 1.86 2.40
Error 48 3444.716 71.76492
Total 74 15610.53

102 Research Journal January 2011 - June 2011 Volume 30 No. 1 103
Growth Performance of Indigenous Wildlings
The sub-samples for four (4) indigenous species attained 100%
survival in the make shift nursery. From the 25 treatments considered in
the study, eight (8) treatments showed good growth performance. Ulaian,
Bagtikan and Almaciga (Agathis philippensis) wildlings grown in agsam vine
cuttings attained 100% survival. The Bagtikan and Mala-almaciga wildlings
grown in hagonoi cuttings also attained 100% survival. Almaciga grown in
top soil with palo verde cuttings and on top soil only (control) and Bagtikan
grown in top soil with hormex solution likewise attained 100% survival.
Mala-almaciga grown in agsam vine cuttings exhibited the highest
mortality, with all the four (4) sub-samples dying in the make shift nursery.
This was followed by those grown in top soil with hormex solution and in the
control with 75% mortality, and those grown in palo verde cuttings with 50%
mortality. Ulaian grown in top soil with hormex solution and in the control, as
well as Almaciga grown in top soil with hormex solution had 25% mortality.
Malaruhat-pula grown in top soil with agsam vine cuttings showed the
highest event of seedling diseases at 41.67% while those grown in top soil with
palo verde cuttings and hormex solution came in next at 40% disease rate.
104 Research Journal January 2011 - June 2011
Discussion
From the identified indigenous tree species, Almaciga (Agathis
philippensis), a premium species, emerged to be the one with the best
economic potential. Its resins, known as Manila copal, are used in
manufacturing high-grade glossy varnish and lacquer. Its lumber and other
by-products command a high price in the market. Furthermore, upland
dwellers use parts of the tree to start a fire for cooking purposes. Bagtikan
(Parashorea malaanonan Blanco Merr.) and Mala-almaciga (Podocarpus
blumei) are known for its lumber for construction purposes. Upland
dwellers use Malaruhat-pula (Syzygium decipiens) and Ulaian (Lithocarpus
pruinosa) for posts and other construction purposes on their farmlots.
Although Ulaian (Lithocarpus pruinosa) registered the highest growth
increment in the basal diameter (BD), it was planted on a soil medium mixed
with hormex solution. As a wildling supported with a growth hormone, this
is most likely to happen. It is interesting to note, however, that Bagtikan
(Parashorea malaanonan Blanco Merr.), a dipterocarp species, exhibited
good BD growth in the four (4) growing media, i.e., top soil with agsam vine
cutting, control, top soil with hormex solution and top soil with palo verde
cuttings. This means that Bagtikan can be a potential reforestation species
as it can exhibit a fast lateral growth during its seedling stage. This ability
will be an advantage during the early stages of growth as it will allow the
seedling to compete for the much needed ground space from the other plants,
particularly grasses, growing in the vicinity. This is good since the survival
of this species will promise us a source of good quality lumber in the future.
Among the five (5) indigenous species, Malaruhat-pula
(Syzygium decipiens) exhibited the least growth in basal diameter,
indicating that this species grows very slowly in its lateral growth during
its seedling stage and should be avoided for reforestation activities.
In terms of apical growth, Ulaian (Lithocarpus pruinosa), in
top soil only (control), outgrew all the other species. Since the medium
is a control, this means that this species can be a potential reforestation
species as it can grow vertically fast on its seedling stage, a property
good in the field so that the seedling can outgrow the grasses dominating
therein. It is likewise interesting to note that Bagtikan (Parashorea
malaanonan) exhibited fast vertical growth during the seedling stage.
Hence, like the Ulaian, it will also be a potential reforestation species.
Volume 30 No. 1 105
 The Mala-almaciga (Podocarpus blumei) group did not grow
well in terms of height. At such rate, it will easily be outgrown by
grasses, like cogon, on the field, thereby reducing its chances of
survival. This species should not be used for reforestation activities.
Among the eight treatments that had 100% survival,
three were Bagtikan (Parashorea malaanonan) species grown in
agsam vine, hagonoi cuttings and top soil with hormex solution. This
further supported the idea that Bagtikan is a good reforestation
species. On the other hand, Mala-almaciga (Podocarpus blumei) is
not a good reforestation species as the rate of survival is quite low.
Albeit the top soil and agsam vine cuttings were good growing
media for Ulaian (Lithocarpus pruinosa), Bagtikan and Almaciga (Agathis
philippensis); there was no significant difference among the growing media
as to the growth performance in the basal diameter and apical height of the
indigenous species.
Natural resources currently face multifarious pressures, ranging from
the impacts of the rapid harvesting and collection due to increase in demand
as influenced by the growing human population and the impacts of natural
processes as influenced by global warming and climate change. Trees and
timber resources are not exempted from these pressures. These impacts led
to the degradation of biological ecosystems including land ecosystems. To
counter the impacts of climate change and global warming, and to assure
carbon sequestration and adequate timber supply in the future, we need
to plant trees. To assure a higher rate of survival, we have to raise sturdy
seedlings. Hence, this study is of great importance.
Endemic species should be used in reforestation activities as this
approach will ensure higher success rates since the species will be compatible
with the site. The use of endemic species should be considered on future
studies. The use of other propagation techniques may also be conducted on
similar studies in the future.
Barre, A. S. (1995). Environmental impacts of land use systems within the
Western Mindanao State University experimental forest at Upper La
Paz, Zamboanga City. WMSU Research Journal, 18 (1).
ERDS Technology Transfer Series (1995). Palo Verde, IV (3).
Gomez, K. et al.(n.d.). Statistical procedures for agricultural research. 2nd
edition. An IRRI Book. Wiley – Interscience Publication. John Wiley
and Sons.
Gregorio, N. et al. (n.d.).Developing the best management practice
guide for high quality seedling production in smallholder nurseries.
Retrieved from http://www.google.com/espace.library.uq.edu.au/
eserv/UQ:242924/NG09.pdf
Silviculture in the tropics: Edited by SG Nter, S Günter, M Weber, B Stimm,
R Mosandl (n.d.). Retrieved from http://books.google.com.ph/books/
about/Silviculture_in_the_Tropics.html?id=4Xw0ArgjQHsC&redir_
esc=y
Stape, J. L., et al. (2001). Relationships between nursery practices and field
performance for eucalyptus plantations in Brazil. New Forests, 22 (1-
2). Retrieved from http://www.springerlink.com/content/
p3551g0360132146/

References

Adjers, G. & Otsamo, A. (1996). Seedling production methods of dipterocarps

in dipterocarp forest ecosystems: Towards sustainable management.
Retrieved from http://books.google.com.ph/book/about/Dipterocarp_
forest_ecosystems.html?id=oHNzvs02F5wC&redir_esc=y

106 Research Journal January 2011 - June 2011 Volume 30 No. 1 107