Tectona Philippinensis Benth
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Volume 7 Issue 2 April 2014 Visit of Teak Researchers from Research INSIDE THIS ISSUE Institute of Tropical Forestry, Guangzhou, Visit of Teak Researchers from Research Chinese Academy of Forestry Institute of Tropical Forestry, Guangzhou, Chinese Academy of Forestry 1 Wood Anatomy of Naturally Grown Philippine A team of four teak researchers from the Research Institute of Teak (Tectona philippinensis Benth. & Hook. f.) 2 Tropical Forestry (RITF), Chinese Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China visited TEAKNET and Prices of Plantation Teak Imported to India 10 KFRI during 24 February - 1 March 2014. The research team TEAKNET Directory Online Form 10 consisted of Prof. Liang Kunnan, Prof. Zhou Zaizhi, Dr. Ma Huaming and Dr. Huang Guihua. Their visit was part of a training programme and study tour organized by TEAKNET to Editorial the important teak growing areas of South India with particular In this issue, we bring you an interesting emphasis on teak genetic improvement, silviculture and article on the endemic Philippine teak, Tectona utilization of harvested wood products. During the visit, the philippinensis with respect to its anatomy and team had a meeting with teak researchers of KFRI and the utilization. A brief highlight of the visit of Chi- Institute of Forest Genetics & Tree Breeding (IFGTB), nese scientists to TEAKNET is also included. Coimbatore. Readers may be interested to note that the next World Teak Conference 2015 will be held in Ecuador, South America and you can expect the first announcement in mid-April 2014. TEAKNET website has been updated and readers are welcome to visit us on www.teaknet.org. As usual, information on teak price in international market is provided in the Bulletin. We look forward to receiving articles of interest to teak growers, traders and researchers to be shared among the teak community. With warm regards P.K. Thulasidas TEAKNET Coordinator Interaction meeting with scientists of Kerala Forest Research Institute Read more on page 9 WoodWood AnatomyAnatomy ofof NaturallyNaturally GrownGrown PhilippinePhilippine TeakTeak ((TectonaTectona philippinensisphilippinensis Benth.Benth. && Hook.Hook. f.)f.) Arsenio B. Ella, Emmanuel P. Domingo and Florena B. Samiano Researchers, Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), College, Laguna 4031 Philippines Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Abstract Philippine teak (Tectona philippinensis Benth. & Hook. f.) is the country’s endemic forest tree species belonging to the family Verbenaceae, predominantly found in dry and exposed ridges of Lobo, Batangas. The wood of Philippine teak is classified as comparatively heavy and durable and can be substituted for Molave (Vitex parviflora Juss.). The local residents in Batangas utilized them for posts and general construction as a substitute for Molave. Its po- tential as first class timber has not yet been investigated. Study of the basic wood anatomical and morphological characteristics would ultimately lead to the optimum utilization of the species. Macroscopic observations and other physical attributes showed that the wood of Philippine teak is light yellow, grain is slightly wavy and texture is fine, glossy, hard and heavy. Fiber measurements indicate that Philippine teak is medium-sized and thin-walled. Rays are observed to be of two kinds: uniseriate and multiseriate and are classified as extremely low. Philippine teakwood could be differentiated from teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) with the former having smaller pores and thinner rays. The most common anatomical features of the two Tectonas are the presence of whitish deposits and tyloses. The study addresses a gap in technical information that will lead to harnessing the potential of the Philippine teak. Being heavy and hard with relative density 0.710 indicates that Philippine teak could be a strong potential for use as a structural timber. Results of the study could possibly lead to establishments of plantations for raw materials and benefit the researchers, Batangas farmers and wood-using industries to maximize the utilization of Philippine teak not only in raw form but also in engineered and other finished products. Introduction At present, there is a growing interest among Filipino scientists and educators to utilize fully the country’s endemic forest tree species like Philippine teak (Tectona philippinensis Benth. & Hook. f.) of the family Verbenaceae. The species is predominantly found in dry exposed ridges of South-Eastern Batangas, particularly the municipality of Lobo and San Juan. The species is less popular compared to teak (Tectona grandis L.f.). The wood of Philippine teak is classified as comparatively heavy and durable and can be used as substitute for Molave (Vitex parviflora Juss.). The local residents in Batangas utilized them for posts and general construction often substituted for Molave and Dungon (Heritiera sylvatica Vidal.) for building Spanish galleons. It serves to protect forests particularly on deep ravine or relief susceptible to landslide and soil, as well as coastal zone stabilizer. Woody stem is used locally as building material, tables, stairways, benches and flooring. The wood of Philippine teak resembles that of Batitinan [Lagerstroemia pyriformis Kohne forma batitinan (Vidal) Furt Sris.]. The latter, however, does not have the odor and the greasy feel of the former. Earlier investigation conducted by Read more on page 3 Teaknet Bulletin 7(2):2014 Page 2 of 10 Continued from page 2 Merrill (1923) revealed that the species is found in thickets and secondary forests at low altitudes in Batangas, Iling Island (Mindoro) and Mt. Makiling (Laguna). The species was first collected by English botanist Hugh Cuming in Batangas between 1836-1840 and verified to be extant in 1987 by Ridsdal and Reynoso and last observed extant by Madulid in November 1989. So far, Lobo in Batangas is the only verified and documented habitat of Philippine teak (Fig. 1). Natural stands of the species were observed in Barangays Nagtoctoc, Banalo, Haybanga and Mabilog na Bundok by Pangga in 1993. Further, the species is still found in the remaining patches of molave forest while others are found in ravine and abyss or on the relief limestone hills with slopes ranging from 18 to 300. No medicinal or other economic use of the species is so far recorded. Earlier studies focused more on the propagation of Philippine teak by direct seeding, bare-root wildings and cuttings. Generalao et. al. (1970) revealed the propagation by cutting was found to be more feasible and successful than the two other modes of propagation. Recent study by Pangga (1993) on propagation showed that nicking method for viability test may damage the seed of Philippine teak. Nicking was done to let water enter the viable seeds to break dormancy. She further suggested that wilding should be potted and allowed to harden for one month before actual field planting. No comprehensive studies have been reported on the wood anatomy of Philippine teak. In the same manner, literature on the variations in structural wood anatomical properties within and between trees are scarce. In other words, its potential as a first-class timber has not been fully studied. Study of the basic wood anatomical properties would ultimately lead to the optimum utilization of the species. Figure 1. Map of Batangas Province showing collection site of experimental log materials for the study. Read more on page 4 Teaknet Bulletin 7(2):2014 Page 3 of 10 Continued from page 3 Objectives 1. To study the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of naturally grown Philippine teak and determine their distinct features that could possibly help in their identification; and 2. To identify other potential uses of Philippine teak according to its anatomical properties. Materials and methods Field sampling Three experimental trees of naturally grown Philippine teak were collected in Barangay Sawang, Lobo, Batangas. For each tree, three (3) meters long bolt were taken representing the height levels (butt, middle and top portions). Bolts were labeled with corresponding tree number and height levels. Discs 152 mm (6”) thick were cut from the end portion of each bolt where the anatomical (including fiber and vessel measurements) and physical properties specimens were taken. The remaining portion of the bolt, sticks or flitches of about 64 mm x 64 mm (2.5” x 2.5”) were sawn for testing the mechanical properties. Table 1. Collection data of experimental trees in Lobo, Batangas Merchantable height Tree No. DBH (cm) Total height (m) (m) 1 40 4.8 5.4 2 40 3.5 6.2 3 28 5.0 5.8 The log samples were transported to the FPRDI sawmill located in the University of the Philippines Los Baños – College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR) Campus, Los Baños, Laguna. These were processed into experimental/sample materials. Sampling scheme used in the study is presented in Fig. 3. Preparations of specimens/wood samples for various tests were conducted following the standard testing methods and procedures. Figure 2. Visual inspection and reconnaissance survey of experimental Philippine teak. Read more on page 5 Teaknet Bulletin 7(2):2014 Page 4 of 10 Continued from page 4 Laboratory sampling A. Sections for anatomical observa- tion and description Sample size of 1 x 1 x 2 cm cubical blocks were prepared from the three- inch material. The blocks were cleaned and boiled in water until softened (about 3 hours) and 25 µm sections were cut from transverse, radial and tangential faces on a sledge micro- tome. Transverse, tangential and radial sections of the wood were washed in 50, 75, 85 and 95% ethyl alcohol, respectively. Further, sections were rinsed in tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) and cleared in xylene. The sections were stained with Safranin “O” (prepared in 1% solution of methyl cellusolve and 50% ethyl alcohol). After 20-30 minutes, the sections were simultaneously Figure 3. Sampling scheme used in the study. differentiated and dehydrated with 95% alcohol to which 0.5% picric acid crystals were added for 10 seconds.