Lab for cloning forest tree seeds now in full operation

• Source: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2015/07/18/1478180/lab-cloning-forest-tree-seeds-now-full-operation
• Saturday, July 18, 2015 12:00 am

By Kristine B. Quintas / NSA (The Freeman)

CEBU, Philippines - Eyeing to boost the production of quality seedlings of premium and indigenous species, a clonal nursery facility in Minglanilla, Cebu is now in its full-blown operation.

The P4-million facility is expected to produce 30,000 clonelings and 60,000 seedlings from genetically superior trees to support the production and implementation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ National Greening Program.

The clonal laboratory is equipped with rooting house, preparation shed, powerhouse, water tanks, and recovery and hardening beds with misting system, among others.

The 700-square meter facility, DENR-7 director Dr. Isabelo Montejo said will ensure food source while addressing the effects of climate change.

“Our intention is to produce high quality planting materials for the NGP requirements in the region as we set aggressive greening efforts purposely to reduce poverty while ensuring food security, biodiversity conservation and address climate change,” he said.

DENR-7, through the Biodiversity, Coastal, Wetlands and Ecotourism Research Center (BCWERC), recently inaugurated the planting nursery at the Experimental Forest Station in Minglanilla. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

The inauguration was led by Montejo, acting director for Ecosystems Research Development Bureau (ERDB) Dr. Henry Adornado, BCWERC Center head Dr. Alicia Lustica and Minglanilla Mayor Elenito Peña, who expressed support for the greening program.

The officials signed a pledge of commitment to revitalize, strengthen, and sustain the management and protection of the experimental forest.

Two other clonal nurseries were turned over by the DENR-7 to the Bohol Island State University in Bilar, Bohol and to Negros Oriental State University in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental in 2013.

PROCESS

Forest trees have seeds that fall down and in a week’s time that nothing grows out from these seeds, it becomes difficult to propagate, so the only thing to do is cloning, said DENR-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo.

The collected seeds shall be used for mass propagation of seedlings to augment those needed by the different provincial and community Environment and Natural Resources Offices in the region for NGP and for disposal to public and private individuals.

In the nursery, trees are not allowed to grow big but only up to about three feet, said Llamedo.

Cuttings from these trees are then taken, soaked overnight in growth hormone, then put in a growth chamber. Roots come out after a week and are transferred to plastic bags.

“It will use a Molave or any native tree species cuttings without the use of hormones,” said Llamedo.

The seeds are packed with complete label such as common name, scientific name, seed source, seed count per kilogram and other vital information for record purposes.

The method produces tree seedlings that are genetically identical to their parent-tree on a year round basis, making it far more efficient and faster than the conventional method which makes use of seeds from fruits.