DENR-7 implements tree improvement program

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources -7 through the Ecosystems Research and Development Service (ERDS) is now implementing a five-year tree improvement program for indigenous and endangered species in Central Visayas.

DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Isabelo R. Montejo said that this intends to establish sustainable sources of superior seeds and vegetative materials of indigenous and endangered species for seedling production, rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation, and commercial production with greater yield and high survival rate.

With an initial allocation of more than P300,000, five species are up for mass production in five years, namely, mamalis or Pittosporum pentandrum; narra or Pterocarpus indicus; almaciga or Agathis philippinensis Warb; molave or Vitex parviflora, and dipterocarp and other  important indigenous species that are available region wide.

Tree improvement is the application of genetic principles to attain faster rate of growth, disease resistance and high-quality tree plantations.

Citing a scarce supply of indigenous species, Montejo wanted these demand-driven and lightly distributed species to be available for biodiversity conservation and at the same time mitigate climate change.

Premium species like narra, molave, ipil and other important species are also scarce and can only be found in remote areas of the region.

Montejo, in a statement, said that this project complements our continuing efforts to attain the objectives of the national greening program while addressing the need for quality seedlings.

The scarcity of these species has resulted to difficulty of producing planting materials of indigenous species plus the absence of appropriate technology for its massive production.  –/MIT (FREEMAN)