FOLLOSCO, MINDA P. Biology Department, De La Salle University, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila 1004 PHILIPPINES. - Clonal propagation of Tectona philippinensis Bentham et Hooker f. ex Merrill of Family Verbenaceae.
Clonal propagation was successfully achieved in Tectona
philippinensis Bentham et Hooker f. ex Merrill (Verbenaceae). The
Philippine teak is endemic and famous for its high quality timber. Its
restricted distribution and its presence in highly vulnerable habitat
have rendered the plant population very low, thus the World
Conservation Monitoring Center in 1992 declared its global status,
rare and endangered. Both untreated and treated cuttings in various
concentration levels of Indolebutyric acid (IBA) and
alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) responded to rooting under misted
condition in polyethylene enclosures. Response at 45 days was
manifested by formation of one or more adventitious roots with or
without laterals,and formation of callus and fissures near the treated
base. The latter, enabled many of the cuttings to be as healthy as
those that have adventitious roots. Cuttings also survived despite the
absence of roots, callus or fissures but were not as healthy and
vigorous as their counterparts. Percentage values for rooting,
callusing and fissure formation were high and were not significantly
different in all concentration levels of IBA and in the untreated
treatment. The number of cuttings which did not respond in the
untreated treatment, 100 and 250 ppm IBA was high and these were
significantly different (5% level, F-test) with the low values
obtained under 500, 750 and 1000 ppm of IBA. Survival was 95 % in
untreated cuttings and ranged from 97-100% in IBA-treated cuttings.
The difference was not significant. IBA- rather than NAA-treated
cuttings performed better with more number of large and green leaves
and with higher results in rooting, callusing and formation of
fissures. High concentrations of NAA at 750 and 1000 ppm greatly
reduced the survival, rooting, callusing and fissure formation in
cuttings. The study shows that Philippine teak is an easy-to-root
species and there is much hope for the success of re-introducing the
plant in its historical ranges of habitat.
Key words: Tectona phillipinensis, alpha-naphthaleneacetic acid, clonal propagation, endangered species, endemic species, Family Verbenaceae, indolebutyric acid