Climatic data aid tree selection
Vegetative propagation research
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Which tree? Where?
Finding the most suitable species and provenance for a particular site is a puzzle for many foresters. The problem is especially serious in the many countries that are experiencing fuelwood shortages.
In some places native trees can be utilized, but in many locations introduced species offer greater productivity. Selecting appropriate trees for fuelwood trials is complex, as many promising species have not been widely tested.
New methods of climatic analysis being developed in Australia can assist in identifying species for testing. The techniques use recently developed mathematical methods, which can provide accurate estimates of long-term monthly mean temperature and rainfall at both natural and trial sites. This information can be used to develop detailed descriptions of species' climatic requirements.
Foresters have, of course, used climatic matching methods for many years, but the new methods can take much of the guesswork out of the procedure. Other factors, such as socio-economic needs, soil conditions and pest-disease hazards, must still be considered, but the climatic analysis can greatly simplify the problem.
More information on these methods can be obtained by writing to me at CSIRO Division of Forest Research, PO Box 4008, Queen Victoria Terrace, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia.
Dr Trevor H. Booth
I read with great interest the article by Jean Gorse entitled "Desertification in the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of West Africa" (Unasylva, 37 (150)). I was pleased to see the importance given to tree improvement and particularly to vegetative propagation, tissue culture techniques and mycorrhizas, as these very much represent our forestry research interests here and in Cameroon. It was interesting also to note in the following article by El Hadji Sène, that he thinks more work should be done with native species, again including vegetative propagation, as these have been our major species for research in tropical forestry.
Perhaps it would be useful if I summarize our interests:
(1) For some 12 years we have been doing studies to develop techniques of vegetative propagation and clonal selection of indigenous West African hardwoods. This work has concentrated on moist forest species, although we have tested our techniques on a range of arid zone species, with good success. I have recently completed a consultancy on tree improvement in Cameroon for their World Bank forestry project, spanning ecological zones from the rainforest to the Sahel.(2) Currently we are expanding into in vitro micropropagation techniques for the moist forest species, but I would very much like to develop contractual links with organizations interested in arid zone trees. So far the three species we have tried look very promising, one in particular being very amenable to meristem proliferation and rooting in vitro.
(3) With colleagues who have been studying the ecology and physiology of mycorrhizal associations in temperate trees and developing practical techniques to exploit the benefits of early-stage fungi, I am currently involved in a study to examine the mycorrhizas of indigenous moist forest hardwoods and to develop techniques to utilize them in forest nurseries. This is an area with enormous and virtually untapped potential which should also be extended to the savannah and Sahel zones. We hope we will become further involved in these studies in the future.
Roger Leakey
Natural Environment Research Council
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Edinburgh Research Station, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OQB, Scotland
