XI WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS

Antalya, Turkey, 13 to 22 October 1997


VOLUME 3, TOPIC 12


    TEAK TIMBER PRODUCTION IN INTENSIVELY MANAGED PLANTATIONS OF THE TROPICS

    K.M. Bhat1 and E.P. Indira1

    The scope for teak wood production in intensively managed plantations was examined with reference to timber quality. The data available currently on the effects of intensive practices are less than adequate for high input management. Nevertheless, they offer scope for intensive management in production of timber that is acceptable in the market. More research is warranted on the effects of wide spacing/thinning, fertilization, irrigation, shorter rotation, insect defoliation control and genetic manipulation. Attaining mechanical maturity of the timber at the age of 21 years shown in Indian plantations suggests that rotations can be reduced to this age if other harvesting requirements are not critical. The only anticipated problems in processing and utilisation of short rotation timber are reduced durability (due to lower proportion of heartwood/extractives) and lower grade/recovery of sawn wood and veneer (due to growth stresses in smaller diameter logs and higher proportion of knots). In fact, there exists opportunities for genetic improvement of basic properties such as specific gravity by exploiting tree-to-tree variation within the provenance rather than the variation between the local provenances of a region. However, it is cautioned that selection of specific gravity alone in genetic improvement of timber quality will be misleading due to its inconsistent relationships with mechanical properties. An international cooperative and integrated research programme is recommended among the teak producing countries for minimising taper, knot frequency and flutes and enhancing natural durability to meet the desired grade/log specifications for solid wood uses and veneer.

    Keywords: Tectona grandis L.f; intensive silviculture, clonal/provenance selection, heritability, genetic gain, wood properties.

    1 Divisions of Wood Science and Genetics, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi 680 653, Thrissur Dist. Kerala, India



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