by Danish/FAO Forest Tree Seed Centre, 3050 Humlebaek, Denmark
SEED COLLECTION
Thailand
Seed of Pinus merkusii was collected from 16 localities in Thailand in March–May 1972 by the Danish/FAO Forest Tree Centre in cooperation with the Thai Forest Department and the Thai/Danish Teak and Pine Projects (see table 2).
Sumatra
Only small quantities of seed were extracted from the cones collected in Sumatra in July–August 1972. One of the most serious obstacles to gathering seed in any substantial quantity within the time limits of the expedition was to find sufficient cones at the right stage of maturity (brownish and unopened). This stage seems to be a short one, probably not more than a few days to a week and it is reached by a small percentage of the cones (1–5%) at a time, more or less throughout the year. During the 1972 expedition most of the cones collected were green. The quality of the seed was consequently poor. Results are given in table 1.
Java
A seed sample, collected from Pekalongon, Central Java, in June 1972 has been received by the Seed Centre in addition to the above collections. The seed will be included in the provenance trials (see table 2).
PROVENANCE TESTING
The seed collections in Thailand follow the principles of second stage provenance collections, representing intensive sampling of a limited part of the range.
Countries interested in seed samples for testing should contact the Danish/FAO Seed Centre.
The small amounts of seed from Sumatra are insufficient for international provenance trials. It is intended to make them available for establishment of seed stands at two locations outside their natural habitat in the hope that they will produce more seed than in Sumatra. This phenomenon has earlier been noted in Pinus merkusii in Java where seed production is much better than in Sumatra, probably because of the more distinct dry season which occurs there.
Table 1.
PINUS MERKUSII - COLLECTIONS 1972*
Sumatra-Java
| Lot No. | Region PROVENANCE | Latitude Longitude | Elevation m | Annual rainfall ** | Quantity g |
| Sumatra, Atjeh | |||||
| 2028 | BURNI TELONG | 4°43' N 96°50' E | 1350–1500 | approx. 2110 | 78.0 |
| 2029 | BRAH PANDJANG | 4°37' N 96°52' E | 1450–1600 | 2110 | 42.5 |
| 2030 | PENARON | 4°33' N 97°02' E | 600–1000 | 2416 | 86.0 |
| 2031 | BLANG RAKAL | 4°52' N 96°43' E | 500–600 | 2110 | 22.3 |
| 2032 | RADJAWALI | 4°43' N 96°45' E | 900–950 | 2110 | 20.0 |
| 2033 | BALEQ | 4°43' N 96°45' E | 900 | 2110 | 5.1 |
| Java | |||||
| 2027*** | W. PEKALONGAN | 7°10' S 109°10' E | 900 | ? | 32.8 |
* Not available for provenance trials
** Rainfall figures are the average for 5 years 1967–1971 for Takengon
*** One plus tree
Table 2.
PINUS MERKUSII - COLLECTIONS 1972
| Lot No. | Country PROVENANCE | Latitude Longitude | Elevation m | Annual rainfall mm | Quantity kg |
| Thailand: | |||||
| 2010 | MAE SANAM | 18°04' N 98°10' E | 1000–1100 | 1200–1400 | 1.0 |
| 2011 | KHUN LAO | 19°02' N 99°20' E | 780 | 1000–1200 | 0.3 |
| 2012 | MAE SUAI | 19°42' N 99°35' E | 680 | 1600–2000 | 0.5 |
| 2013 | PHAYAO (a) | 19°04' N 99°50' E | 840 | 1000–1200 | 1.5 |
| 2014 | PHAYAO (b) | 19°04' N 99°95' E | 450 | 1000–1200 | 1.5 |
| 2015 | KHUN TAN | 18°21' N 99°20' E | 790 | 1000–1200 | 1.5 |
| 2016 | DOI SAKET | 18°55' N 99°12' E | 400 | 1000–1200 | 1.0 |
| 2017 | PHRAO | 19°06' N 99°10' E | 800 | 1400–1600 | 1.5 |
| 2018 | FANG | 19°54' N 99°17' E | 450 | 1400–1600 | 1.5 |
| 2019 | PAI | 19°22' N 97°24' E | 700 | 1000–1200 | 1.5 |
| 2020 | MAE HONGSON | 19°07' N 97°59' E | 450 | 1200–1400 | 2.0 |
| 2021 | KHUN YUAM | 18°50' N 97°56' E | 530 | 1200–1400 | 1.5 |
| 2022 | MAE SOT | 16°43' N 98°49' E | 450 | 1000–1200 | 1.5 |
| 2023 | OMKOI | 17°52' N 98°20' E | 900 | 1200–1400 | 1.5 |
| 2024 | SURIN | 14°43' N 103°50' E | 180 | - | 1.5 |
| 2025 | UBON | 14°46' N 105°25' E | 240 | - | 1.0 |
| Java | |||||
| 2026 | W. PEXALONGAN | 7°10' S 109°10' E | 900 | - | 3.5 |
