RP scientist clones local teak variety

There is hope for one of the endangered plant species in the Philippines, thanks to cloning. As a result of a research study by Dr. Minda Follosco-Edmiston, biology professor of De La Salle University-Manila, the Philippine teak gets another chance to be removed from the list of rare and endangered plants species.

Edmiston has been studying the Philippine teak (Tectona philippinensis), one of the only three known teak species in the world. An endemic tree species, its occurrence had been documented only in Ilin Island, Mindoro and in Lobo, Batangas. To date, it is only in the latter where few trees and wildlings can be found. The species population is threatened by habitat destruction and over collection as high quality timber. The global conservation status of the species was rated endangered both in the 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the World List of Threatened Trees (Oldfield et.al., 1998; Walter and Gillett, 1998).

The Philippine teak is a small to medium-sized tree reaching a height of 15 meters and a diameter of 50 centimeters. Its yellowish or creamy-white, fine textured, cross-grained hardwood is often substituted for molave wood. It is used in the construction of bridges, wharves, railway carriage, ship decks, wood carving, and also in general carpentry. Decoction of the tree’s fresh or dried leaves is prescribed for menstrual disorders and hemorrhages.

To date, only a few trees and wildlings can be found on the steep rocky hillside of Lobo, Batangas. Upland farming (kaingin) and timber harvesting, considered anthropogenic activities, as well as unfavorable soil conditions continue to threaten the Philippine teak.

With the help of Edmiston, teak stem cuttings were recently produced and delivered to two provinces of Luzon region – Nueva Ecija and Quezon. The study involved cloning propagation method using plant growth regulators, which allowed the plants to multiply rapidly. Both untreated and treated young stem cuttings in various concentrations responded to rooting under misted condition in polyethylene enclosures.

It takes 45 days for the young stem cuttings to form extra roots, while a few form callus and/ fissures at the treated base. The latter also form roots after a week or two. However, more recent findings have shown that under favorable conditions, 100 percent of the cuttings can be obtained in 21 days after treatment. Thousands of planting materials have been distributed to Nueva Vizcaya, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, and Marinduque.

Inspired by the results of the research projects, and to also contribute to the community, the Nueva Vizcaya State Institute of Technology (NVSIT) of Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and DLSU-Manila signed a memorandum of agreement for a long-term project called the "Genetic Conservation of the Philippine Teak."

The project seeks the active participation of the farmers living in a 500-hectare watershed area in Maslog and residents of Vista Hills in Bayombong. Planting of the teak will be done in government-owned forest lands. Because benefits from teak planting are not immediate, farmers will rely on intrcropping of cash crops such as corn, eggplant, and sweet potato for livelihood.

Called "Genetic Conservation of Teak Tree," NVSIT’s project seeks the active participation of the farmers. Primarily, the project requires farmers to plant the teak stem cuttings on the government-owned forestlands. Because benefits from teak planting are not immediate, the University advocates an inter-cropping of cash crops such as corn, eggplant, camote, and pechay for the local families, livelihood.

In the province of Quezon, Dr. Gil Villancio, research coordinator for teak genetic conservation, has pursued a similar initiative. With funding of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he has led the outplanting of teak stem cuttings in Real, his hometown.

Meantime, Edmiston said there are plans to reintroduce the plant to its historical ranges of habitat such as Southern Batangas and Iling Island, South of Mindoro. Her study indicates that the cloning procedure will, in 10 years, keep the Philippine teak from being endangered. With proper management, teak tree development may yet become a multi-billion dollar industry.

Edmiston finished her PhD Botany in 1996 at the University of the Philippines. She specializes in plant propagation.