Rooting ability of cuttings relates to phylogeny, habitat preference and growth characteristics of tropical rainforest trees

• Published in: Forest ecology and management Vol. 168; no. 1; pp. 275 - 287
• Main Authors: Itoh, A., Yamakura, T., Kanzaki, M., Ohkubo, T., Palmiotto, P.A., LaFrankie, J.V., Kendawang, J.J., Lee, H.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.09.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Artificial regeneration. Forest nurseries. Planting; Biological and medical sciences; Cutting experiment; Dipterocarpaceae; Forestry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Rooting ability; Sarawak; Vegetative propagation; Vegetative propagation. Micropropagation; Asia; Malaysia; Sarawak; Vegetative propagation; Sarawak; Dipterocarpaceae; Cutting experiment; Rooting ability; Forest stand; Growth; Rain forest; Tropical zone; Interspecific comparison; Tropical rain forest; Tropical forest; Sapling (stand); Cutting(agronomy); Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Rubiaceae; Euphorbiaceae; Spermatophyta; Habitat; Annonaceae; Rooting; Lauraceae; Diameter; Plant height; Adaptation
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00742-3

The rooting ability of branch cuttings was evaluated for 100 tree species (including 41 families and 78 genera) collected in a tropical rainforest in Sarawak, Malaysia. Leafy cuttings of natural forest saplings were planted in a non-mist propagation system with IBA treatment. During the 6-month experiment, 66 species were rooted with an overall mean rooting percentage of 37.7% (range 0–100%). Species in the families Dipterocarpaceae and Lauraceae had a low rooting ability, whereas those in Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Annonaceae had a high rooting ability. Differences in rooting ability were related to species-specific mature sizes, diameter growth rates and habitat preferences. Species of smaller mature sizes and faster diameter growth rates showed better rooting ability. Species whose forest saplings sprouted more vigorously after experimental felling rooted better than those that showed less vigorous sprouting. Species whose habitats were on lower elevations, concave slopes, and/or clay-rich soils rooted significantly better than those that preferred opposite habitats or habitat generalists that showed no significant habitat preference. The implications of these relations are discussed from the viewpoint of saplings’ adaptation to physical damage in their natural habitats.