Volume 9(2):2016 - TEAKNET

Volume 9

A brief report of the Partner Event on “Global Significance Teak- Present and Future” is given in the bulletin. Readers are requested to visit the webpage of TEAKNET www.teaknet.org for a detailed report and pictures.

Issue 2

April 2016

Brief highlights of a workshop conducted by Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi for farmers on teak cultivation is also given. A short article on a growerfriendly nursery technique - raising a teak nursery bed with an innovative use of newspaper, is included in the Bulletin. In addition, upcoming events and market price of plantation teak imported to India on C & F basis is reproduced for the benefit of readers based on the latest MIS report by ITTO.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

TEAKNET Partner Event: “Global Significance of Teak– Present and Future” at Asia Pacific Forestry Week 2016

1

Workshop on Teak Cultivation and Management for the 4 Farmers of Kerala Benefits of Using Paper to Cover Teak Nursery Beds

4

Upcoming Events

6

Prices of Plantation Teak Imported to India

7

We welcome your valuable contributions of news items of interest to teak growers, traders and researchers through our e-Newsletter. P.K. Thulasidas TEAKNET Coordinator

TEAKNET Partner Event “Global Significance of

Teak- Present and Future” at Asia Pacific Forestry Week 2016

Co-sponsored by IUFRO Teakwood Working Party (Div 5.06.02) and FAO of the United Nations

Editorial In the course of TEAKNET activities, we are happy to present the second issue of this year‟s Bulletin. TEAKNET is continuing its pursuit to develop the networking activities and has gained a specific role by organising a TEAKNET Partner Event in the Asia Pacific Forestry Week (APFW 2016) held in Pampanga, Philippines during 22-26 February 2016. As a part of promotional activities, TEAKNET set up an Exhibition booth at the conference venue to have an active interactions with the delegates and visitors at the APFW venue.

The Asia Pacific Forestry Week 2016 with the theme „ Growing Our Future‟ was successfully organised by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners in association with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the Republic of Philippines at the Fontana Convention Center, Clark Freeport Zone during 22-26 February 2016. During the Forestry Week, TEAKNET in association with IUFRO and FAO organised a Partner Event “Global Significance of Teak – Present and Future” on 24 February 2016 at Widus Hotel, Clark. Delegates from the Asia Pacific region and from other regions converged for the Partner Event to discuss the way forward in promoting teak ( Tectona grandis) as one of the major high-value tropical timber species. Dr. Michael Kleine, Dy. Executive Director from IUFRO Headquarters, Vienna chaired the session. Read more on page 2

Continued from page 1

As explained by Dr. P.K. Thulasidas, Coordinator of TEAKNET, the problems we face are two-fold: (a) the genetic diversity of natural teak forest is gradually eroding due to forest destruction and

(b) the genetic base of planted teak established in the past is rather narrow. This endanger its sustainability, particularly in view of new challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events.

Welcome Address by Michael, Kleine, Dy. Executive Director from IUFRO

Dr. Michael Kleine in his welcome address highlighted the significance of convening a Partner Event on Teak under Stream 1: Pathways to Prosperity: Future Trade and Markets of APFW 2016. The Session was attended by over 25 participants and five papers were presented. The highlights of the deliberations were as follows; Current trends show that global demand for and importance of Teak will significantly increase as a business opportunity for the private sector and thereby providing a means of income for smallholder farmers. Interest and investments in establishing teak plantations in many tropical countries have increased, mainly as a response to the decrease of log supply from natural teak forests due to the log export ban by Myanmar.

Presentation by P.K.Thulasidas, TEAKNET Coordinator

Doreen Goh, YSG Biotech, Malaysia on clonal teak plantations

Production of genetically improved quality planting stock is a pre-requisite for increased productivity of teak plantations in future and clonal teak plantations are gaining acceptance worldwide as highlighted by Dr. Doreen Goh from YSG Biotech, Sabah, Malaysia. The availability of timber from selected fast growing teak clones with straight bole form and greater heartwood content, is the way to overcome the market shortage arising from the ban of natural teak.

On teak market trends by Li Qiang, Systems / Market Analyst, ITTO, Japan Read more on page 3

Teaknet Bulletin 9(2):2016

Page 2 of 7


Mr. Li Qiang from ITTO, Japan presented the

The main points made include enhanced exchange

scenario of global teak trade and market trends in

of technical and operational experiences among

view of the log export ban by Myanmar and says

teak managers and scientists through TEAKNET;

that the future teak supply will be from plantations.

further genetic research on gene markers for

There exists huge price difference between natural

tracing teak genetic origins; careful design of

and plantation teak logs.

equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms for creating genetically

improved

planting

material

and

Against this background, the Global Teak Support

development of best practices of teak manage-

Programme

ment and its dissemination to farmers through

currently being formulated by IUFRO,

TEAKNET and FAO with the objectives to conserve

proper extension services.

the existing natural teak resources for future genetic

breeding

programmes

and

sustainable

management of planted teak, was presented by Dr. Michael Kleine from IUFRO HQ, Vienna.

Global Teak Support Programme by IUFRO, TEAKNET and FAO underway ! As part of the effort at conserving the teak genetic resources at a global level, IUFRO, TEAKNET and FAO has taken up a joint venture for a Global Teak Support by

the

International

Programme

funded

Tropical

Timber

Organisation (ITTO), Japan. The Programme will be launched soon.

Presentation by M.P. Sreelakshmy, TEAKNET Secretariat

During the initial phase of the Global Teak Support Programme funded by ITTO, a thorough analysis

Ms. M. P. Sreelakshmy from the TEAKNET Secretariat made a presentation on the services provided on a global scale with regard to the dissemination of information on all aspects of teak cultivation and management. There was a general agreement that this Network need to be further strengthened.

of

teak

management,

marketing

and

trade, participants provided comments and suggestions for consideration in the project design.

a group of scientists generating further inputs for this project. Overall, participants agreed that the joint initiative by IUFRO, TEAKNET and FAO will provide an important impetus in future efforts to conserve and sustainably manage the world‟s teak genetic resources.

Following the presentations by experts on various aspects

of past teak-related projects will be conducted by

Report by P.K. Thulasidas, Coordinator, TEAKNET

To view the PHOTO GALLERY of Asia Pacific Forestry Week 2016 kindly visit TEAKNET Facebook Page


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Workshop on Teak Cultivation and Management for Farmers of Kerala The Extension and Training Division of the Kerala Forest Research Institute conducted a Workshop on “Teak Cultivation

and Management” for a selected group of farmers of Kerala during 29 and 30 March 2016, respectively at Peechi and Nilambur campus of KFRI. About 44 farmers have been trained on various aspects of teak cultivation such as preparation of nursery

bed

for

raising

seedlings,

seed

handling

techniques, cloning of teak, establishment of teak plantations and silvicultural management. These selected farmers intend to cultivate teak in their small holdings/ home gardens during the current planting season in June-July. KFRI scientists served as resource persons and Dr. A. V. Raghu coordinated the training programme.

KFRI

periodically

conducts

such

training

programmes on Teak Cultivation and Management for the benefit

of

prospective

growers.

For

details

contact:

Programme Coordinator, Extension and Training Division, KFRI at [email protected]

Benefits of Using Newspaper to Cover Teak Nursery Beds U.M. Chandrashekara Scientist in-Charge, Kerala Forest Research Institute Sub Centre, Nilambur, Kerala, India Email: [email protected] Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) is one of the most favored timbers all over the world, since it has been used for many centuries for a variety of products and services. It is known for its strength, durability and maintaining attractive appearance. Obviously, teak is one of the most sought after hardwoods in the international market. The ever increasing need of teak timber has resulted in large scale plantations, both within and outside its range of natural distribution. It may be pointed out here that in almost all teak-growing countries the importance of farm lands and other private land holdings to supply teak wood is enhancing. In this context, easily adaptable nursery, cultivation, and management practices need to be developed and popularized. The purpose of this article is to present a teak growers‟ friendly nursery technique. After sowing the seeds of teak in nursery beds it has been a practice in Kerala to cover the soil with materials like foliage of gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) to avoid the displacement or exposure of germinating seeds. Scarcity of foliage led to use paddy straw to cover the nursery beds. However, even the availability of paddy straw is becoming less and the cost escalates. In background, an attempt has been made in Kerala Forest Research Institute Sub Centre, Nilambur, to assess the feasibility of using old newspapers to cover the teak nursery beds. The study was also extended to compare the germination percentage and initial height increment of teak seedlings and the initial weed biomass in teak beds covered by paddy straw and old newspaper. Read more on page 5


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Two thousand four hundred healthy seeds of teak were selected and subjected to pre- sowing treatment (alternate wetting and drying method). Later, 12 nursery beds were raised to 0.3 m above ground level and two hundred seeds per bed were sowed. While four beds were covered with paddy straw, other four beds were covered with old newspaper and the cover thickness was a single sheet. Four beds were left uncovered and used as control. When seeds started germinating (generally one week after sowing), paddy straw and paper were removed to avoid bending of the emerging seedlings. Number of teak seeds germinated, seedling height and dry weight of weed biomass in the beds one month and two months after seed sowing were calculated.

Teak nursery bed being covered with newspaper

A view of nursery

We have not recorded any significant difference (P≥0.05) between treatments for the germination percentage and seedling height of teak (Table 1). On the other hand, after 1and 2 months of sowing, the weed biomass was significantly more (P≤0.05) in nursery beds covered with paddy straw followed by control beds. Weeds were least in beds covered with paper (Table 1). Out of 21 species of weeds recorded, 12 species including paddy (Oryza sativa) were exclusively seen in the nursery beds covered with straw (Table 2). The weed biomass in paddy straw covered bed was significantly higher mainly because seeds of species like Oryza sativa, Corchorus aestuans, Mollugo pentaphylla, Ludwigia perennis, Cyperus rotundus etc., entered into the beds along with paddy straw and their seedlings contributed much to the total weed biomass. Weed biomass in paper covered beds were comparatively low, possibly due to of poor germination of seeds of weeds due to nonavailability of adequate light under paper cover. Table 1. Germination percentage and seedling height of teak and biomass of weeds in teak nursery beds 1 & 2 months after sowing. Values are mean ± SE. Period since sowing 1 month Parameters

Germination (%) of teak seeds Teak seedling height (cm) -2

Weed biomass (gm m )

2 months

Beds not covered after sowing

Beds covered by paddy straw

Beds covered by old newspaper

Beds not covered after sowing

Beds covered by paddy straw

Beds covered by old newspaper

58±6

41 ±4

44 ±3

86 ±2

81 ±2

85 ±2

11.2± 0.4

11.4 ±0.6

10.5 ± 0.5

20.7 ±0.5

20.1 ±0.9

19.5 ± 0.7

8.9 ±1.9

4.3±0.8

3.9 ± 0.6

40.4±3.5

50.8 ±4.3

28.9 ± 1.9 Read more on page 6


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Table 2. Weedy species recorded in teak nursery beds.

Abrus precatorius Aristolochia indica Spermacoce hispida** Cleome viscosa * Corchorus aestuans** Cyclea peltata Cyperus rotundus *

Ichnocarpus frutescens Lindernia ciliata* Ludwigia perennis** Mimosa pudica Mollugo pentaphylla* Oldenlandia umbellata* Oryza sativa*

Desmodium triflorum

Scoparia dulcis

Eclipta prostrata* Helicteres isora Hemidesmus indicus

Synedrella nodiflora* Trema orientalis

* Seen in teak nursery beds covered with paddy straw ** Seen in teak nursery beds covered with paddy straw and major biomass contributors

To cover a standard teak nursery bed (12 m long x 1.2 m wide) it is estimated that about 3.75 kg of paddy straw will be required. On the other hand, to cover the same area of nursery bed, 0.40 kg of news paper is sufficient. Thus, use of paper to cover nursery bed not only reduces the weed biomass but also economically beneficial as the material cost for covering beds and labour cost for weeding can be drastically minimized.

Upcoming Events IUFRO Regional Congress for Asia and Oceania 2016: “Forests for Sustainable Development: The Role of Research”, October 24-27, 2016, Beijing, China Asia and Oceania encompass only about one-quarter of the world's land area, but provide home to more than one-half of the world's population. Most countries in this region have experienced extremely rapid social and economic developments and forest changes in recent years. The first IUFRO Regional Congress for Asia and Oceania 2016 aims at reaching a common understanding about the status and trends of forests and the consequent research needs towards sustainable forestry development. It also aims at generating research synergies for well-informed policy and decision making to meet the forest governance and management demands in the transition period. The conference, Forests for Sustainable Development: The Role of Research, is jointly organized by IUFRO in association with the Chinese Academy of Forestry. For details, please log on to www.iufro-ao2016.org


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Prices of Plantation Teak Imported to India Country of Origin Logs

US$ per cu.m C & F

Mexican

515

Nicaragua

402-505

Angola

459-574

Panama

368-430

Belize

350-400

PNG

443-575

Benin

290-614

Sudan

488-857

Brazil

321-665

Thailand

511-700

Cameroon

405- 616

Togo

354-590

Colombia

426-775

Trinidad and Tobago

557-680

Congo D.R.

450-761

Uganda

411-576

Costa Rica

320-780

Côte d'Ivoire

289-756

Uganda sawn

680-900

El-Salvador

399-732

Benin sawn

530-872

Ghana

276-434

Tanzania sawn

307-613

Guatemala

360-451

Brazil squares

370-556

Guyana

300-450

Ecuador squares

254-564

Kenya

515-876

Nigeria squares

321-405

Laos

300-605

Liberia

265-460

Malaysia

225-516

Sawn wood / Squares

Variations are based on quality, lengths of logs and the average girth.

Courtesy: ITTO TTM Report 20(6): 16-31 March 2016

Editorial Committee Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr.

P.K. Thulasidas Mammen Chundamannil E. M. Muralidharan S. Sandeep

Teaknet Bulletin is a quarterly electronic newsletter of TEAKNET brought out through its website. It is intended for circulation among the members of TEAKNET and other stakeholders of global teak sector. The views expressed in the newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organization. The readers are welcome to express their opinions or pass on information of value to teak growers, traders, researchers or others concerned with teak. However, TEAKNET reserves the right to choose the contributions for publishing and also to make necessary editorial modifications in the articles in consultation with the authors. Address all communications to: TEAKNET Coordinator Kerala Forest Research Institute Peechi-680 653, Thrissur, Kerala, India Tel: +91 487 2690396; Fax: +91 487 2690111 Email: [email protected] Teaknet Bulletin 9(2):2016

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