Fast-Track Forestry: Mass Propagation of Paulownia Using Stem and Root Cuttings | InformativeBD

Anthony Antwi-Wiredu,  Patience Mansa Gakpetor, Reginald Tang Guuroh, Ebenezer Ofori and Daniel Aninagyei Ofori, from the institute of Ghana. wrote a Research article about, Fast-Track Forestry: Mass Propagation of Paulownia Using Stem and Root Cuttings. Entitled, Vegetative propagation technologies using stem and root cuttings of Paulownia (P. fortunei and P. elongata) tree species for mass production. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Paulownia is a multipurpose tree with high-quality wood features including machining qualities, rot resistance, fast growth, a good tree form, high yield, light wood weight and good potential for plantation and agroforestry. In 2012, Paulownia was introduced into Ghana under the FC/Industry plantations project for field trials at Asenanyo and Pra-Anum Forest Reserves. Recent field assessment depicted their inability to produce viable seeds for propagation. Thus, vegetative propagation techniques were investigated to possibly produce high-quality planting materials for large scale Paulownia (P. elongata and P. fortunei) plantations. Root and stem plant materials were collected from Pra-Anum Forest Reserve. They were treated with 0.0% (control), 0.1%, and 0.3% Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) levels and planted in polyethylene bags filled with loamy soils and kept under shade. Root cuttings were planted horizontally in a 2×3 factorial design with 10 cuttings per treatment replicated 4 times. Stem (bi-nodal leafless hardwood) cuttings were vertically planted in 2×4 factorial design, 10 cuttings per treatment at 3 replications. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used. The root cuttings of both species survived irrespective of IBA levels. A significant variation (P≤0.05) was observed in the survival rate (over 75%), sprouting and rooting abilities. The stem cuttings were not successful, though, they developed shoots and leaves at the initial stages. In conclusion, vegetative propagation of Paulownia particularly, root cutting is possible for the multiplication of planting materials for plantation establishment. It is ill-advised to use lignified brown stem/ hardwood cuttings for the propagation of Paulownia.

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Introduction 

Paulownia tree belongs to the monogenetic family Paulowniaceae of the Scrophulariaceae family. It is a deciduous tree that originated from East Asia. Its wood has a high economic premium due to the timber export value of billions of dollars. Paulownia tree is grown to serve numerous purposes ranging from reforestation and aesthetic purposes to the environmental protection due to its fast growth ability and beautiful large leaves, mauve flowers and aroma. The ability of the tree to grow rapidly makes it a favorable economic choice to harness large quantities of biomass (60-80ton/ha) within a short frame of time (Danciu et al., 2016). Also, the tree can be planted for soil reclamation, green manuring, fodder, herbal medicine and as a windbreak (Johnson, 2000). The tree is propagated by both sexual and asexual means. There are many merits associated with vegetative propagation of Paulownia making it the most effective means over seedling production. Seeds of Paulownia exhibit slow germination growth and slower growth of seedlings which is not the case of planting materials raised from root or shoot cuttings or rooted shoots from tissue culture (Bergmann and Moon, 1997). Paulownia trees have multiple uses including its application in a short-rotation woody crop plant, afforestation, mine site reclamation, managed plantations and intercropping systems (Bergmann and Moon, 1997, Wang and Shogren, 1992, Zhu et al., 1986, Carpenter, 1977). The leaves of Paulownia are also good for fertilizer and animal feeds, and their flowers used in honey production and wood for solid wood products (Zhu et al., 1986). Paulownia, can be used for the production of energy, wooden building materials, and paper pulp (Bergmann and Moon, 1997).

As an introduced tree species into Ghana planted at Asenanyo and Pra-Anum Forest Reserves, there was a need to increase the production level to cover a large area of land to reap the tremendous environmental and economic benefits it presents. The premier trial when the tree species was introduced into Ghana was carried out through sexual propagation. Therefore, there was a need to find the best alternative propagation methods to increase the number of planting materials and subsequently be used in the expansion of the area of cultivation. On that note, this purpose could only be realised through the use of vegetative propagation techniques. The experiment was to use stem and root cutting propagation technologies to ensure success in the rooting and sprouting potentials of Paulownia tree (P. elongata and P. fortunei) species in Ghana. The number of Paulownia planting materials would be increased for possible large-scale production in Ghana. Also, Paulownia clones of similar and high genetic traits would be maintained coupled with early maturity rate. An alternative mass macropropagation protocol for the tree species in Ghana was accomplished. The main objective was to determine the effective propagation of the two P. elongata and P. fortunei species through root cuttings and stem (bi-nodal leafless hardwood) cuttings. The specific objectives included determining the survival, sprouting and rooting abilities of root cuttings between the two Paulownia species as influenced by IBA levels; and the survivability, sprouting and rooting potentials of stem cuttings between the two Paulownia species as influenced by IBA combinations.

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Article source : Vegetative propagation technologies using stem and root cuttings of Paulownia (P. fortunei and P.elongata) tree species for mass production