Collaboration for Agriculture & Rural Development: Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in Vietnam - Milestone 7 " pot

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Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development
Collaboration for Agriculture & Rural Development




Project 033/05 VIE
Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling
up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in Vietnam



Milestone 7:
Output 2.3: Hedge and containerised nurseries


Deliverables: Means of verification for payment
• Three pilot scale hedge and containerised nurseries operational and capable of producing
at least 30,000 high quality plants/year


Report Title:

Progress in establishing Pinus hedge areas and containerised
nurseries at three pilot sites in Vietnam

March 2008

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………… 3
2.0 Hedge area establishment…………………………………………………………………3
2.1 Ba Vi (Cam Quy) ………………………………………………………………… 4
2.2 Phu Ninh (FRC) ……………………………………………………………………6
2.3 Dalat (Cam Ly) …………………………………………………………………… 7
3.0 Pilot nurseries, collecting and setting cuttings………………………………………… 7
3.1 Ba Vi Nursery…………………………………………………………………… 7
3.2 FRC Nursery and cuttings trials, Phu Ninh……………………………………… 9
3.3 Dalat Nursery………………………………………………………………………10
4.0 Conclusions……………………………………………………………………………….10
5.0 Contacts………………………………………………………………………………… 10

List of Tables
Table Title Page
1 Description of pilot Pinus hedge areas established in Vietnam under CARD
Project 033/05 VIE
3
2 Taxa used to establish initial Pinus hedges at 3 pilot hedge sites in Vietnam 4
3 Summary of original Ba Vi hedges still alive after 2
nd
and 3
rd
shoot harvest 5
4 Summary of original FRC hedges still alive as at November 2007 6
5 Effect of cutting technique on survival rate at 6 months after setting, at Ba Vi 8

6 Effect of hormone on cutting survival 6 months after setting at Ba Vi 8
7
Performance of shoots collected and set at FRC, Phu Ninh for different pine
varieties
9
8 History of shoot collection and setting at Cam Ly, Dalat 10
9
Rooting percentage 5 months after setting for different potting mixes at Cam
Ly, Dalat
10

List of Appendices
Title
A Ba Vi hedge area establishment
B Phu Ninh hedge area establishment
C Dalat hedge area establishment
D Collecting and setting cuttings, Ba Vi
E Collecting and setting cuttings, Phu Ninh
F Collecting and setting cuttings, Dalat
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
CARD Project 033/VIE seeks to review existing experience with and performance of several
tropical conifer species in Vietnam, particularly Caribbean Pine, and to establish further trials of
improved genetic material, including hybrids.
The project will also provide capacity building for forest research institutions relating to Pinus
tree improvement and mass propagation systems via training in Queensland and Vietnam,
development of small-scale hedge and nursery infrastructure, and a study tour to Australia,
involving forest managers and researchers.
Finally, the project will build awareness among large and small-scale forest growers including
ethnic minorities, through the establishment of collaborative demonstration plantings in priority

regions for Pinus plantation expansion in Vietnam, supported by appropriate training.
This report relates to Output 2.3 of the Project relating to the establishment and operation of
three pilot scale hedge and containerised nurseries for the production of pine cuttings.

2.0 HEDGE AREA ESTABLISHMENT
Following initial training in Queensland in May 2006, project partners established three pilot
hedge areas (Table 1) using seedlings raised from various Queensland and Vietnamese sourced
seed as detailed in Table 2. Some hedge beds were covered with Queensland supplied black
weed mat, while others were either covered with locally sourced blue weed mat or straw. The
overall design of the hedge areas was similar to that used in Queensland, however the hedges
were planted more densely due to space limitations and the short project timeframes in an effort
to maximise initial production of shoots.
Table 1: Description of pilot Pinus hedge areas established in Vietnam under CARD Project
033/05 VIE
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Province
Ha Tay Phu Tho Lam Dong
Region
North North Central Highlands
Locality
Cam Quy, Ba Vi Phu Ninh Cam Ly, Dalat
Agency
Research Centre for
Forest Tree Improvement
Forest Research Centre,
part of Vinapaco
Lam Dong Forest Research
Centre, FSIV
Latitude
21° 07’N 21° 29’ 46’’N 11° 38’ 15’’N

Longitude
105° 26’E 105° 27’ 5’’E 108° 15’53’’E
Elevation
(m)
50 75 1,500
Annual
Rainfall
1,680 mm 1,387 mm 1,730 mm
Soil
Poor soil, heavy clay at
50cm
Yellow medium clay Deep, red, well-drained
Established
August 2006 December 2006 June 2006

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Table 2: Taxa used to establish initial Pinus hedges at 3 pilot hedge sites in Vietnam

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Province Ha Tay Phu Tho Lam Dong
Locality Cam Quy
Ba Vi
FRC
Phu Ninh
Cam Ly
Dalat
Taxa initially planted x seed source
Number of hedges initially planted
Pinus massoniana (PMASS) – Tam Dao 0 284 0
P. caribaea var. hondurensis (PCH) – non select – Dai

Lai
591 454 665
P. caribaea var. hondurensis (PCH) –select – elite seed
from 11 plus trees, Dai Lai Seed Production Area (SPA)
522 280 672
P. caribaea var. hondurensis (PCH) – non select –
Queensland
591 314 1,065
P. elliottii var. elliottii x PCH = PEE x PCH F2 hybrid -
Queensland
159 85 125
PCH x P. caribaea var. caribaea (PCH x PCC) –
Queensland
186 142 218
TOTAL INITIAL HEDGES PLANTED 2,059 1,559 2,745

Comments on each of the three pilot hedge areas follow.
2.1 Ba Vi (Cam Quy)
Attachment A is a collection of images from the Ba Vi hedge area at different stages.
Over 2,000 seedlings were planted as hedges made up of 5 taxa as shown in Table 2. Hedges
were arranged in 14 separate beds, 7 using the black “Queensland” weed mat and 7 using locally
sourced blue plastic weed mat.
Images A1 to A4, (November 2006, 3 months after planting), show that initial survival and
growth was quite good with only a few losses. By the time that hedge management and nursery
training was conducted in May 2007 (age 9 months) the hedges were healthy, well-established
and ready for shoot harvesting as indicated in images A5 to A7.
During July 2007 (11 months from planting) there was wide spread and rapid death of many
hedges, starting with (but not confined to) those established using the blue weed mat. Refer
images A8 to A13.
Table 3 shows for each hedge taxon the number and percent of hedge plants still alive after the

second shoot harvest (September 2007) and third shoot harvest (November 2007).
Only 6 percent of original hedges were alive after the second shoot harvest and this had reduced
to 4 percent by November 2007, after the third shoot harvest. The PEE x PCH F2 hybrid hedges
from Queensland survived much better than all the other taxon with 42 percent still alive after
the third shoot harvest. Images A14 to A17 show the state of the hedges as at November 2007,
including a few beginning to recover and some replanted.

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Table 3: Summary of original Ba Vi hedges still alive after 2
nd
and 3
rd
shoot harvest
Taxon Original
hedges
Number
alive after
2
nd
cut (9/07)
% Alive
(9/07)
Number
alive after
3
rd
cut
(11/07)
% Alive
(11/07)

PEE x PCH
(Qld)
159 79
50%
66 42%
PCH x PCC
(Qld)
186 17
9%
4 2%
PCH (Qld)
non select
591 1
0%
0 0%
PCH – Dai
Lai (select)
522 14
3%
1 0%
PCH – Dai
Lai (non
select)
591 6
1%
2 0%
TOTAL 2,049 117 6% 73 4%
The rapid and widespread death of hedges at Ba Vi has not been experienced in Queensland.
This event was a surprise and disappointment for all of those who had done such a good job in
setting up the pilot facility, which looked very healthy only a couple of months earlier.

Discussions with local staff revealed that temperatures were very high during June and July
2007. It is believed that the high temperatures, (up to 41 degrees Celsius recorded under the blue
weed mat and slightly less under the black weed mat) were primarily responsible for the death of
the hedges. The root systems, especially in the moist clay soil, were probably “cooked”,
explaining the rapid death of the hedges.
As a result of this experience, the following actions are recommended for future hedge
management at Ba Vi:

Ba Vi Hedge recommendations
1. Remove (and do not replace) the weed mat before re-establishing any hedges.
2. Mix additional organic matter and sand into the hedge beds to reduce the clay
content and improve drainage before re-planting hedges.
3. Erect removable (sliding) high shade over the hedge area so that the hedge
area is shaded during periods of extreme summer heat.
4. Re-establish hedges (including P. caribaea var. bahamensis – PCB and
perhaps PCH x PCB) as soon as possible.
5. Avoid trimming back hedges and harvesting shoots during the peak of the hot
and humid summer months to reduce the risk of pest and disease attack.
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2.2 Phu Ninh (FRC)
Attachment B is a collection of images from the Phu Ninh hedge area at different stages.
1,559 seedlings made up of 6 taxa were planted as hedges as shown in Table 2. Hedges were
arranged in 28 separate beds; 14 using the black “Queensland” weed mat and 14 lightly covered
with straw.
Images B1 to B9 (May 2007, 5 months after planting) show that initial survival and growth was
quite good with only a few losses, although some hedge plants were taller than desired at time of
planting.
Image B10 (August 2007) shows that quite a few hedges have died and many look an unhealthy
yellow. This is around the same time that most of the hedges at Ba Vi died.
Images B11 to B19, (November 2007, 11 months after original hedge establishment) show

widespread death for most hedge varieties apart from PEE x PCH F2 hybrid (Queensland) and
Masson pine. Many hedges have been re-planted in the black weed mat area and the original 14
hedge beds covered with straw have been converted to a Eucalypt hedge area. Including refills,
there were 454 hedge plants in November 2007, including 31 percent PEE x PCH F2 hybrids.
Many of the original hedges also display “brown needle”, which may be due to pathogen,
although local staff could not confirm the identity of the suspected agent.
Table 4 shows for each variety the number and percent of original plants still alive as at
November 2007. On average, only 9 percent of original hedges were alive by November 2007.
As in Ba Vi, the PEE x PCH F2 hybrid hedges from Queensland seed (42 %) survived much
better than all the other varieties. Survival of Masson pine hedges (24 %) was reasonable and
much better than any of the PCH varieties (2-3 %).
Table 4: Summary of original FRC hedges still alive as at November 2007
Variety Original
hedges
Number Alive
(11/07)
% Alive (11/07)
PEE x PCH (Qld) 85 36
42%
PCH x PCC (Qld) 142 13
9%
PCH (Qld) non select 314 7
2%
PCH – Dai Lai (select) 280 5
2%
PCH – Dai Lai (non-
select)
454 13
3%
Masson pine 284 68

24%
TOTAL 1,559 142
9%
It is likely that the hedges at FRC, Phu Ninh died from similar causes as those at Ba Vi, although
it is surprising that the hedge beds covered by straw (not black weed mat) also suffered
significant mortality. The hot and humid weather during the peak of summer may be a high risk
period for attack by pests and diseases, and the chances of fungal attack are probably high
shortly after shoot harvest during these high-risk periods.
The recommendations for the Ba Vi hedge site apply equally to the FRC site at Phu Ninh,
although it is not recommended that any PCB hedges be established at FRC.
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2.3 Dalat (Cam Ly)
Attachment C is a collection of images from the Dalat hedge area at different stages.
2,745 hedges were planted from seedlings made up of 5 taxa as shown in Table 2. Hedges were
established using the black “Queensland” weed mat and also locally sourced blue weed mat.
Unlike the other two sites (3 rows per hedge bed on raised beds), the hedges at Dalat were
planted as 5 rows per hedge bed and the beds were not raised. As well, a circle about 20 cm
diameter was “melted” into the weed mat using a tin holding hot coals to create a clear planting
spot for each hedge plant. This may have also reduced heat build up around the base of the
hedges.
The better quality, well-drained soil combined with the much cooler climate (Dalat is located at
approximately 1,500m elevation) has probably assisted the greatly improved performance of the
hedges at Dalat compared to the other two sites.

Images C1 to C3 (November 2006, 4 months after planting) show the excellent survival and
growth of the initial planting with very few losses.
Images C4 to C11 (May 2007, 10 months after planting) show the excellent survival and growth
of the initial planting with only a few losses. It was also clear by this stage that the blue weed
mat was degrading very quickly.

Images C12 to C15, (December 2007, 17 months after original hedge establishment) show that
the hedges have been recently trimmed back and, while some deaths are evident, survival
continues to be quite good.

3.0 PILOT NURSERIES, COLLECTING AND SETTING CUTTINGS
In this section of the report, results and experience in collecting and setting cuttings is presented
for each of the three pilot nursery areas.
3.1 Ba Vi Nursery
Attachment D shows various images relating to the Ba Vi pilot nursery including nursery
infrastructure, the collection of shoots from hedges, setting cuttings and progress of set cuttings.
Images D1 and D2 (November 2006) show the shade house constructed as part of the CARD
project.
Images D3 to D11, taken during the nursery training session in May 2007, show the collection
and setting of shoots, the trimming back of hedges after shoot collection and developing root
systems from the initial setting.
Images D12 to D16 show the development of set shoots during the most recent joint inspection
in November 2007.
A range of trial treatments to improve the strike rate of rooted cuttings have been evaluated at Ba
Vi. There have been previous attempts at raising pine cuttings in Vietnam. A trial was
established comparing the performance of “Vietnamese” style cuttings with “Queensland” style
cuttings which are in general more juvenile in appearance and are based on the selection criteria
outlined during the training courses held in Queensland and Vietnam. Table 5 shows results for
the different styles of cuttings for the different pine varieties.
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Table 5: Effect of cutting technique on survival rate at 6 months after setting, at Ba Vi.
Percent set shoots still alive for each style of
cutting
Variety Shoots set per
technique

Vietnam style Queensland style
PEE x PCH (Qld) 150 13 62
PCH x PCC (Qld) 150 28 65
PCH (Qld) – non
select
150 25 52
PCH Dai Lai - select 100 6 19
PCH Dai Lai – non-
select
550 4 12
TOTAL 1,100 11 32
The results indicate that the “Queensland” style cutting is around 3 times more effective
compared to the Vietnamese cutting (average 32 % across all varieties compared to 11 %).
When hedge seed source is compared, the Queensland varieties (PEE x PCH, PCH x PCC and
PCH-Qld) averaged 60 % survival compared to the two PCH – Dai Lai varieties (13 %).
When hedge survival (see Table 3) and shoot survival (Table 5) are considered jointly, the
Queensland PEE x PCH F2 hybrid hedges combined with shoot collection using the Queensland
technique clearly produced the best results. The performance to age 10 years of PEE x PCH F2
hybrids in field trials near Ba Vi has (reported separately under milestone 8 of this CARD
project) has also been impressive compared to other varieties, providing further confidence
regarding the suitability of PEE x PCH F2 hybrids in this part of northern Vietnam.
In another trial, the effect of hormone (1.0 % IBA) on cuttings survival was evaluated for three
different pine varieties. The results (Table 6) are similar for both treatments and do not support
the need to apply hormones to improve cutting survival. This result is similar to experience in
Queensland with hybrid pines. As in the previous experiment, the survival of the Queensland
PEE x PCH F2 hybrid cuttings is much better than the local PCH.
Table 6: Effect of hormone on cutting survival 6 months after setting at Ba Vi.
Number alive (%)
Variety Number of shoots set
No IBA 1% IBA

PEE x PCH (Qld) 150 88 (59%) 95 (63%)
PCH x PCC (Qld) 150 101 (67%) 91 (61%)
PCH – Dai Lai select 100 27 (27%) 20 (20%)
TOTAL 400 216 (54%) 206 (52%)
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During an inspection of the Ba Vi nursery in November 2007 (Images D13 to D17) it was
discovered that the potting mix was too wet and was also holding too much water. A much
reduced watering regime was suggested. As well, once cuttings have rooted, it is important that
they are transferred to a full sun position.
3.2 FRC Nursery and cuttings trials, Phu Ninh
Attachment E shows various images for the setting of cuttings collected and raised at FRC, Phu
Ninh.
Images E1 to E9 were taken in May 2007, one year after the Queensland training sessions and
prior to the training in Vietnam. The health of the cuttings is generally quite good. However,
after initial rooting it is necessary to move the cuttings into the full sun for best development.
Following a recommendation from the May 2007 visit, FRC staff constructed a small, well-
drained area in the full sun next to the shade house to promote further development of cuttings
after they had started to root.
Images E10 to E17 (November 2007) show the area in full sun for the cuttings as well as results
from various treatments in different containers for different varieties.
To date, shoots have been collected and set on three occasions. Table 7 presents a summary of
the average number of shoots collected per hedge as well as the total number of shoots set in
containers and their survival to November 2007. The survival rate for the two hybrid varieties
and the PCH (Dai Lai –select) is quite encouraging. On the other hand, the large difference
between the PCH (Dai Lai – select) (62%) and the other two PCH varieties (18% average) is
difficult to explain.
Table 7: Performance of shoots collected and set at FRC, Phu Ninh for different pine varieties
Variety Shoots
collected/hedge
(Average of 3

settings)
Number of
shoots collected
and set
Number of
cuttings still
alive
Percent of
containerised
cuttings still
alive
PEE x PCH
(Qld)
17.44 445 342 77%
PCH x PCC
(Qld)
19.6 200 135 68%
PCH Dai Lai -
select
28.6 360 223 62%
PCH Dai Lai –
non-select
26.5 540 91 17%
PCH (Qld) – non
select
26 600 112 19%
TOTAL

2145 903 42%

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3.3 Dalat Nursery
Attachment F shows various images for the setting of cuttings collected and raised at Dalat.
Images F1 to F4 (November 2006) show results from the initial setting. As with the other pilot
nurseries, the cuttings have been receiving too much water and have not been moved into full
sun after initial root formation. They should also not be placed directly on the ground since good
air circulation around the root systems is important for their development.
Images F5 to F8 (May 2007) highlight the shoot harvesting from hedges at Cam Ly and setting
undertaken during the training session at Dalat.
Images F9 to F12 (December 2007) demonstrate progress with cuttings set to date.
To date, most hedges are still alive. Shoots have been collected and set on three occasions as
indicated in Table 8. As well, four different potting mixes have been trialled to evaluate their
effect on strike rate. Table 9 shows percent rooting success at age 5 months.
Table 8: History of shoot collection and setting at Cam Ly, Dalat
Date shoots collected and set Average shoots
collected per hedge
Number of shoots set
September 2006 3 - 5 1,200
May 2007 8 - 9 3,000
October 2007 10 - 20 5,000

Table 9: Rooting percentage 5 months after setting for different potting mixes at Cam Ly, Dalat
Potting mix Percent rooting at 5 months
100% “top soil” 73%
50% “top soil”: 50% decomposed coffee husks 70%
1/3 “top soil”: 1/3 decomposed coffee husks, 1/3 fine
sand
60%
50% “top soil”, 50% fine sand 63%
There was no experiment of cutting propagation for different pine varieties in Da Lat.

4.0 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the establishment and initial management of three pilot Pinus vegetative propagation
facilities in Vietnam, the following preliminary conclusions and recommendations are provided
for further consideration:
1. The location of hedge areas should target well – drained sites that are not subject to excessive
heat. Where high temperatures are anticipated, temporary shading may be required to prevent
the death of hedges.
2. If hedge re-establishment is to occur at either Ba Vi or Phu Ninh, improve soil drainage
before re-planting hedge plants.
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3. The PEE x PCH hybrid has performed better than PCH hedges in northern Vietnam. The
establishment of PCB and PCH x PCB hedges is worth considering, especially around Ba Vi.
4. The use of hormones has not resulted in any improvement in rooting percentages.
5. Once set, cuttings should be kept moist, but not over-watered. Flexible watering regimes
across different sections of a nursery should be encouraged so that individual areas are not
over or under-watered.
6. Continue to evaluate alternative, low cost potting mixes, especially those that provide
excellent drainage.
7. Avoid trimming back hedges during the peak of the hot and humid summer months to reduce
the risk of pest and disease attack.
8. Pinus cuttings need to be moved into full sun as soon as they begin to develop roots.

5.0 CONTACTS
Project Management
Vietnam Queensland
Mr Phi Hong Hai
Deputy Director
Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement
Dong Ngac

Tu Liem, Ha Noi


Ph: 84 (0) 4 8389 813
Fax 84 (0) 4 836 2280
Mr Ian Last
Manager, Plantation Development and
Innovation
Forestry Plantations Queensland
P O Box 1339
GYMPIE, Queensland, 4570
AUSTRALIA


Ph: 61 (0) 754 820 891
Fax: 61 (0) 7 5482 3430

Pilot Nurseries
Nursery Location Site Leader/Director Project Leader
Cam Quy, Ba Vi
HA TAY
Mr Nguyen Dinh Hai
Director
Ba Vi Research Station,
RCFTI
Mr Mai Trung Kien
Vice Director
Ba Vi Research Station,
RCFTI
FRC, Phu Ninh

PHU THO
Mr Ha Van Huy
Director
Forest Research Centre
(Part of Vinapaco)
Miss Vu Thi Tho
Cam Ly, Dalat
LAM DONG
Mr Hua Vinh Tung
Director
Lam Dong Forest Research
Centre
Mr Pham Trong Nhan