A guide for the inventory, identification and screening of native plant species with potential for agroforestry

Native species abound in the uplands. They need to be inventoried, identified and assessed to determine their potential for agroforestry. To do these, agroforestry technicians need the necessary skills and tools. This simple guide is a helpful reference material.

STEPS

· Inventory. Make a list of native tree and shrub species common in the locality.

· Selection. Single out among the species which ones have potentials based on their productive and protective values.

· Propagule availability. Construct a local seed forecasting calendar for selected species.

· Adaptability. Determine the adaptability of species to various conditions by evaluating their distribution and/or conducting species trials.

· Integration. If adaptability of species are established, assess how the species may be integrated with crops in the agroforest farms.

INVENTORY OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE PLANT SPECIES

Avail of the help of the elderly in the community as guide and informant.

Make a preliminary list of species by spot identification in the field. Record local names and economic uses.

Collect specimens of small branch with leaves and, if possible, with flowers and fruits and bark.

Place the specimens with their label temporarily in a plastic bag or gunny sack during collection trip.

Immediately transfer the specimens to a pair of pressers. The labeled specimens are placed between sheets of newspaper and then inserted between the pair of pressers. Tie the four comers tightly together.

Label should contain the following information:

- Local Name
- Place of Collection
- Date of Collection
- Elevation
- Habitat or environmental preference
- Color of flower
- Habit
- Economic uses

Send the unknown specimens, as soon as possible, to the taxonomist for proper identification.

If specimens will not reach the taxonomist within five days, dry them by hanging the presser above the stove. This will prevent decay of specimens.

Consult taxonomy books for the official common name and scientific names. These include:

- Lexicon of Philippine Trees
- Flora Malesiana
- Enumeration of Philippine Flowering Plants

PRELIMINARY SELECTION OF SPECIES FOR TRIALS IN AGROFOREST FARMS

Single out species from the list which may be given priority for integration in agroforestry farm.

Base the selection on the uses of species and their features that may make them probably compatible with agroforestry crops.

Conduct survey on how and when local people use a particular species. The sample form below may be used.

Name of respondent: __________________ Age:________
Place of residence:________________________________
No. of years of residence:___________________________
If migrant, state place of origin:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

Name of Species	:
Local Name	:
Construction	:
Woodcraft	:
Fuelwood	:
Food	:
Feed-fodder-pasture	:
Medicine	:
Poison/Pesticide	:
Extractives (Oil,
easential oil)	:
Exudates (gums,
resins and latex)	:
Fiber	:
Etc.

After survey, refer to literature or any published books on the uses of Philippine plant species.

These include:

Brown, W. H. 1919. Philippine Fiber Plants. Phil. Burl For. Bull. 19.

Brown, W. H. 1920. Minor Products of Phil. Forests. Dept. of Agric. and Nat. Res. Burl For. Phil. Is. Bull. 22.

Brown, W. H. 1941. Useful Plants of the Phil. Manila, 3 vols.

Gana, V. Q. 1916. Some Philippine Tanbarks. Phil. Joumal of Science. Sect. A. 261-265.

Guerrero, Leon Ma. 1921. Medicinal Uses of Phil. Plants. Dept. of Agric. and Nat. Res. Burl For. Phil. Is.

Mulier, T. 1913. Industrials Fiber Plants of the Phil., Phil. Burl Ed. Bull. 9.

Quisumbing, E.1951. Medicinal Plants of the Phil. Dept. Agric. and Nat. Res. Manila. Tech. Bull. 16.

Uphoff, J.C. Th. 1968. Dictionary of Economic Plants. New York: Verkag Von J. Cramer, 591.

West, A.P. and W.H. Brown' 1920. Phil. Resins, Gums, Seed Oils and Essential Oils. Phil. Burl For. Bull. 20.

Wester, P.J. 1925. The Food Plants of the Philippines. Dept. of Agric. and Nat. Res. Burl Agric. Phil.

See also journals such as the following:

CANOPY. Published by FORI-MNR (now ERDB-DENR)

TECHNICAL NOTES. Published by FORPRIDECOM (now FPRDI-DOST)

Use index cards when extracting information from the library. Transfer the information in a logbook in alphabetical order. Example:

Anonang Cordia dichotoma EHRETIACEAE small tree

Wood for temporary construct/on, tool handles and agricultural implements (Reyes, 1938; Monsalud, 1968), fuelwood moisture free 22.49 Ibs/cu. ft. burns 4,397 cal/kg or 7,916 BTU/lb, 64,983 cal/cu. ft. or 80,728 BTU/cu. ft. (Aguilar, 1949). Bark yields best fibers made into rope. Medicinal according to Quisumbing (1961), the kernels are a good remedy for ringworm; they are powdered, mixed with oil and applied. Fruits pulpy portion eaten raw (Monsalud "al., 1986; Brown, 1966; Brown, 1921, 1961), gelatinous substance In fruit is used as glue. Leaves reported as fodder for cattle, DM 46%, Crude protein 16.8%, Crude fiber 14.7%, Ash 13.1% Ca 2.56%, P 0.22#.

Binunga Macaranga tanrius EUPHORBIACEAE small

Bark yields brown glue extract used to fasten together parts of musical instruments. Bark and haves used in making basi (Brown 1921,1951). Bark decoction medicine for dysentery (according to Heyne as cited by Quisumbing, 1951). Growth rate in Makiling 2.60 cm/year (Brown, 1919). Leaves for deer (Lopez, 1935; Sajor, 1936).

Present in a simple matrix the uses and other important information about the species. This matrix serves as the data base on plant uses for a specific locality. A sample format is shown in Table 11.

TABLE 11. ECONOMIC USES AND PROPAGATION OF LOCAL TREES AND SHRUBS COMMON IN (name of place)

SPECIES	ECONOMIC USES AND PROPAGATION METHODS
Buchanania arborescens	Size Habit	Medium tree
Balinghasai	Construction	x
	Woodcraft	x
	Fuelwood
	Pulpwood
	Food	Fruit
	Feed/Fodder	Fruit (swine)
	Medicine
	Poison/Biocide	Prussic acid (stem, leaves)
	Exudates
	Extractives
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Ornamental
	Propagation	Seed
Semecarpus cuneiformis	Size Habit	Small tree
Ligas	Construction	x
	Woodcraft
	Fuelwood
	Pulpwood
	Food	Fruit
	Feed/Fodder	Fruits (bats, birds)
	Medicine	Fruit (ulcer)
	Poison Biocide	Prussic acid (root/bark)
	Exudates
	Extractives
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Ornamental
	Propagation	Seed
Cananga odorata	Size Habit	Large tree
llang-ilang	Construction	x
	Woodcraft	x
Fuelwood
Pulpwood
Food
Feed/Fodder
Medicine
Poison Biocide
Exudates
	Extractives	Flower, essential oil
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Ornamental	Flowers, necklace
	Propagation	Seed
Alstonia scholaris	Size Habit	Large tree
Dita	Construction Woodcraft	x
Fuelwood
Pulpwood
Food
Food/Fodder
	Medicine	Bark (diarrhea, dysentery)
	Poison Biocide	Prussic acid slight (stem and leaves)
	Exudates
	Extractives
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Omamental
	Propagation	Stump cutting
Ervatamia pandacaqui	Size Habit	Shrub
Pandakaki	Construction	x
	Woodcraft	x
	Fuelwood
	Pulpwood
	Food	Fruit
	Feed/Fodder	Fruit (swine)
	Medicine	Leaves, latex, many uses
	Poison Biocide
	Exudates
	Extractives	leaves, bleaching agent
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Ornamental
	Propagation	No published work, but use of wildlings may succeed.
Terminalia catappa	Size Habit	Large tree
Talisai	Construction	x
	Woodcraft	x
	Fuelwood	x
	Pulpwood
	Food	Savory oil from kernel
	Feed/Fodder	Leaves (Tasar, silkworm)
	Medicine	Oil of kernel w/sap, leaves (leprosy)
	Poison Biocide
	Exudates
	Extractwes	Tannin, brown dye, black dye
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Ornamental	x
	Propagation	Fruit
Cordia dichotoma	Size Habit	Small tree
Anonang	Construction
Woodcraft
Fuelwood
Pulpwood
Food
	Feed/Fodder	Leaves
	Medicine	Kernel (ringworm, many uses)
	Poison Biocide
	Exudates
	Extractives	Fruit, gelatinous glue
	Bast fiber	bark (rope)
Textile Fiber
Ornamental
	Propagation	Cutting, seed
Ehetia microphylla	Size Habit	Shrub
Tsang gubat	Construction
Woodcraft
Fuelwood
Pulpwood
	Food	Leaves as tea
	Feed/Fodder
	Medicine	Leaves (dysentery, cough, syphilis)
	Poison Biocide
	Exudates
	Extractives
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Ornamental	x
	Propagation	No published work, but use of wildlings may succeed.
Ehretia philippinensis	Size Habit	Small tree
Halimomog	Construction
	Woodcraft
	Fuelwood
	Pulpwood
	Food
	Feed/Fodder
	Medicine	Bark of root (dysentery, diarrhea)
	Poison Biocide
	Exudates
	Extractives
	Bast Fiber
	Textile Fiber
	Ornamental
	Propagation	No published work, but use of wildlings may succeed.
Acalypha stipulacea	Size Habit	Shrub
Bogus	Construction
Woodcraft
Fuelwood
Pulpwood
Food
	Feed/Fodder	Flowers, leaves (deer, swine)
	Medicine
Poison Biocide
Exudates
Extractives
Bast Fiber
Textile Fiber
Ornamental
	Propagation	Cutting
Breynia cemua Habit	Shrub
Matang hipon
	Construction
	Woodcraft
	Fuelwood
	Pulpwood
	Food
	Feed/Fodder	Fruits (wildlife)
	Medicine
Poison Biocide
Exudates
Extractives
Bast Fiber
Textile Fiber
Omamental
	Propagation	No published work, but use of wildlings may succeed.

CONSTRUCTION OF A LOCAL SEED FORECASTING SCHEDULE

Seed forecasting schedule (SFS) is a chart showing when and where seeds are available for a species in the locality. It serves as guide in seed collection.

Steps in making an SFS are:

1. Identify mother trees of selected species and healthy individuals in the locality.

2. Plot these mother trees in a reference map, properly label them for documentation and monitoring purposes.

3. Mark them to notify people that the trees are under study.

4. Observe at least three mother trees per species and record every year their flowering and seeding patterns.

5. Prepare a chart using Table 12 as an example.

Aside from economic uses, base also the selection of species on characteristics. Trees and shrubs may be large, medium and small. They may have wide spreading, dome-shape crown or with horizontal or diagonal branching; leaves are sparse or dense. Roots are deep and wide or shallow and less spreading. Tolerant or intolerant to shade.

TABLE 12. A SAMPLE OF SEED FORECASTING CALENDAR FOR LOS BAŅOS, LAGUNA (Based on Observations, 1960 - 1962).

DETERMINATION OF THE ADAPTABILITY OF PRE-SELECTED SPECIES

Determine the environmental conditions preferred by the species.

Do an actual trial planting of the pre-selected species on specific agroforestry farm. Use more acceptable designs and replications.

Trials can be of two phases: preliminary trial during the first year. Based on performance (survival and growth), reject or retain species. The latter is utilized for final species trials.

An example of the result of species trials is shown in Table 13.

TABLE 13. INDICATIONS OF ADAPTABILITY OF TREES AND SHRUBS OUTPLANTED IN GRASSLAND AND OPEN FOREST BASED FROM ONE YEAR OBSERVATION (OCTOBER 1988-OCTOBER 1989) ON THEIR SURVIVAL, HEIGHT INCREMENT AND VIGOR

	SPECIES GRASSLAND		OPEN FOREST
Scientific Name	Common Name	Survival	Height Increment	Vigor	Survival	Height Increment	Vigor
		(%)	(%)		(%)	(%)
I. Species with promising adaptabilty
Buchanania nitida	Balitantan	100	19.56	Good	92	13.56	Good
Szygium cumini	Duhat	100	46.45	Very good	75	62.82	Very good
S. calubcob	Kalubkob	83	28.81	Good	83	25.53	Very good
Buchanania arborescens	Balinghasai	75	102.34	Very good	58	106.19	Very good
Lagerstroenia speciosa	Banaba	75	45.07	Poor	92	24.09	Good
Semecarpus cuneiformis	Ligas	75	44.90	Very good	100	42.31	Very good
II. Species with preferred adaptibility to open forest
Abarema	Tiagkot	16	69.77	Good	100	30 16	Good
clypearia
Toona surenii Danupra	8	17.86	Poor	100	53.86	Very good
Clausena brevistyla	Kalomata	0	0	0	100	48.02	Very good
Celtis luzonica	Magabuyo	17	3.96	Poor	92	22.20	Good
Anisoptera thurifera	Pa losapis	8	-	Poor	83	45.03	Very good
Chisocheton pentandrum	Katong matsing	0	0	0	82	13.65	Good

INTEGRATION OF NATIVE PLANT SPECIES IN AGROFORESTRY FARM

Include the native plant species in an agroforestry farm based on their characteristics and adaptation.

Native species may be integrated in agroforestry farm as border species, live fences, hedges,
shelterbelts/greenbelts/windbreaks, upholders to vine crops. Also, for improving/sustaining the
productive and protective value of the farm.

Table 14 shows information relevant for the integration of tree and shrub species in agroforest farm.

Many indigenous tree and shrub species are considered food for farm animals. The following are fodder/browse/forage species, namely: anabiong Trema orientalis, alim Mallotus multiglandulosus, kariskis Albizia lebbekoides, katmon Dillenia philippinensis, kupang (pods) Parkia roxburghii, alibangbang Bauhinia malabarica, tibig Ficus nota, antipolo Artocarpus altilis, salisi Ficus benjamina (strangler habits), binayuyu Antidesma ghaesembilla, binunga Macaranga tanarius, pahutan (young leaves) Mangifera altissima, bagtikan, (tender shoots) Parashorea malaanonan, anubing Artocarpus ovate, aplas Ficus irisana, isis F. ulmifolia, kalios Streblus asper, bolo Gigantochloa levis, libas Spondias pinnate, talisai Terminalia catappa, bogo Garuga floribunda, malubago Hibiscus tiliaceus, malatanglin Adenanthera pavonina, unik Albizia chinensis, and langil A. Iebbeck.

Before integrating native species in an agroforestry farm, ascertain if the site corresponds to the ecological requirements of the species.

TABLE 14. NATIVE SPECIES CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO SIZE, ROLES IN SUCCESSION AND CORRESPONDING INTEGRATION IN AGROFORESTRY (Based in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija).

		REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES	ADAPTATION AND HABITAT PREFERENCES	POSSIBLE INTEGRATION IN AGROFOREST FARM
Large trees
	- Pioneer	Albizia procera	Open, drought and fire resistant	Border fuelwood, timber crop
	- Climax	Shorea contorta	Gullies, mid-slope with vegetation of trees, moist	Buffer in gully, timber crop
	- Intermediate		Gullies, mid-slope with vegetation, tolerance for open	Buffer in gully, timber crop
Small trees
	- Pioneer	Pittosporum pentandrum	In open, drought and fine resistant	Border, live fence fuelwood
	- Climax	Lichi chinensis var philippinensis	In forest, moist	Border, live fenxce, fuelwood
Shrub
	- Pioneer	Vitex negundo	Open, drought and fire-resistant	Hedge, buffer
	- Climax	Wikstroemia sp.	Forest, moist soil	Paper money
	- Intermediate	Leucosyske capitellata	Forest, drought-tolerant	Fuelwood, border, hedge, strong rope