MANUAL FOR RAISING EXOTIC PINE CONTAINERISED CUTTINGS IN VIETNAM pdf

Bench set up with hoop ...23 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 Queensland cutting production nursery design ……23 APPENDIX 2 Methods for determining potting mix attributes ……24 APPENDIX 3 C

Version 4 June 2007

Disclaimer This Exotic Pine Nursery Practices Manual was developed by Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) for use in Vietnam as part of the CARD project “Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in Vietnam” The State of Queensland, Australia represented by FPQ has no objection to this material being reproduced for use in Vietnam but:

• asserts its right to be recognised as author of its original material; and

• accepts no responsibility for decisions or actions taken as a result of any data, information,

statement or advice, express or implied, contained in this document

MANUAL FOR RAISING EXOTIC PINE CONTAINERISED CUTTINGS IN

VIETNAM

CONTENTS

1 Introduction 4

1.1 Project outline 5

1.2 Aim 5

1.3 Contacts 5

2 General Prescriptions 6

2.1 Health and Hygiene 6

2.2 Sterilisation 6

2.2.1 Storage Areas 6

2.2.2 Sterilising surfaces with copper oxy chloride 6

2.2.3 Solar sterilisation for potting media 7

2.2.4 Chlorine 7

2.3 Plant Production area construction 8

2.3.1 Drainage 8

2.3.2 Preventing plants contacting soil 8

2.3.3 Benching 8

2.4 Shade 9

2.5 Irrigation 9

2.5.1 Watering of cuttings prior to rooting 9

2.5.2 Watering after cuttings have rooted 9

2.6 Weed Control 10

2.7 Disease Control 10

2.8 Potting Mix 10

2.9 Pots and Trays 10

2.10 Fertiliser 11

2.11 Pot and Tray Filling 11

3 Exotic pine shoot production 13

3.1 Hedge Plant Establishment 13

3.1.1 Raising stock plants 13

3.1.2 Site selection 13

3.1.3 Site Preparation 13

3.1.4 Layout 13

3.1.5 Planting 14

3.1.6 Hedge management 14

3.1.7 Irrigation 14

3.1.8 Nutrition 14

3.1.9 Weed Control 15

3.1.10 Topping and Edging 15

3.1.11 Collection and Transport 16

4 Exotic pine container cuttings 16

4.1 Setting 16

4.1.1 Setting Environment 17

4.1.2 Setting 17

4.1.3 Raising the Cuttings 18

4.1.4 20

4.1.5 Performance 20

5 Glossary of Terms 22

LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Sterilising techniques 6

Table 2: Pot and tray dimensions 11

Table 3: Guide for irrigation of F1 hybrid clones/families 18

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Solar Sterilisation 7

Figure 2 A: A graded site with subsurface drainage is effective in preventing pooling of water; B: The optimum surface for both pathways and under propagation benches 8

Figure 3 Benches under high shade at Lam Dong FRC’s Dalat Nursery 8

Figure 4 Examples of A: High shade (at RCFTI’s Ba Vi) and B: Low Shade at FPQ’s Toolara Nursery 9 Figure 5 Queensland Native Tray (QNT) 10

Figure 6 FRC replica pots 10

Figure 7 Circular plastic bags 10

Figure 8 Slow release granular fertiliser with correct balance of nutrients 11

Figure 9 Testing pH of soil using a pH test kit 11

Figure 10 Hedge bed area layout, three rows (Note: not to scale) 14

Figure 11 Hedge bed area layout, two rows (Note: not to scale) 14

Figure 12 Batch number tag 14

Figure 13 A: A diagram illustrating hedge topping and B: a photo of a young hedge being topped 15 Figure 14 Edging hedges 20cm from the edge of the weedmat 16

Figure 15 Desirable shoot for collection and setting of container cuttings 16

Figure 16 Secateurs 16

Figure 17 Storage and transportation of shoots in a container lined with wet Hessian 16

Figure 18 Shade around setting environment 17

Figure 19 Dibbling rack generates 50 centred holes of uniform depth in one action 17

Figure 20 Setting cuttings with “one step” action 18

Figure 21 Tags used to record batch number in trays 18

Figure 22 Watering of freshly set cuttings 18

Figure 23 Cuttings will often “droop” or bend the week after setting 18

Figure 24 Examples of shoots exhibiting stress 20

Figure 25 Plant ready for planting in the field 21

Figure 26 Shade covering benches Side angle (left), front angle (right) 23

Figure 27 Bench set up Front view (left), Side view (right) 23

Figure 28 Bench set up with hoop 23

LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 Queensland cutting production nursery design ……23

APPENDIX 2 Methods for determining potting mix attributes ……24

APPENDIX 3 Checklists ……27

Cutter’s Checklist ……27

Setting Checklist ……28

Sorting Container Stock Checklist ……29

Fertiliser Use Recording Sheet ……30

Chemical Use Recording Sheet ……31

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project outline

The Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Program is an Australian Government initiative, funded through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), to assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) contribute to the Outcomes expected from the Government of Vietnam’s Comprehensive Poverty Reduction and Growth Strategy

CARD is about delivery of relevant, high quality, collaborative agricultural and forestry research and development projects between Vietnamese and Australian institutions Expected results include:

• Improved productivity and competitiveness

• Stability through diversification

• Knowledge products developed to support training

• Improved dissemination of information

• Further research capacity development

The CARD project “Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in Vietnam” seeks to review existing experience with and performance of several tropical conifer species in Vietnam, particularly Caribbean Pine, and to establish further replicated trials of improved genetic material, including pine hybrids

Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), Queensland’s government-owned forest grower, and the Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement (RCFTI), a part of MARD’s Forest Science Institute of Vietnam (FSIV) and lead project managers for this project

The project provides capacity building for several Vietnamese Forest Research institutions relating to conifer tree improvement and mass propagation, particularly via vegetative cuttings Capacity building is via hands on training in Queensland and Vietnam, development of small scale pilot hedge and containerised nursery infrastructure, and a study tour to Australia by Vietnamese forest managers / researchers

Finally, the project builds awareness amongst both large and small forest growers including ethnic minorities, through the establishment of collaborative demonstration plantings in priority regions for conifer plantation expansion, supported by appropriate training and promotional information

2 GENERAL PRESCRIPTIONS

The following is applicable to all container stock raised in Vietnamese nurseries:

2.1 Health and Hygiene

Hygiene problems in propagation can easily affect plants for their entire life

The following steps will ensure good heath and hygiene in the nursery:

Control weeds in and around propagation areas;

Ensure all areas are clean and tidy;

Regularly wash or sterilize all equipment used in the nursery; and

Ensure plants and materials entering the nursery are not carrying pests or diseases

2.2 Sterilisation

It is very important that all equipment and materials used in propagation are sterilised to prevent disease The following sterilising techniques are suitable for the materials indicated in Table 1 Notes: All pots and trays should be either new or sterilised before re-use All plastic bags are

to be new

Table 1 Sterilising techniques

Storage areas, concrete slabs,

gravel

* Indicates the best technique

** CuOCl = copper oxy chloride (refer to Section 2.2.2)

*** Alcohol such as ethanol or methanol

2.2.1 Storage Areas

All storage areas should be kept clean Surfaces should be sterilised with CuOCl or chlorine (see 2.2.2) before objects are stored

Objects should be stored off the ground, for example on sterile pallets, and wrapped in plastic

to prevent contact with dust and pests

2.2.2 Sterilising surfaces with copper oxy chloride

Propagation surfaces need to be sterile This includes areas in which clean pots and trays are stored, potting media is sterilised and mixed, and areas in which propagation occurs

The best method is to wash down areas with a solution of copper oxy choride, or alternatively, chlorine (refer Table 1)

In Vietnam, copper oxy chloride is sold as the following product: Viben-C 50 BTN (containing 25% copper oxy chloride and 25% benomyl) It is important to wear gloves and eye protection when handling this product

1 Mix 40g of CuOCl with 8 litres of clean water Agitate well to ensure CuOCl is

dissolved

2 Using a watering can, wash solution over area, ensuring that you do not walk or put

non-sterile material on the area

2.2.3 Solar sterilisation for potting media

Solar sterilisation uses the sun to heat potting media to temperatures that kill pests and diseases

Solar sterilisation needs to increase temperatures to between 40 – 60 oC in soil or potting mix to reduce or eliminate soil borne diseases The longer the higher temperatures are maintained, the less the likelihood that diseases will reproduce

Follow this procedure to sterilise all potting mix before use (as illustrated in Figure 1):

1 Sterilise a clean concrete slab, bitumen or thick plastic sheet with CuOCl (see section 2.2.2) There should be no contact between the potting mix and bare earth This area should receive a lot of sun during the day

2 Lay out potting mix on sterile area The mix should not include fertiliser as the heat will break it down

3 Ensure the mix is moist You may need to mix in some water This will improve the heat conductivity of the mix

4 Spread the blended potting mix so that it is no higher than 25cm

5 Cover mix with Ultra-violet (UV) absorbent, thin, transparent plastic as this transmits most of the solar radiation that helps to heat up the mix

6 Measure the temperature of the potting mix with a thermometer after a week or so When the temperature reaches between 40-60°C near the bottom of the mix, it can be considered sterilised

Figure 1 Solar Sterilisation

2.2.4 Chlorine

If Chlorine is to be used for sterilisation the following procedure is recommended:

1 Prepare sterilisation site by ensuring area and holding facilities are washed down with water and are clean Site should be well-ventilated with normal breezes directed away from the work site and neighbours

Concrete Slab or heavy duty plastic

Soil – 25cm high

Transparent

plastic

2 Prepare chlorine sterilisation solution (4 g of 100% chlorine solution per litre of water) (4000 ppm chlorine)) in a container large enough to dunk the largest item (i.e trays) Ensure that you wear gloves and eye protection

3 Ensure that all pots and trays are fully submersed in the sterilisation solution

4 Place pots and trays onto a sterile surface, such as off the ground benches or sterilised pallets

5 Use the solution for no longer than two hours as over time the chlorine solution will become weak and ineffective If the dunking operation takes longer than two hours, make up a new solution

2.3 Plant Production area construction

Before establishing an exotic pine cutting program, it is important to spend time and money on setting up a nursery system that will minimise the entry of plant pests and diseases, thus maximising plant growth and health and minimising nursery costs

It is essential that this area:

has good drainage; and

the plants and their root systems do not come in contact with potentially contaminated soil or water

2.3.1 Drainage

Select a well-drained site, e.g gentle slope with sandy soil

Before construction begins, the site should be graded so that water

runs off the site Sub surface drainage should also be added to

allow water to drain freely This can be achieve by digging

trenches in the direction of water flow and filling with coarse gravel

or crushed rock (Figure 2A)

2.3.2 Preventing plants contacting soil

To prevent diseases, cover all areas in which plants are to be

grown and the adjacent pathways with coarse gravel or crushed

rock to a depth of 75mm Weed mat under gravel or rock is useful

in keeping the material free of weeds (Figure 2B)

Figure 2 A: A graded site with subsurface drainage is effective in preventing pooling of

water; B: The optimum surface for both pathways and under propagation benches

2.3.3 Benching

Benches are required to keep planting stock at least 30 cm off the

ground It is better that benches are at waist height to prevent

injury (Figure 3) However, if the benches are to be reduced, it is

recommended that they be reduced from one metre to squat height

(30cm) This assists in air root pruning and inhibits roots from

growing into the soil When roots grow into the soil, tapping into

available moisture and nutrients, the plants immediately lose

condition and become less drought resistant and can be exposed

to root rot diseases

Figure 3 Benches under high shade at Lam Dong FRC’s Dalat Nursery

Note: If a high shade system is implemented (Section 2.4), a raised bench area in the full sun also needs to be contructed

75mm gravel

Weed mat

A

B

See Appendix 1 for pictures of the Queensland Cutting Production Nursery Design

2.4 Shade

After setting, cuttings must be covered with 50% shade cloth

This protects the cuttings from the sun and wind, preventing

excessive moisture loss

There are two primary systems for establishing shade,

termed high and low shade As Figure 4A illustrates, high

shade is usually a more permanent structure and the shade is

approximately 2 metres above the benches The advantage

of this is that it is easy to gain access for weeding, but the

disadvantage is that when plants are rooted they must be

moved to raised benches in the full sun

Low shade (Figure 4B) is a temporary set up, where by shade

is suspended over hoops over the bench The advantage of

this is that shade is easily removed when plants have rooted

and can create a good microclimate for rooting, but its

disadvantage is that it is less easy to access for weeding

Figure 4 Examples of A: High shade (at RCFTI’s Ba Vi)

and B: Low Shade at FPQ’s Toolara Nursery

2.5 Irrigation

Irrigation is essential to plant health, and it is vital to set up an efficient irrigation system that permits frequent, short misting for un-rooted cuttings, less frequent, longer irrigation for rooted cuttings and also allows hand watering on hot windy days, especially on exposed edges The following section outlines these requirements in more detail Further information can be found

in Section 4.1.4.1

2.5.1 Watering of cuttings prior to rooting

Irrigation must be monitored at least three times a day, seven days a week, to ensure cuttings

do not dry out

Hand watering of unrooted cuttings is not recommended as the aim of watering is to create a microclimate The ideal irrigation regime is to apply enough water to replace the evaporation rate This usually requires watering between sunrise and sunset on a half hour to hourly basis depending on climatic conditions Refer to Table 3 for recommended watering requirements 2.5.2 Watering after cuttings have rooted

The aim of irrigation is to fully saturate the potting mix core at each watering whilst maintaining

a conditioning regime Refer to Table 3 Under a conditioning regime, root cores may take up

to two hours of constant irrigation to wet up With Pinus species, when fully wetted, the potting mix cores could be dry within a day, wilting by day two and dead by day three Physical checks

of root cores need to be made daily to ensure the effectiveness of each watering

As well as daily maintenance, irrigate all planting stock to full capacity immediately prior to planting If root cores are not saturated they have difficulty in obtaining moisture from the surrounding soil, regardless of how wet the soil is Dunking (placing trays in a tub of water until water no longer bubbles) is an effective method of watering prior to planting

A

B

2.6 Weed Control

Weed growth results in plant losses, poor growth and significant weed control costs Weeds compete for water, nutrients and sunlight Minimise the time spent and expense of the weeding operation by ensuring:

Nursery area and surrounds are kept free from weed species;

The holding site is free from flowering weed species;

The planting stock is weeded regularly; and

A clean water source is used for irrigation

2.7 Disease Control

Carry out regular inspections of all stock daily In the event of any disease or insect attack apply appropriate fungicide or insecticide immediately

2.8 Potting Mix

It is recommended that potting mix have the following attributes:

Air filled porosity 18 – 25%

Water holding capacity 50 – 60%

Nitrogen drawdown index 0.75 – 1.00

(Appendix 2 outlines the methodology for measuring these attributes in potting mix)

2.9 Pots and Trays

The preferred container for raising exotic

pine cuttings is a QNT (Queensland Native

Tube), shown in Figure 5 QNTs are

arranged in 50 cell black plastic trays at a

density of 278/m2 and are light and durable

An alternative container for raising container

exotic pine cuttings was developed by FRC

and is shown in Figure 6 These replica

pots have the same dimensions as the

QNT’s, but use a metal tray, making them

considerably heavier than the plastic QNT

tray

The currently used local container for

raising exotic pine is a black plastic bag,

shown in Figure 7 These are less durable

than the other containers, do not contain

root runners and are more difficult to

transport However they are much cheaper

and lighter than the other pots These pots

have potential, but it is recommended that a

tray that allows drainage be developed so

that they can be placed on racks off the

ground

Pot and tray dimensions are specified in

Table 2

Figure 5 Queensland Native Tray (QNT)

Figure 6 FRC replica pots

Figure 7 Circular plastic bags

Table 2 Pot and tray dimensions

Pot Volume (cc)

2.10 Fertiliser

The optimum fertiliser for raising Pinus seedlings and cuttings is a

slow release, granular mix with the following attributes per m3 of mix:

2.5 kg Slow release fertiliser (12-14 month)

15 : 3.5 : 8.3 NPK + 1.8 Mg + trace elements (Fe 12%, Mn

2.5%, Zn 1.0%, Cu 0.5%,B 0.1%, Mo 0.005%, S 15%, Mg 3.3

% & Ca 5.5%) (Figure 8)

Figure 8 Slow release granular fertiliser with correct balance of nutrients

If a similar product cannot be located in Vietnam, it is acceptable to purchase the following ingredients and mix together as follows per m3 of mix:

830 g 15% Nitrogen

415g 5% P2O5

415g 20% K20

200g each of 2% MgO, 8% S, 0.02%B and 0.01% Zn

Also, it may be worth trialling Nitrophoska perfekt (15:5:20 NPK + 2MG + trace elements), although

it has a high phosphorous level

2.11 Pot and Tray Filling

Pot and tray filling should be conducted as follows The mix needs to be used within one to two weeks of fertiliser incorporation

1 Mix potting mix and fertiliser on a sterile concrete slab (refer to Section 2.2.2)

2 Incorporate fertiliser evenly into potting mix Do random checks

to ensure even distribution of fertiliser

3 Test the pH of the soil using either a pH test kit (Figure 8) or a

pH test probe (as per Appendix 2)

Figure 9 Testing pH of soil using a pH test kit

4 Shake and “thump” trays by hand to compact the mix

Randomly check that pots within the tray have sufficient mix, but not too much mix, by pushing

a finger into the corner of the pot The finger should be able to be pushed down until the first knuckle Finished trays should have a maximum fall of 1 cm following irrigation

5 Place filled trays and pots on benches

6 Irrigate pots to full capacity Carry out checks to ensure high moisture levels are achieved

If non- sterilised media is used, mixing areas must be situated on surfaces and in areas which are unaffected by water runoff and contamination by soil and other possibly contaminated materials

Mixing surfaces and equipment must be able to be cleaned easily Media needs to be stored in facilities that prevent infestation or reinfestation by root rot organisms

3 EXOTIC PINE SHOOT PRODUCTION

Shoot material for production of Pinus cutting plants are derived from hedges It is essential that hedges are actively maintained to produce the maximum amount of healthy material The following chapter outlines the optimum techniques for achieving this

3.1 Hedge Plant Establishment

3.1.1 Raising stock plants

Sow/set seed or cuttings for hedge plants during February

Sow seed into sterilised river sand

Set cuttings into a sterilised potting mix with fertiliser incorporated (as per Section 2.11)

Plants are ready for planting into the hedge area when the root core is bound, after approximately ten months in the nursery

Plants can be spaced more widely in the nursery to achieve the more desirable smaller, compact specimen

Cut hedge plants back to 10cm prior to planting into the hedge area, ensuring the plant still has green needles present and the stem is not woody (i.e the stem is brown when cut) Cut higher up the plant if no green needles are present at this height

As a general rule, apply the following rates of fertiliser to the hedge site:

120kg / ha of Muriate of Potash (KCl, contains ~50% Potassium, equivalent to 60 kg/ha of elemental K)

250kg / ha of Urea (contains ~46% Nitrogen, equivalent of 120 kg / ha of elemental N)

210kg / ha of Super Phosphate (contains ~8.8% P, 11% Sulphur and 20% Calcium, equivalent to 20 kg of elemental P)

Immediately incorporate fertiliser application using a rotary hoe

Once the fertiliser has been applied, weed mat can be laid Weed mat is used to prevent the growth of weeds within the hedges The sides of the 1.8 m wide weed mat are to be buried by hand to a depth of 10cm

3.1.4 Layout

The hedge plants are planted along beds, 500 mm x 500 mm (three rows) (Figure 10) initially and then cut back to two The aim of the three rows is to allow maximum shoot collection in the first year After one year it is recommended that the middle row be removed to enable full development

of hedges in the outer two rows (Figure 11)

Bed numbers and seedlot details are identified by a colour coded tag system Ensure each bed is labelled to ensure each batch is able to be correctly identified in the future Figure 12 shows examples of the tag system used in Queensland

Figure 10 Hedge bed area layout, three rows (Note: not to scale)

Figure 11 Hedge bed area layout, two rows (Note: not to scale)

Figure 12 Batch number tag

3.1.8 Nutrition

Apply foliar fertiliser to hedges (generally weekly) when rapid shoot growth is required on the hedge plants Keep accurate records of foliar fertiliser application Closely monitor nutrient concentrations by collecting and analysing hedge foliage samples Note: Apply foliage fertilisers

in late afternoon to avoid foliage burn

An example of suitable foliar fertiliser is: 2 g/ L Flow Feed EX7 (N 20.3% P 3.3%, K 17.0%, S 4.7%, Fe 0.13%, Mn 0.065%, Zn 0.03%, B 0.03%, Cu 0.01%, Mo, 0.0016%)

500 mm

500 mm

3.1.9 Weed Control

It is important to control weeds within the hedge beds as well as in the rows between hedge beds

as they compete for water and nutrients and also, once they flower and seed can create a larger problem

The use of weed matting along the hedge beds eliminates many of the weed problems in the hedge rows, but does not control weeds between the rows Weeds within the row can be controlled by chemical application, though extreme care should be used Manual control of weeds

is preferable if staff are not familiar with using herbicides Weeding by hand or with the use of chippers can also be used though this needs to be done regularly Remove weeds from the hedge area carefully to prevent damage to roots, cuttings or the stems of hedge plants

Manual removal of weeds within the hedge bed is the only acceptable method and should be done

as frequently as possible

3.1.10 Topping and Edging

The optimum hedge topping height is 10 cm Hedges are cut at this height to increase the juvenility of the stem that the shoots are developing from This improves rooting percentage, cutting vigour and results in a higher number of shoots collected per hedge plant

Hedges can be collected from and topped about four times per year

Prune back or “top” hedge plants after each collection using a sharp cutting instrument (clean regularly with alcohol such as methanol to remove sap build-up and prevent disease transfer between plants)

Factors to remember when topping include:

• Cut just above, as close as possible to the last topping height;

• Cut straight across the top of the plant (as per Figure 13);

• The cuts should ooze resin and/or the stem should be green and flexible, rather than brown and woody If not, you have possibly cut too low

• There should always be some green foliage on the plant after cutting

• Top hedges as soon as possible after cuttings have been collected

Figure 13 A: A diagram illustrating hedge topping and B: a photo of a young hedge being topped

As hedges get older and grow over the edges of the weed mat it is necessary to cut the edge from the sides of the hedges (called “edging”) using a sharp cutting instrument,

as shown in Figures 14 Normally, carry out edging approximately one month following topping This allows the hedges time to recover from the stress of topping before edging commences Cut sides so that a 20 cm buffer is left between the hedge plant and either side of the weed mat, refer to Figure 14

Cut straight across the top of

the plant

20cm

10 cm height