Project Progress Report:" Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in Vietnam - Milestone11 " pptx

Project Abstract The Project seeks to review existing experience with and performance of several tropical conifer species in Vietnam, particularly Caribbean Pine, and to establish furthe

Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development

_

033/05 VIE Milestone11:

Project Completion Report

mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value

plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in

Vietnam

Vietnamese Institution RCFTI, Forest Science Institute of Vietnam (FSIV), MARD

Vietnamese Project Team

Leader

Dr Ha Huy Thinh

Australian Organisation Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ) (Formally trading as

DPI Forestry)

Australian Personnel Mr Ian Last

Completion date (original) February 2008

Completion date (revised) April 2008

Reporting period February 2006 to April 2008 (entire Project Period)

Contact Officer(s)

In Australia: Team Leader and Administrative contact

Position: Manager, Plantation Development

and Innovation

Fax: +61 (0) 7 5482 3430

Organisation Forestry Plantations Queensland Email: ian.last@fpq.qld.gov.au

In Vietnam

Organisation Research Centre for Forest Tree

Improvement, (RCFTI)

Email: rcfti@netnam.vn

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Project Abstract 3

2 Executive Summary 3

3 Introduction and Background 5

4 Progress to Date 5

4.1 Implementation Highlights 5

4.2 Capacity Building 6

4.3 Training Programs 6

4.4 Publicity 7

4.5 Project Management 7

5 Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 7

5.1 Environment 7

5.2 Gender and Social Issues 7

6 Implementation Issues 7

6.1 Issues and Constraints 7

7 Conclusion 8

8 Sign-Off Error! Bookmark not defined

Appendix A: Project “Logframe”: Progress against objectives, outputs and activities.9

1 Project Abstract

The Project 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 Vietnamese Forest Research institutions

relating to Pinus tree improvement and mass propagation systems via training in Queensland

(Qld) and Vietnam, development of small scale hedge and nursery infrastructure, and a study tour to Australia, involving innovative Vietnamese forest managers / researchers

Finally, the project will build awareness amongst large and small-scale forest growers including ethnic minorities, through the establishment of collaborative demonstration plantings in priority

regions for Pinus plantation expansion, supported by appropriate training

During the two-year project period, the following objectives and outputs were achieved:

1 The performance of Caribbean Pine, including its three varieties and related hybrids, was reported in comparison to other tropical pines traditionally grown in Vietnam based

on a review and analysis of existing trials, including re-measures of some trials;

2 The Project delivered institutional capacity building in the establishment and management of hedge and containerised nursery systems for the mass vegetative propagation of tropical pines including training in Queensland and Vietnam and the esdtablishment and operation of three pilot hedge and nursery facilities; and

3 The Project will provide ongoing awareness to large and small scale forest growers (including ethnic minorities) regarding the potential of alternative tropical pines in Vietnam, including Caribbean Pine and related hybrids, via the establishment of a network of genetic and demonstration trials in major pine growing regions throughout the country

In addition, the networks, facilities and trials developed as part of this Project will facilitate future collaboration opportunities between the project partners to promote further long-term expansion and improvement of Vietnam’s pine resource

2 Executive Summary

Achievement of the three project objectives and related outputs has generally been in accordance

with the project logframe (Refer Appendix A)

Objective 1: Genetic trials

A report on the comparative performance of Pinus caribaea in Vietnam was completed based on

existing and newly collected data from 17 trials planted since 1976 by the Forest Research Centre

(FRC) in Phu Tho Province and the Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement (RCFTI)

in Hanoi Refer Milestone 8 The trials are located across the four major bio-geographic

regions of Vietnam (Northern areas of Vietnam from Hanoi extending to the border with China; low elevation sites in Central Vietnam; the Central Highlands of Vietnam; and low

elevation regions of Southern Vietnam in the vicinity of Ho Chi Minh City) on site-types believed to be suitable for pine plantations

The report demonstrated the general superiority of P caribaea over the current plantation species (P merkussii, P kesiya and P massoniana) It also provided comparative information between that various varieties of P caribaea, provenance differences, hybrid performance and suggestions to assist future P caribaea breeding strategy and tree

improvement more generally

A network of 8 genetic trials was established in the North, Central Coast and Central Highlands bio-geographic regions of Vietnam comparing “standard” and “improved”

sources of P caribaea (Queensland and Vietnam origin) and hybrids (Qld) with locally

planted pine species Refer Milestone 4

Objective 2: Techniques for vegetative propagation of pines

Training in hedge establishment and management and containerised nursery systems for the mass vegetative propagation of pines was delivered to key Vietnamese technicians in Queensland (Gympie and Toolara Nursery, May 2006) and Vietnam (Ba Vi and Dalat, May 2007)

A comprehensive Manual, based on Queensland techniques and adapted to Vietnamese conditions, was prepared to assist with the establishment of hedge and containerised

nursery facilities for raising pine cuttings (Refer Milestone 5)

Three pilot-scale hedge and containerised nursery facilities were established at Ba Vi (RCFTI), Phu Ninh (FRC) and Dalat (Lamdong FRC) and small scale production of cuttings stock has commenced Unfortunately, the hedge areas at Ba Vi and, to a lesser extent Phu Ninh, suffered widespread mortality following extreme heat in July 2007 which

is believed to have “cooked” the root systems The Dalat hedge area is performing well

Refer Milestone 7

Despite this setback, the training and practical experience gained at all three sites has provided key individuals across the various institutions and sites with the necessary competencies to continue the work started as part of this project Additional information related to grafting and pollination techniques for pines in Queensland has also been

provided Refer Milestone 10

Objective 3: Demonstration trials

Four demonstration trials comparing locally planted pines with Caribbean Pine have been established in co-operation with large and small-scale forest growers, including involvement and support from local ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands

region Refer Milestone 9 These trials complement the smaller scale, replicated genetic

trials which will be used for future statistical comparisons

In summary, the Project has achieved its objectives as described in the project title:

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

The Project and its outputs will provide a useful foundation for policy makers, existing and potential forest growers with an interest in expanding pine plantations and improving their productivity in Vietnam, based on improved genetic material

3 Introduction and Background

Project objectives, outputs expected, approach and methodology are as follows:

Objective 1: Identify the most highly productive, well-adapted varieties and hybrids of Pinus

caribaea, in comparison to other pine species currently planted, for priority pine planting zones

Output 1.1: Review and report comparative performance of pines in Vietnam based on existing

trials and related information

Output 1.2: Establish genetic evaluation trials to compare performance of locally available and introduced pines on multiple sites throughout key regions in Vietnam

Output 1.3: Review pine genetic resources and related breeding strategies and capabilities /

resources in Vietnam, particularly for Pinus caribaea and related hybrids

Objective 2: Provide practical training and support to forest research institutes in Vietnam to

enable the development and local adaptation of hedge and containerised nursery systems for the mass propagation of pine cuttings

Output 2.1: Trained personnel able to establish and manage hedge beds, collect and set shoots and raise containerised cuttings

Output 2.2: Locally adapted Nursery Manual and related checklists developed

Output 2.3: 3 Pilot scale hedge and containerised nursery facilities established and various

prescriptions tested

Objective 3: Create improved awareness amongst rural poor smallholders and industrial forest

growers in key pine growing regions, regarding the potential performance of improved varieties of Caribbean pine to supply a range of forest products and services via the establishment of demonstration plantings in collaboration with local land owners.

Output 3.1: Establish two demonstration trials with a large scale forest grower

Output 3.2: Establish community and individual farmer managed plantings in collaboration with two local ethnic minority communities

The approach and methodology to achieve these objectives and outputs includes:

• Practical nursery training (in Queensland and Vietnam), supported by manuals;

• Development of pilot nursery facilities to test and locally adapt new methods;

• Study tours to expose Vietnamese researchers to novel approaches to forest management;

• Review and analysis of existing tree improvement trials and strategies and the development

of revised approaches, supported by new field trials and demonstration plantings

4 Progress to Date

4.1 Implementation Highlights

Refer to Appendix A for progress against the detailed Project Logframe

General

ƒ Inception Meeting at Hanoi (15/2/06) attended by over 20 participants

ƒ Study tour to Australia by Vietnamese researchers (Jun’06)

Objective 1

ƒ Output 1.1: Completed Technical report titled “Review of the Performance and

suitability of Pinus caribaea in Vietnam” submitted to CARD PMU (Milestone 8)

ƒ Output 1.2: Completed Genetic evaluation trials established at 8 sites Report

submitted under Milestone 4

ƒ Output 1.3: Completed as part of Milestone 8 As a result, there are ongoing

discussions with RCFTI staff regarding enhancements to current breeding strategy based on key findings from Output 1.1

Objective 2

ƒ Output 2.1: Completed nursery training in Qld (May’06) and Vietnam (May’07)

ƒ Output 2.2: Completed Nursery Manual (June-July’07) (including translation)

ƒ Output 2.3: Completed construction and operation of pilot hedge sites at Ba Vi,

Phu Ninh and Dalat, including several trials, however extreme heat in July’07 casued extensive mortality to hedges at Ba Vi and, to a lesser extent, Phu Nih

Objective 3

ƒ Output 3.1: Completed planting of demonstration trials with local minority people

at Dak P’Lao (Dak Lak) Ethnic minority people also involved in demonstration trial at Lam Dong (see Output 3.2)

ƒ Output 3.2: Completed planting of demonstration trials with commercial forest growers in Lam Dong, Nghe An and Quang Tri Provinces

4.2 Capacity Building

Capacity building initiatives during the life of the project include the following:

• Delivery of nursery training in Queensland and Vietnam (see 4.3 below)

• Follow up competency assessments for key individuals

• A comprehensive manual, based on Queensland techniques and adapted to Vietnamese conditions, for the establishment of hedge and containerised nursery facilities for raising pine cuttings

• Practical experience gained in the construction and operation of hedge and containerised nursery facilities for raising pine cuttings at three locations in Vietnam

• A study tour to Australia (combined with another CARD “Acacia” Project) involving influential leaders from forest research and production centres throughout Vietnam

• Presentations on grafting and pollination techniques as used in Queenslands pine tree improvement program

4.3 Training Programs

On site nursery training was provided at Ba Vi (Ha Tay) and Dalat (Lam Dong) in May’07 This involved practical and theoretical training in nursery design and hygiene, potting mix

preparation and testing, hedge layout and management, shoot collection and setting, watering and nutrition regimes and sorting and conditioning guidelines field prior to field planting The practical training is complemented by a comprehensive Nursery Manual and related checklists (English and Vietnamese versions)

4.4 Publicity

Apart from an article in the CARD Newsletter and highlights in FPQ’s annual report, there has been limited publicity of project activities and outcomes

4.5 Project Management

There have been no major Project Management issues, with all project partners and stakeholders working well together including a good flow of information

5 Report on Cross-Cutting Issues

5.1 Environment

There have been no major (negative) environmental issues associated with the Project

5.2 Gender and Social Issues

Nursery training in Vietnam involved a mix of genders on both the delivery and trainee sides

6 Implementation Issues

6.1 Issues and Constraints

Issues and constraints either affecting the project or worthy of consideration beyond the life

of the CARD project are discussed below

ƒ Genetic trials: Roles and responsibilities for future management of genetic trials is

summarised in the Milestone 4 report The periodic tending of vigorous regrowth at several sites will continue to be an issue, at least until the pines reach “canopy closure” stage The clear identification of plot boundaries, periodic inspections, re-measures and reports are all ongoing priorities that will need to be resourced by responsible agencies

ƒ Trial Health assessments: Specific assessments for general health, pest and disease

impacts should be considered at some sites as part of any future “Forest Health” CARD project or similar initiative, especially since the Queensland treatments have not been developed or selected in the presence of any serious pest and disease populations, such as those present in parts of Vietnam

ƒ Demonstration Trials: The demonstration trials are still quite young and will need

ongoing tending and maintenance to ensure their successful establishment Periodic reporting is also desirable

ƒ Field Days: Once the genetic and demonstration trials reach around 4 years old and

differences between treatments are apparent, it would be useful to organise some field days for local forest growers and other interested parties

Collectively, these initiatives are expected to make a positive long-term impact on the future of the pine plantation sector in Vietnam, although it is recognised that there are many other issues beyond the scope of this project that also need to be addressed

ƒ Provided capacity building to over 20 forest technicians from several institutions, including intensive training in Queensland for 4 participants

ƒ Introduced new techniques for the vegetative propagation of tropical pines in Vietnam, adapted from methods used in Queensland, including the establishment of 3 pilot nursery facilities and production of a detailed procedures manual; and

ƒ Established new genetic trials and demonstration trials across a wide range of environments using best available material to enable ongoing comparisons with locally planted pines;

ƒ Identified Caribbean Pine varieties, provenances and hybrids with best potential in particular parts of Vietnam;

ƒ Confirmed the general superiority of Caribbean Pine over traditionally planted pines across many environments in Vietnam;

The project, now completed, will provide a solid foundation for the further development of initiatives to scale up the production of Caribbean Pine and related hybrids in Vietnam It has:

7 Conclusion

ƒ Nursery practices The need for careful control of the watering regime and

well-drained open-sun areas for the shoots once rooting commences has been highlighted

in previous reports (eg Milestone 7) The research scale shade house at Dalat, which

is used for a wide variety of projects, is likely to be too small for the number of shoots that will potentially become available from the Dalat hedge site A new nursery facility will be required if it is proposed to seriously scale up shoot production and, hence plantation production The recently constructed nursery and forest office at Dak P’Lao in Dak Lak province could be used as an extended pilot area to further develop hedge and nursery techniques for Pinus caribaea cuttings production

ƒ Hedge Management: The widespread death of hedges following extreme heat

conditions in July 2007 at both Ba Vi and Phu Ninh has limited their future potential to produce shoots Project partners are considering re-establishment of replacement hedges using slightly revised protocols (and perhaps some alternative pine varieties and hybrids) to reduce heat damage risks Recommendations have been provided in Milestone report 7 The hedges at Dalat continue to look good

Appendix A: Project “Logframe”: Progress against objectives, outputs and activities

Project Title: Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass-propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea

and related hybrids in Vietnam

Vietnamese Implementing Institution: RCFTI, Forest Science Institute of Vietnam (FSIV), MARD

Measures

OBJECTIVE

1

Identify, for the benefit of existing and prospective pine growers in Vietnam, the most highly productive, well-adapted varieties and hybrids of

Pinus caribaea, in comparison to

other pine species currently planted, for priority pine planting zones

i Existing trials reviewed

ii New trials established

1 Trials can be translated and collated in an appropriate time frame

Pine breeding strategy and related capacities reviewed and strengthened

2 Suitable sites can be identified for trials

3 Interference/ disturbance to trial areas can be minimised

4 UQ researcher can obtain sufficient information from relevant Vn staff during &

after field visits

Project Objective and related performance measures (i) and (ii) achieved

RCFTI has the institutional capacity to ensure the long-term sustainability of the outcomes achieved, including maintenance and assessment of existing and new trials arising from project

The project has provided additional information and options to strengthen Vietnam’s pine breeding strategy and tree improvement program These matters need to be considered in further detail by RCFTI in the context of competing priorities

OUTPUT 1.1 Review and report on comparative

performance of tropical pines in Vietnam based on existing trials and related information

Timely delivery of

“easy to read” report that takes account of all relevant & available information, including information from recent trial assessments.

1.Existing information & data can be readily located (&

translated if necessary) &

provided to UQ researcher

2 Priority trials can be accurately re-assessed in a timely fashion

3 UQ researcher can analyse available information &

prepare report on time

RCFTI) to interested parties throughout Vietnam

to inform future pine plantation considerations

ACTIVITY Consult with past & present Vn Jan-Feb ’06 (UQ – incl In Progress Report 1 • Activity completed

1.1.1 researchers regarding existence of

pine trials and related data

Site visits)

1.1.2 Obtain relevant reports and related

data & inspect trials within limits of project resources

revealed some shortcomings in existing data (Not a major issue to overall objective)

1.1.3 Identify priority trials & re-measure Feb – March’06

(UQ/RCFTI/FRC)

Activity completed

1.1.5 Draft Report & seek feedback from

partners

Activity 1.1.7 Presentation at Stakeholders

Workshop

Output 1.2

Establish genetic evaluation trials to compare performance of locally available and introduced pines (esp

PCH & hybrids) on multiple sites throughout North Central, Central Coast and Central Highlands regions

of Vietnam

(Output will support local research institute capacity building in relation

to planning & implementation of field trials Well established / maintained/ assessed trials will provide valuable medium - long term information on performance of various pines in Vietnam, to support longer term social & economic development options)

ƒ Trials properly established on 5-6 sites using agreed replicated design and taxa treatments

Suitable sites can be readily confirmed & prepared for planting

Sufficient stock for each treatment x site can be raised

in time for planting season Skilled labour is available to establish trials at each site &

weather conditions are favourable

FPQ staff are available to provide field support / training including assist with report preparation

Project Outputs completed (exceeded)

8 Genetic trial sites established (Refer Milestone 4 Report submitted March’07)

Note: Since 2 of the trials were not planted until

December 2007, it is planned to update MS 4 report

so that it includes actual (not planed) details for the final two Central Coast sites

The long-term impact of these trials will depend on the extent to which project partners maintain the trials in good condition (eg protection from weeds, fire, grazing damage, other disturbances) and continue to periodically collect data from each site Proposed responsibilities are outlined in MS 4 report

Activity 1.2.1

Identify trial partners, trial sites, trial design, including genetic treatments and working plan(s) for each site

Jan-Feb 06: (DPI Forestry, UQ, RCFTI &

relevant Vn partners)

Activity completed