Download This PaperIncidence of Heart Rot in a University Owned Plantation Forest: Implication on Forest Management
journal of biodiversity and environmental science, 2018
6 Pages Posted: 27 May 2020
Date Written: December 15, 2018
Abstract
The occurrence of heart rots in logs reduces the yield. Thus, assessment of heart rot occurrence is necessary to provide information necessary for proper forest management intervention to reduce the severity of heart rot and thereby increase total yield. In this study, a survey on the occurrence of heart rot in logs harvested from a university-owned plantation forest was conducted to assess its severity. The implication of heart rot occurrence on forest management was also determined. All Acacia mangium Willd. and Gmelina arborea Roxb. logs present at the sawmill were inspected. The gross and cull volume were computed and the severity of heart rot were classified according to the percentage of heart rot volume to the gross volume of the logs. A total of 40 logs were assessed for heart rot intensity, 21 of which were G. arborea and the remaining were A. mangium. A 100 percent occurrence of heart rot were observed in alllogs but generally the severity was low. However, in some A. mangium logs, moderate and high level of heart rot intensity were observed in which a cull volume of 20% and 38% were recorded. There is a positive correlation between age and occurrence of heart rot. The plantation forest in this study were already over mature hence, the plantation manager is advised to reconsider their practice and follow the prescribed harvesting method for plantation forest.
Keywords: Heart rot, wood decay, Plantation forest, Tropical plantation, Tree disease
JEL Classification: Q23
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