Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Program 033/05VIE Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass- propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea and related hybrids in Vietnam MS2: First 6 monthly project Progress report February – August, 2006 Institute Information Project Name Field evaluation and advanced vegetative 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 (Formally trading as DPI Forestry) Australian Personnel Mr Ian Last Date commenced February 2006 Completion date (original) February 2008 Completion date (revised) February 2008 Reporting period 6 months to February 2007. Contact Officer(s) In Australia: Team Leader Name: Ian Last Telephone: +61 (0) 7 5482 0891 Position: Manager, Forest Policy Fax: +61 (0) 7 5482 3430 Organisation Forestry Plantations Queensland Email: ian.last@fpq.qld.gov.au In Australia: Administrative contact Name: Ian Last Telephone: +61 (0) 7 5482 0891 Position: Manager, Forest Policy Fax: +61 (0) 7 5482 3430 Organisation Forestry Plantations Queensland Email: ian.last@fpq.qld.gov.au In Vietnam Name: Dr Ha Huy Thinh Telephone: Office: (84) 4 8389369 Mob: (84) 9120 60717 Position: Director Fax: (84) 4 836 2280 Organisation Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement, (RCFTI) Email: rcfti@vnn.vn 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 replicated trials of improved genetic material, including pine hybrids. Additionally, the project will provide capacity building for several Vietnamese Forest Research institutions relating to conifer tree improvement and mass propagation, particularly via vegetative cuttings. Capacity building will be via hands on training in both Queensland and Vietnam, development of small scale pilot hedge and containerised nursery infrastructure, and a study tour to Australia involving innovative Vietnamese forest managers / researchers. Finally, the project will build 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. Executive Summary Progress during the first 6 month reporting period has generally been in accordance with the project Logframe. Highlights include the Inception meeting (Feb’06), Nursery Training in Queensland (May’06), Australian Study Tour (Jun’06), planting of genetic trials at 5 sites ( Jul’06) and preliminary review of existing trials to support development of draft breeding strategy (Jul’06). Construction of the 3 pilot nurseries is progressing well (due for completion Sept’06) in preparation for the first setting of cuttings (Oct’06). The Australian project leader plans to visit Vietnam in November 2006 to review progress against all objectives and discuss any emerging issues with Vietnamese partners. 3. Introduction & Background Project objectives, outputs expected, approach and methodology can be summarised as follows: 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 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. Key achievements during the reporting period include: 1. Successful Inception Meeting in Hanoi with Project partners (Feb’06) 2. Review of existing (Vn) nursery infrastructure completed (Feb’06) 3. Phase 1 nursery training (Queensland) completed (May’06) 4. Shipped materials for set up of pilot nurseries (3) to Vn (Jun’06) 5. Draft Nursery Manual prepared, discussed with trainees and translated into Vietnamese 6. Successful study tour to Australia by leading Vietnamese forest researchers (Jun’06) 7. Inspected (Vn) pine genetic trials and associated data sets from lead institutions (Feb& Jul’06) 8. Seedlings raised for all genetic trials and 5 of 6 sites planted (Jul’06) 9. Plants raised for establishing hedges in pilot nurseries (Feb – July’06) and most site works completed 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 on 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 containerised 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 generalise approach and methodology being used to achieve these objectives and outputs includes: • Practical nursery training (in Queensland and Vietnam), supported by customised procedural 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 General Successful Inception Meeting at Hanoi (15/2/06) attended by over 20 participants Successful study tour to Australia by Vietnamese researchers (Jun’06) Objective 1 Trial design agreed, seedlings raised and 5 of 6 genetic trials planted (Feb – Jul’06) Initial inspection of various pine trials throughout Vietnam (Feb’06) Review/ validation / analysis of available data on pine trials in Vietnam, discussions with key researchers and preparation of draft review report (Jul – Aug ‘06) Discussions on future breeding strategies between key Vietnamese and Queensland researchers (Jul’06) Objective 2 Inspected existing forest nurseries and proposed sites for (3) pilot nurseries (Feb’06) Nursery training in Queensland completed (May’06) Draft Nursery Manual prepared, discussed with trainees and translated. (May- Jun’06) Plants raised for nursery hedges now ready for planting. Site work for the hedge areas completed for each of the (3) nurseries (Jun-Jul’06) Nursery equipment (ex Australia) delivered to (3) nurseries in Vietnam (Jun’06) Objective 3 Initial meeting with local minority people at Dak P’Lao, site of proposed demonstration planting (Feb’06) Detailed implementation progress is recorded in attached Progress Report Logframe 4.2 Capacity Building See section 4.3 for details regarding Nursery Training The June 2006 Australian Forestry Study Tour (4 + 4 participants) involved visits to research institutions, several experimental trials, routine forest operations (several plantation types) and several advanced forest products processing facilities, as well as presentations by leading Australian forest researchers and managers. Additional funding has been sourced to enable one of the key (female) Vietnamese project staff to visit Queensland for 3 months (late August – late November 2006) to support project outcomes. This will greatly enhance project communication and outputs and individual and institutional capacity building for the relevant Vietnamese institution (RCFTI). 4.3 Training Programs Nursery training (4 participants) involved practical and theoretical training in cuttings propagation techniques, health and hygiene practices, as well as other technical aspects of nursery management. To reinforce learning outcomes, a draft Nursery Manual has been prepared (provided to participants) and translated into Vietnamese as a reference source for other nursery managers. The draft Manual will be revised following scheduled training in Vietnam, once partners have had more local experience with the new techniques. 4.4 Publicity There has been limited project publicity to date (eg mention in DPI Forestry Yearbook and Calendar). This situation may change following completion of the pilot nurseries and field establishment of the genetic trials. 4.5 Project Management There have been no major issues relating to Project Management. 5. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 5.1 Environment There have been no major (negative) environmental issues associated with the Project (and none are expected). Environmental aspects and impacts will be reviewed following completion of the pilot nurseries and field establishment of the genetic trials. 5.2 Gender and Social Issues The Nursery Training in Queensland was conducted by women and involved 50% representation by women trainees. As mentioned under 4.2 above, additional funding has been secured for a 3-month intensive training program for one of the key (female) project staff to visit Queensland. Discussions with small holders and ethnic minority groups regarding demonstration plantings are only at a formative stage at this early phase in the project. Smallholder involvement is planned as a year 2 output. 6. Implementation Issues 6.1 Issues and Constraints To date, there have been no major issues or constraints affecting the overall planned objectives and Outputs. Minor issues are addressed in further detail within the logframe. Briefly these relate to: Some shortcomings in available data associated with review of existing pine trials. Incomplete germination of seed forwarded to partners resulted in minor modifications to previously agreed design of genetics trials. Delayed completion of pilot nursery and hedge facilities. Anticipated delays were discussed at the May’06 Nursery Training Workshop where it was resolved to commence pruning the hedge plants while they were still in pots to encourage early shoot development prior to field planting in nursery beds. It is expected that infrastructure for the pilot nurseries will be completed by September. This should coincide with the first planned setting of cuttings. 6.2 Options Options (actions taken) to address issues and constraints are covered in 6.1 above. 7. Conclusion Overall, the project is progressing well with most planned activities either complete or well-advanced. The Nursery Training Workshop and Study Tours to Queensland were both highly successful and key genetic trials have recently been established. Information has been gathered to inform the review of genetic trials and development of breeding strategy options. Construction of pilot nurseries is well advanced and due for completion in September. Hedge plants are developing well and should be field planted in the near future. The Australian Project leader plans to visit Vietnam in November to inspect recently planted field trials and pilot nurseries and progress discussions regarding breeding strategy development and demonstration plantings (large and small scale) planned for Year 2 of the Project. . advanced vegetative 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. Collaboration for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) Program 033/05VIE Field evaluation and advanced vegetative mass- propagation technology for scaling up high-value plantations of Pinus caribaea. building for Vietnamese Forest Research institutions relating to Pinus tree improvement and mass propagation systems via training in Queensland and Vietnam, development of small scale hedge and