USING FIGS (Ficus
spp.) TO PROMOTE
RESTORATION OF TROPICAL MOIST FOREST FROM ABANDONED CATTLE PASTURE AT EL CENTRO
DE CONSERVACIÓN
Alan Journet and Kathy Conway
In June 1998, two trials were undertaken. One involved harvesting another series of large branches or estacas from the figs, and planting them in a different pasture. The second involved harvesting fruit from figs species in order to grow seedlings from seed.
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Figure 1. In June 1998 fruits were harvested from two species of figs (Ficus obtusifolia and F. jimenezii). The seeds were sown in flats. They germinated successfully about a month later. (Photo: Brian WIlliams, August 1998) |
| Figure 2. Germination rate was quite high among these seeds, with many seedlings in most cells. (Photo: Brian Williams, August 1998) |  |
Unfortunately, most of these seedlings perished during the dry season when conditions were extremely dry, and insufficient irrigation was provided.
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Figure 3. Although most of these seedlings dried and died, one year later, after replanting to large pots, surviving seedlings were some 20 - 30 cm. tall. These are ready to transplant to the field. Dennis Ortiz O. is seen holding one specimen (Photo: Alan Journet, July 1999) |
| Figure 4. Kathy Conway is seen admiring two
more of the surviving figs. (Photo: Alan Journet July 1999).
Unfortunately, these seedlings perished before being planted out into the pasture. |
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In June 1999, a second attempt was made to rear seedlings from seeds, this time incorporating the three species of non-strangler, non-riparian local fig species (F. obtusifolia, F. jimenezii, and F. popenoei). In addition, small terminal shoots (estaquitas) were harvested from the three species, most of the leaves removed, and the cut tips treated with root-promoting hormone.
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Figure 5. A sample of Ficus popenoei growing on the edge of a primary forest gallery from which fruit and branches were harvested for the 1999 trial (Photo: Alan Journet, July 1999) |
| Figure 6. Two Volunteers from Holland: Margot Hamel and Juan Tates are seen with Kathy Conway and Nuseryman Sebastián Lopez beginning the planting procedure. (Photo: Alan Journet, June 1999) |
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| Figure 7. Margot Hamel and Juan Tates with with Kathy Conway and Nuseryman Sebastián Lopez continue the planting procedure. (Photo: Alan Journet, June 1999) |
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Unfortunately, during the wet season, severe flooding washed away all the seed flats and potted estaquitas. |
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Seeds of F. jimenezii and F popenoei germinate in about four weeks. The larger seeds of F. popenoei produce more robust seedlings (front left vs. front right) (mid September 2000) (Photo Alan Journet Sept, 2000) |
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F. jimenezii seedlings grown successfully in the sand culture. Germination success: 45%, though this includes 8% that were free of chlorophyll. (Photo Alan Journet Sept, 2000) |
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F. popenoei seeds are larger, while the seedlings also grow faster and seem more robust . Germination success 35% (Photo Alan Journet Sept, 2000) |
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Grown in a sand medium, moisture is maintained by puncturing the petri dish and standing this in a larger 'water bath' dish. The seedlings survived. A trial set of 12 specimens was transplanted after four weeks with 90% success into a 50/50 sand peat mixture. (Photo Alan Journet Oct, 2000) |
| On October 10th, 45 of the most robust specimens of each species were similarly transplanted. | |
| November
10th, 2000 F. popenoei and F. jimenezii Almost 100% of the transplanted seedlings exhibited successful establishment following transplantation.
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The larger-seeded F. popenoei seedlings remained more robust through 3 months of growth.
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| November
27th, 2000 F. popenoei
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| By September 2001, surviving specimens had grown well | |
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While F. jimenezii (left) reached app. 20 cm. the more robust F. popenoei (right) reached 25 cm. (Photo: Alan Journet) |
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| Page Last Updated | 08/11/06 03:49 PM |
© 1999 Office of Instructional Technology
Southeast Missouri State University
