Propagation of Dalbergia cochinchinensis by grafting for seed source establishment
Due to overexploitation, seed trees of Dalbergia cochinchinensis are now difficult to find in the wild, constraining opportunities for tree planting and local nursery businesses. In this sense, the project team in Cambodia assisted Mr. Sok Em, a farmer in Pursat province, to establish a seed source of Dalbergia cochinchinensis. Grafting was chosen as propagation method because grafted trees start to produce seeds early on (within 4 years instead of 15 with the regular planting method).
There were three steps in the grafting propagation process:
- Training of project staff by an expert in grafting at IRD’s nursery in Phnom Penh.
- Handling of the grafting techniques to Mr. Suth Sok Em at his nursery in Pursat Province.
- Practice of the technique and mass-production of seedlings by Mr. Suth Sok Em at his nursery.
By June 2020, a total of 350 grafted seedlings of Dalbergia cochinchinensis had been produced for planting in the next wet season.
