Edilberto E. Nasayao, Loida Z. Nasayao, Marulen A. Zara and Edilberto V. Ulep
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted through site surveys and interviews. Melia dubia Cav. belongs to family Meliaceae and is found out to be indigenously growing in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. Commonly named “bagalunga”, M. dubia grows in sites within 10°00′ to 11°30′ north latitude and 124°30′ to 125°15′ east longitude; along beaches, narrow alluvial plains, and in undulating to sloping landscapes with elevation of 5 m to 370 m above sea level. It grows in mixture with shrub and other pioneering tree species in grassland and abandoned clearings that are developing toward a second growth forest: thrives on calcareous and non-calcareous soils that developed from limestone, shale, sandstone and rock materials of igneous origin and recent alluvial deposits; on sand, sandy loam to clay and clay loam soils with poor to fairly rich in OM content. The sites have an (average) annual rainfall of 1666 to 2428 mm more or less evenly distributed throughout the year. In general, local inhabitants use the species for timber production, ecological rehabilitation and agroforestry. Melia dubia is fast-growing and possesses strong potential as a reforestation and agroforestry species.
Keywords: Melia dubia, multipurpose tree, ecology, seed germination, research needs.
Annals of Tropical Research 16(3):(1994)
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