Genesis - the reasons why

The Umi River stand contains plantings of teak; E tereticornis. P caribaea; P oocarpa. These were the responsibility of the regional forestry office. Several other dry land species including a Cassia species were trialled here. The short-gassed level plain was once part of river flood plain of the Markham River which has relocated closer to the Mountain range. The plantation was mainly P caribaea. Later it was used for cultivation of peanuts, corn crops etc. From the Madang road turnoff, we travelled up the steep winding road of the Kassam pass at an altitude of 1500m. The views of the Markham and Ramu river systems is majestic. At the top of Kassam pass one comes into a region of cool fresh air, mountain forests, mountain grasslands and village gardens. Kainantu and environs for inspection of nurseries at Kainantu; Aiyura DASF high coffee station’ nurseries and tree species trials; and village nurseries. Kainantu was serviced by DC3 aircraft; Cessna aircraft and twin otters for the missions; medical training centre; coffee plantations and villages From 1963 to 1964, some 12 blocks were established on traditional lands. By 1966, several blocks had been abandoned. Existing blocks in 1966 included Mantua (b 3); Nori Kori (b 4); Basanumpa (B 5); Bunabura (B6); Suwaira (B8); Arona (B 12). Species included P patula; P caribaea var hondurensis; P Kesiya; P oocarpa; P merkusii; Eucalypt species and amenity plantings as Casuarina oligodona; E grandis; saligna; grandis robusta; torelliana; tereticornis.

Genesis - the reasons why

In the Pinus silvicultural manual compiled by John Smith in 1970; he outlines the importance of the species; the uses of their timbers; their adaptability to high latitude sites; ability to withstand fire and ability to stand variable and infertile soils and soil ph. Smith noted that Pinus has a low mineral nutrient requirement; are fast growing and perform well in plantations format. In PNG they provide an economic crop and improve grassland sites for later planting of araucaria species. Species trialled included P merkusii; P caribaea P kesiya; P patula; P oocarpa; P pseudostrobus; P strobus var chiapensis; P ayacahuite; P michoacana. Work was undertaken to review Pinus collections in other areas. E.g., Queensland. P pseudostrobus at Aiyura maybe P douglasiana. Pinus kesiya was another early introduction. I discovered Pinus taeda at the Kainantu Lodge in 1966. This with other pines were presumably relics of McAdam’s early introductions. Boron deficiency and no mycorrhiza are thought to be the reasons for poor performance.

It was probably 10 to 15 years after McAdam’s introductions that further introductions were trialled. 35 to 37 species seed lots were trialled10 throughout PNG. They included the local P merkusii hybrids form Bulolo. However, identifying these Pinus trials were a taxonomic nightmare. In 1958 and by 1967, serious R & D work was undertaken by J Smith and me. Smith’s work included researching soils; mycorrhiza; nursery techniques and species trials. Issues included:

• Widespread occurrence of boron deficiency in both agricultural and forestry situations

10 Per coms N Howcroft/J Smith 1968