SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL FORESTRY

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH

SEMESTER II SESSION 2010/2011

FT10403
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY (Group Project)

Objective
The objective of these projects is to provide you with some understanding of the control of
growth in trees, to give you an opportunity to learn some simple techniques used by tree
physiologists.

Procedure
Each experiment will be performed by a group of 10 students. You will divide yourselves
into research groups. Each group will be given an experimental protocol to follow. The
experiments will last up to 6 weeks. Measurements on your plants will be made at least
twice per week, more often for some experiments. In most cases, you will initially do simple
growth measurements, such as height, diameter, number and length of lateral branches, etc.

Experiments on Mature Trees

Each group is to choose 3 Acacia mangium trees (2 for treatments, 1 for control) at UMS
campus. Choose healthy branches at the bottom of the crown. Mark two similar branches
on each tree with tags. Impose the following treatments and measurements:

Measurements for all experiment groups, to be made twice weekly:

a) Number of lateral branches (above and below girdle for Experiment 2).
b) Cumulative length of lateral branches. Measure the length of each lateral branch
and calculate the total length (above and below girdle for Experiment 2).
c) Stem diameter. Make a paint mark on the branch and measure diameter, using the
diameter tape/calipers (for smaller branch) provided (above and below girdle for
Experiment 2).

Experiment 1: Defoliation
Defoliation is common in trees, usually a result from insect feeding or drought.
Obviously, defoliation removes the photosynthetic surface, and this surface must be
quickly replaced if the trees are to survive. You will imitate this natural process, and
determine the responses of Acacia branches to defoliation.

In addition to the measurements described above (a, b, c), measure the number of new
leaves and their length (which will be used to determine area) on the defoliated and
control branches, to determine how rapidly the trees replace their photosynthetic area.

Experiment 2: Girdling
Girdling is an interesting phenomenon. It occurs naturally as a result of wounding or
animal feeding, and has long been used by forest biologists as an experimental tool for
looking at growth regulation. You will girdle Acacia branches and examine growth
responses. Although most of the expected responses will be on diameter growth, there
may be some effects on shoot growth as well.

In addition to the measurements described above, you should make careful observation
on any changes which occur at the site of girdling, including the production of callus.

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Experiment 3: Angle Changing
Branch angles in trees may be changed naturally or by damage to the crown. In
addition, shoot tips are commonly lost to insect damage, disease and other effects. You
will mimic these processes by changing the angle of branches and also by decapitation
of branches. You should expect most changes to occur in numbers of branches. For the
decapitation experiment, most of the changes are likely to occur close to the shoot tip
that was removed.

In addition to the measurements described above, you should record separately the
lengths of any new branches which form from suppressed buds. This is likely to occur
just behind the decapitated tips and at the top of the bend in the branches whose angles
you change.

Materials and Equipment

Each group is responsible to make their own arrangements to make use and to return in
original condition of the school’s material and equipment. Refer to Mr. Ahmad Dasuki
Kodong (Laboratory Assistance) for this purpose.

Report

The final report is to be in A4 paper, typewritten which is to include all results, a review of
relevant literature (including at least 10 references) and a discussion of the significance of
the results, at least 5,000 words. The format of the report is: Introduction, Materials and
Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusion, References. This report is due on 1 MARCH
2011, TUESDAY submit to the Course Coordinator. Each group will submit 1 final report
only. Each group will do an oral presentation during the laboratory session of that week. All
group members must be present during the presentation. All the best!