The potential of introducing new variety of Acacia hybrids in agroforestry systems

Abstract

The increases of multiple economic uses and ecological functions are among the essential targets in developing agroforestry systems. In this case, selecting the appropriate species with the range of characters adapted to agroforestry systems would become important. Breeding practices could be applied to produce high productive trees with such desired characters. Some Acacias species have been commonly planted under agroforestry systems in several locations, particularly in Java Island, due to producing good quality of wood for home industries and the ability to grow in multi-species associations. Acacia hybrids are new variety resulted from breeding through a crossing between two Acacias: Acacia mangium and A. auriculiformis. The main target of breeding for this variety is to produce a higher quality of wood combining the good properties from each both of parents in a shorter rotation. Although the breeding process mainly imposed the selection for better growth, tolerance pest and disease, and wood properties as primary economic production, the variety also performs other potential characters suitable for agroforestry systems such as light branching for stimulating the growth of crops, abundant flowers for increasing food for honey bee, produce tannin from bark residu, and high quality of wood pellet from the sawdust.