Growth of acacia hybrid (A-mangium x A-auriculiformis) on coastal sandy soil

A plantation of Acacia hybrid was established at FRIM substation in Setiu in 2002 as a trial plantation on BRIS soil. The Acacia hybrid was propagated in FRIM's laboratory from tissue culture and raised in the nursery for six months transplanting. Planting holes were dug without clearing the sites to avoid extreme soil temperature. These planting media were added to improve water retention capacity and to provide additional nutrients to the soil. Soil and foliar samplings were carried out based on two comparative classifications, namely, good and poor growth sites. The survival rate was low at the poor site with only 53% survival compared with 87% at the good site. The site that supported good growth was clearly superior in soil nutrient levels, which indicates that soil fertility has a significant effect on growth rate.