Ecological Characteristic and Production of Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Brem. At Phrae Province

Abstract

Studies on ecological characteristic and production of Hom (Baphicacanthus cusia) at Phrae province, during March to September 2012. In preliminary surveys, Merchants of “Hom” were interviewed as well as the owners of land use “Hom” and was found on elevation around 600 to 800 m a.s.l. Three sites of studes were selected according on level of elevation at 615, 625, and 700 m a.s.l. and three villages were Natong, Nakhuha and Mae Lua villages, respectively. Surveying on 3 homegardens of each village. The natural sites studied of “Hom” were sampling of each village and made comparson. Plot size was 10x10 m for tree surveyed at the middle of each site. At plot size 10x10 m was divided into four plot sizes at 5x5 m for sapling and Baphicacanthus cusia surveyed, at the bottom left of corner was sampling plot size 2x2 m for seedling surveyed. At the middle of each site were soil sampled at two depths at surface soil (0-5 cm) and subsurface soil (20-25 cm), composite method after that the sample of soil were air dry and pass sieve size of 5 mm. After that, soil properties were analyzed in soil laboratory at Chiang Mai University. The result was found as follow : the height of dominant trees was 15-20 meters trees species were Areca catechu and Cocos nucifera. The co – dominant layers were 5 to 10 m height of trees species were Trevesia palmata and Tectona grandis. The height less than 5 m were sapling, shrub and seedling the number of vegetation species were 6 to 33 such as Coffea arabica, Codiaeum variegatum, Alpinia siamense,  Acacia pennata, Capsicum frutescens, Piper sarmentosum, Solanum torvum, Cordyline fruticosa and Saccharum offcinarum. The Baphicacanthus cusia at Mae Lau village were the longest of diameter at root collars, highest and biggest canopy. Ecological characteristics are suitable to Baphicacanthus cusia such as topography, climate and soil fertility. Especially, the clay mineral content at Mae Lua village was the highest that showed richness fertility.