Résumé
Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB), an investment subsidiary of the Sabah Foundation has embarked on an extensive Research and Development program for teak (Tectona grandis), a highly prized timber species. Through ICSB's joint collaboration with CIRAD-Forêt, a French R and D organization, a plant improvement program was initiated in the early 1990's. Special efforts have been devoted to vegetative propagation strategies based on the development of efficient techniques, both at the laboratory and at the nursery levels Materials from mature selected plus trees (ortets) from a broad genetic base, and seeds of presumed high genetic value but in restricted number, were multiplied by using a well-developed tissue culture technique at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory. Additionally, seed lots from natural forest stands, plantations and a multi-provenance clonal seed orchard (CSO) were obtained. These were germinated and used to establish two main provenance / progeny trials in two different locations within ICSB concession in east Sabah. Malaysia, in addition to other numerous conservation and demonstration plots. Data of six-year old trees from these provenance / progeny trials illustrated the great potential of the CSO materials especially in terms of growth rate compared to the other origins under the prevailing conditions, Advanced selection of genotypes combining various traits of major economical value i.e, wood characteristics, is underway. These genotypes and their progenies will be further tested in different sites in the immediate future. The ownership of such a rich germplasm coupled to the efficiency of the developed techniques offers a tremendous potential for genetic improvement, selection and mass production for large-scale plantations of higher yield and superior quality. Commercial production of selected materials from this rich genetic base will then ensue as tissue culture-issued materials for overseas markets. (Résumé d'auteur)