Silvicultural performance of paper mulberry in Thailand

Paper mulberry plantations are needed in Thailand due to Thailand’s high demand for paper manufacturing. In this paper, silvicultural systems were investigated to determine for attaining the optimum growth rate and yield. Paper mulberry from five sources (SS, UN, NN, RT and KZ) were planted in eight sites all over Thailand for a provenance trial, while two species (Broussonetia papyrifera and B. kazinoki) were planted at Wiang Sa district, Nan province for a species trial. Moreover, five spacings (1×1m, 2×1 m, 2×2 m, 2×4 m and 4×4 m) were used in RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) with three replicates in Wang Chin district, Phare Province for a spacing trial. Survival rate, growth rate, biomass and soil physical and chemical properties were recorded at every site. Paper mulberry can grow in various textures of soil as long as there is a good drainage. Soil fertility had a significant effect on growth and productivity. B. papyrifera had a higher biomass than B. kazinoki with the same growth rate. The number of trees (plant density) had an important effect on biomass. From these data, it is recommended that in paper mulberry plantation narrow spacing is used.