Tissue culture technique developed for propagation of Odum

Fumesua (ASH), Nov 17, GNA - The Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) has developed a tissue culture technique for the propagation of iroko (Odum) from pest resistant varieties for plantations in the country.

A modern well equipped, biogenetic laboratory (greenhouse) has also been built for the propagation.

This was announced by Dr Joseph R. Cobbinah, Director of the Institute at a two-day closing workshop on the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) funded project on "conservation, planting and integrated pest management to sustain Iroko (Odum) production in West Africa" at Fumesua-Ashanti 0n Thursday.

The workshop was to disseminate the results of the project began about 14 years ago and other related studies. The project ends this year. It is being attended by 100 scientists, forestry practitioners and other stakeholders in the forestry sector from five west African countries, Ghana, Cameroun, Togo, Benin and La Cote d'ivoire.

Dr Cobbinah who is also the project co-ordinator, said in an overview that mature iroko specie stands about 60 metres high, 11 feet in girth and takes about 220 years to grow fully.

He said it is the most widely used timber specie in West Africa due to its high natural durability and good working properties. "Iroko has poor natural regeneration and with the tissue culture a faster variety could be produced for the industry."

Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, Minister of Lands and Forestry commended FORIG for recognising the regional dimension of the problems of Iroko and adopting an integrated approach to the study coupled with a comprehensive programme for technology transfer.

"This is both innovative and desirable given that the problem is not endemic to Ghana alone, but to the entire West African sub-region since the specie is widespread in its geographical distribution."

Mr Cletus Avoka, Minister of environment, Science and Technology (MEST) in an address read for him said the rate of forest depletion can only be slowed down when concerted efforts are made to replace them through re-afforestation.

He said plantations would be the major source of wood to be depended upon by the timber industry in future.