PENGEMBANGAN KLON MERANTI: BEBERAPA PILIHAN UNTUK MENDAPATKAN BIBIT UNGGUL (The Development of Meranti Clones: Some Choices for Obtaning Improved Plant Materials)

The interest in tree improvement program for meranti (Shorea spp) has been increasing in recent years. However, the progress has not been like that of fast growing species in industrial plantation forest (HTI). The main obstacles in the breeding of meranti are long generation interval, lack ofinformation in phenology and some technical aspects. The successful development in the technique of vegetative propagation for meranti makes it possible to develop clones in these species. There are advantages and disadvantages for generative and vegetative approaches in tree breeding program. This paper discusses the breeding strategy of meranti in which generative and vegetative methods used as approaching method. This strategy has been used by PT. Inhutani I in the development of HTI projects in East Kalimantan. Molecular techniques such as isozim and DNA marker can be used to speed up in the breeding program of meranti. These aspects will also be discussed in the paper.