RECOVERY OF ACACIA-AURICULIFORMIS FROM FIRE DAMAGE

An assessment of damage and recovery of Acacia auriculiformis in a pro venance trial at the Universiti Pertanian Malaysia was undertaken foll owing an accidental surface fire. The results showed significant diffe rences (P<0.05) between provenances in their ability to recover vegeta tively after being affected by different levels of foliage scorch, wit h the 1 hr. S. Balamuk (16103) provenance being the best. The ability to resprout is possibly a result of the insulating properties of the b ark, which protects the dormant buds present underneath it. The result s provide a basis of selection of suitable provenances for future bree ding for fire resistance and for fire management and silvicultural tre atments of this species.