A Review on Potential of Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms in Silviculture of Neolamarckia cadamba to Industrial Timber Production Areas (ITPAs) in Malaysia

Abstract Sarawak had around 62% forest area coverage in 2018, contributed 40% of forest area in Malaysia. Two million hectares of licensed forest area was designated as Industrial Timber Production Areas (ITPAs) to sustain industrial timber production. Neolamarckia cadamba was one of the tropical indigenous timber species selected for the development of ITPAs. The selection is based on its local environment adaptation, pest and disease resistance, fast growing properties, soil maintenance contributions, its wood quality suitable for plywood industry. Tropical soils are infamous for poor plant available nutrients profile, contributed by high precipitation rate in tropical climate and acidic soil orders. Plant growth promoting microorganisms in wild environment would be a feasible solution for N. cadamba planting activities. Such studies on N. cadamba were limited whilst drafting this review paper. Nonetheless, potential strains, i.e Nitrogen fixing microorganisms, phosphate solubilising microorganisms and potassium solubilising microorganisms, were discussed. They could potentially provide three major plant available nutrients. For industrial production, their processing with solid, liquid or solid-liquid integrated carrier materials would provide long shelf-life, better survivability in the field and easy handling in different application strategies. Keywords: Biofertilisers, Neolamarckia cadamba, plant growth promoting microorganisms, Malaysia, tropical soils