5.1.  DISTRIBUTION, BIOLOGY, DAMAGE AND IMPACTS OF A. OXYCEDRI IN BALOCHISTAN.

1. Conduct surveys to map the distribution of juniper forests in Balochistan and to detect additional areas of dwarf mistletoe infection which might occur in the Province.

2. If additional areas of dwarf mistletoe infection are detected, conduct surveys to establish infection boundaries, intensity of infection and levels of host mortality.

3. Establish the time of dwarf mistletoe seed maturation and dispersal. This information is important in planning the timing of control operations.

4. Determine the identity of Juniperus populations in Balochistan.

5. Establish a series of permanent plots in infected areas where no dwarf mistletoe control work is done to measure rates of dwarf mistletoe spread and intensification and host tree decline and mortality over a minimum of a 5-10 year time horizon.

5.2.  DWARF MISTLETOE MANAGEMENT IN BALOCHISTAN

A series of recommendations were made on dwarf mistletoe management as a result of the evaluation of the dwarf mistletoe infection in the Ziarat Area in 1993 (Ciesla 1993). These are detailed in the following sections and should be considered as protocols for any control actions which may be undertaken:

The dwarf mistletoe infection in the Ziarat District can be managed with minimal impact on the vegetative cover. However it will be necessary to cut trees. A short term dwarf mistletoe management project (3 to 5 years) financed from either national or international development sources, or a combination of the two, is needed to treat areas of heavy infection. This should be followed by a long term program of forest protection which is integrated into the overall management of this forest.

The following stepwise recommendations are designed to:

1. Reduce the intensification and spread of infections.

2. Reduce tree damage and mortality.

3. Retain as much juniper on infected sites as possible.

5.2.1.  PRE-TREATMENT SURVEYS - Conduct surveys throughout the presently known area of infection. Use the Hawksworth DMR system to delineate the boundaries of infection, rate intensity of infection and to identify priority areas for treatment.

5.2.2.  TREATMENT PRIORITIES - Priority for treatment should be assigned as follows:

1. Infected trees near the edges of the infected area. These present the greatest potential for spread. Examples include the scattered groups of heavily infected trees on the south facing slopes of the Chasnak Valley.

2. All other heavily infected areas.

3. Areas of light, scattered infection.

5.2.3.  TREATMENT OF INFECTED OVERSTORY - Cut all infected overstory trees within designated treatment units. In those instances where infected trees have branches containing live foliage within 1.5 m of the ground and there are no bole infections, cut tree in such a way as to retain at least one live whorl of branches. Inspect this foliage and prune all dwarf mistletoe infections.

5.2.4.  TREATMENT OF INFECTED UNDERSTORY - For the purpose of these recommendations, understory trees are defined as trees less than 2 m in height.

1. If a tree has more than 50% of its branches infected or has bole infections, treat as described for overstory trees.

2. If a tree has less than 50% of its branches infected and no bole infections, prune all infected branches.

5.2.5.  CHEMICAL TREATMENT - Treatment of aerial shoots with the growth regulator ethepon is not recommended because of the high costs and difficult logistics associated with this tactic, and because the treatment does not eliminate the infection.

5.2.6.  TIMING OF TREATMENTS - Trees may be cut any time of year except during the period of seed maturation and dispersal. Treatment during time of seed dispersal could increase risk of both local and long distance spread.

5.2.7.  POST TREATMENT SURVEYS - Conduct post treatment surveys in areas which have been treated for dwarf mistletoe infections one year after treatment. Treat any residual infections in accordance with guidelines described in the preceding sections. Surveys should be repeated at five year intervals.

5.2.8.  TRAINING - Organize a study tour for 3-4 foresters from the Balochistan Forest Department and the Peshawar Forest Institute to visit the United States and (or) Canada to receive training in the biology, ecology and management of dwarf mistletoes.

Invite an international expert for approximately one month to help organize a dwarf mistletoe management programme and provide on-site training.

5.2.9.  DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF SPOT INFECTIONS - Conduct surveys in all juniper forests in Balochistan, outside of the currently known areas of infection. Treat any infections detection by cutting of all infected trees plus all apparently uninfected trees in a one meter buffer zone around the infected trees.

Design and publish an illustrated leaflet which describes how to recognize dwarf mistletoe. Distribute leaflets to local residents, grazers, wood gatherers and other people who use the forest. Encourage people to report suspected infections to the District Forester.