Mabolo (Diospyros discolor), which is an indigenous species locally known as Kamagong, is popularly called “iron-wood”. With over-exploitation, these species are now threatened and are becoming extinct. Hence, it is the only way to conserved and save this economically valuable species by using nursery techniques with appropriate pre-sowing treatments. Therefore, the present study was attempted to evaluate the effect of coconut water on pre-sowing treatments additive on seed germination and initial growth performance of Kamagong (D. discolor). The seeds were extracted and subjected to the following treatments for 12 hours: Soaking in 100% water which is the control (T1), soaking with 50% of coconut water and 50% water (T2), and soaking in 100% coconut water (T3). The results showed that T3 had the highest germination mean value (78.33%), mean seedling height (11.80 cm) and mean number of leaves (2.04). By contrast, T2 (50% coconut water + 50% water) obtained the least germination mean value (76.67%), mean seedling height (11.63 cm) and mean number of leaves (2.00). However, there were no significant differences in the germination percentage, seedling height and number of leaves among all treatments at (p ≤ 0.05). The seeds subjected to T2 and T3 were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) better than seeds subjected to T1, having a mean root collar diameter (RCD) value of 3.98 mm, 3.75 mm and 3.48 mm, respectively. In terms of leaf measurements, the seedlings subjected to T2 and T3 had the highest leaf width value of 5.18 cm and 4.97 cm, respectively, whereas the seedlings subjected to T1 had the significantly lowest leaf width of 4.88 cm. Moreover, there was no significant effect among all treatments in terms of leaf and root length. Furthermore, it was observed in the study that fungal pathogens should also be taken into account as the pathogens are associated with the reduction of the germination percentage of the D. discolor seeds. Also, the study found out that seeds treated with 50% and 100% coconut water positively influenced the germination and initial seedling growth performance of D. discolor.

This study was conducted to determine threatened woody plants in forests over limestone in Samar Natural Park (SINP), Guiuan Marine Resource Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (GMRPLS), and other areas in the Philippines, in order to design a strategic framework for sustainable conservation of threatened species. Combined fieldwork using standard vegetation techniques and comparative literature review were done. Results revealed a total of 196 woody plant species belonging to 48 families, with 60 (DAO 2017-11) and 182 (IUCN) threatened woody plant species in the forests over limestone. The top 10 important species noted include three Critically Endangered: Diospyros longiciliata Merr., Cynometra cebuensis Seidenschwarz, F., and Shorea astylosa Foxw; three Endangered: Cinnamomum cebuense Kosterm., Tectona philippinensis Benth. & Hook.f. and Vitex parviflora Juss.; and four Vulnerable species: Agathis philippinensis Warb., Aquilaria cumingiana (Decne) Ridley, Dipterocarpus gracilis Blume, and Shorea polysperma (Blanco) Merr. A framework for sustainable conservation has been designed to prevent the loss of these threatened botanical treasures.