Search

Aleurites moluccana or locally known as kemiri or candlenut is domesticated multipurpose tree species found in Indonesia, particularly in North Sumatra. As one of high economic value commodities, candlenut can be adopted as agroforestry species, windbreak, soil immobilization and land rehabilitation for critical land that can improve community livelihood with a variety of benefits. Information regarding seed characteristics of the candlenut in North Sumatra Province and its germination strategies is still limited, whereas this information are needed to support candlenut cultivation. Therefore, this research was conducted to obtain information on morphology and germination process of the seed of candlenut. Direct measurement and observation of seed were quantified to observe the seed morphology. The germination process is also quantified through direct observation. The results of seed morphology showed that the candlenut had rough elliptical shell shape with about 6.08 cm in diameter and the shell thickness was approximately 2.56 cm. Germination process took 4-5 months with hypogeal germination type.

The existence of Dryobalanops sumatrensis and D. oblongifolia subsp. oblongifolia in Indonesia’s natural forest is increasingly threatened due to land use changes and illegal logging leading to the urgent need of conservation actions in the field. Vegetative propagation by shoot cuttings has been proposed as an alternative method, yet there have been still lacks of information regarding the suitable rooting media and the use of shoots from saplings as cutting materials. This study was to evaluate the survival rate, rooting and shoot sprouting abilites of D. sumatrensis and D. oblongifolia subsp. oblongifolia on two different media (mineral soil and peat). Saplings of the D. sumatrensis aged older than 7 years old and D. oblongifolia subsp. oblongifolia aged less than 2 years old were used as cutting materials. The results showed that the survival rate of D. sumatrensis in peat (43.75%) and mineral soil media (43.75%) was lower than D. oblongifolia subsp. oblongifolia in for peat media (54.55%) and minerals soil media (71.88%). The rooting and shoot sprouting percentage of D. sumatrensis in peat and mineral soil media was also lower than D. oblongifolia subsp oblongifolia. This pattern revealed that the media treatment (peat and minerals) did not affect the survival rate and rooting ability of D. sumatrensis shoot cuttings, but has an effect on D. oblongifolia subsp. oblongifolia.

Phenotypic observation of resin yielder Pinus merkusii showed higher value of genetic variation and narrow sense heritability values for resin production trait. This result indicated that genetic factor played as dominant aspect. However, further observation using molecular marker would still be needed to overcome the weakness of phenotypic observation. This study was carried out in order to characterize the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of resin yielder genotype candidate P.merkusii using microsatellite markers and to characterize the genetic structure in the resin yielder populations. Seventy needle and inner bark samples were collected from resin yielder in Cijambu Seedling Seed Orchard (SSO) Sumedang, West Java and further divided into two genotype candidates (lower and high resin yielder). Seven microsatellites loci (pm01, pm04, pm05, pm07, pm08, pm09a, pm12, pde5 and SPAC 11.6) were used for detection of genetic diversity. Results showed that genetic diversity in higher resin candidates was (0.551), slightly different compared lower candidates (0.545). However, cluster analysis determined that higher resin yielder grouped with lower one. Molecular variation was found to be low among populations (21%) and high among individuals within the populations (79%). Private alleles were detected both in higher yielder and also normal population.

Shorea divided into four groups: Shorea Red Meranti, White Meranti, Yellow Meranti and Balau. In the past, conservation was not an important issue as this groups were common and abundant. However, Sumatran rain forest were cleared and converted at annual rate of 500.000 Ha with the most extensive in the Province of Riau where had lost 63% between 1985 and 2009. This study conducted to determine the potency and availability of most valuable tropical Shorea dipterocarps in Riau Province. Lines transect and point count methods used to determine the presence any of the Shorea species in the designated remnants area. Leaves samples for morphological identification collected for further taxonomic identification. Data analysis for mapping conducted by overlying the secondary and primary data source. The result showed that the patchy remnants forests in Riau still conserve at least of around 22 Shorea species, included 14 species those of Shorea Red Meranti, 1species Shorea White Meranti, 4 species Shorea Yellow Meranti, and 3 species of Shorea Balau. However, in average the numbers of individual found for each of the species was low with uncomplete occurrence of the life stage in several spots, showing the fragility of local species loss and extinction.