Growth performance, biomass accumulation, and energy production in age series of clonal teak plantation

Clonal teak plantation has been extensively developed in Java and providing a purposeful contribution to improve the productivity of the state forests. It also plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation and serves as a primary source of renewable energy. However, information about its stand dynamics has been rarely documented. This study investigated the growth, biomass, carbon stock, and energy storage along an age series of clonal teak plantation. The study site was located in the Kendal Forest Management Unit. Data were collected from 14 different compartments as the priority sites of clonal teak establishment. Every compartment had similar site quality but different in age stand. Results demonstrated that the incremental rate of diameter and height was higher during the initial period between 1 and 3 years. The mean volume increased along with age and reached its maximum value at 14 years (164.54 m3 ha−1). Biomass distribution in each tree component varied from 8.75 to 66.72%. More than 80% biomass production was accumulated above ground. Total carbon stock improved from 2.68 Mg ha−1 at 1 year to 54.01 Mg ha−1 at 14 years. Our study noted that the total energy storage in clonal teak plantation increased progressively from 22.71 × 106 MJ ha−1 at 1 year to 377.74 × 106 MJ ha−1 at 14 years. Overall, this study concluded the growth, biomass, carbon, and energy in clonal teak increased progressively with age. Further investigations are still required to understand the stand dynamics of clonal teak at different sites

Assessing the genetic structure of teak from Southeast Sulawesi and its implication for genetic conservation and utilization in Indonesia

AbstractGenetic relationships among teak (Tectona grandis) seed sources have been found to be low, thus genetic materials from other sources are required to maintain broad genetic diversity. This study here is therefore aimed to assess the potency of teak genetic structure in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Leaf materials were sampled from six populations: the villages of Angondara, Anduna (Konawe), Napabalano, Matakidi, Wakuru (Muna) and Wakonti (Buton). One population from Java Island (Kepek) was used as an outgroup. Genetic structures were assessed by using six microsatellite markers. The genetic diversity within populations was moderate (mean expected heterozygosity = 0.544; mean allelic richness = 3.752) as well as the genetic differentiation among the populations (mean FST = 0.085). Dendrogram analysis revealed that the populations were separated into two clusters; the first is Kepek-Angondara, Anduna-Napabalano-Matakidi, Wakuru, and the second is Wakonti. AMOVA showed that the genetic variation was insignificant between regions, but significant among populations. The structural analysis demonstrates the division of populations into two lineages (Java and Southeast Sulawesi populations). Differences in genetic structures indicated that the teak from Southeast Sulawesi may have originated from other sources. Thus, those populations are promising for broadening the genetic base of commercial teak in Java

Assessing the Productivity and Socioeconomic Feasibility of Cocoyam and Teak Agroforestry for Food Security

Limited agricultural land areas combined with increasing demands for food require break-throughs in land use development using agroforestry systems. Intercropping root crops with trees could be an alternative for food production in forest areas. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) farming on dry land within 12- and 42-year-old teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) forests to support local food security. The feasibility assessment took into account both productivity and socio-economic aspects. The agroforestry land productivity was measured using the land equivalent ratio (LER), and our analysis of the cocoyam farming within the teak stands was carried out using the revenue/cost ratio (R/C) at the demonstration plot scale. Furthermore, we also surveyed farmers’ perceptions of the production of cocoyam for food security. The results showed that the R/C values of cocoyam tuber production in agroforestry systems were lower than 1. However, the production rates of cocoyam tubers in the 12-year-old teak stand (48.3% light intensity) and the 42-year-old teak stand (62.5% light intensity) were 2.64 and 2.76 tons/ha, respectively. The overall yields from the teak and cocoyam agroforestry systems were more profitable than those of the monoculture system, as indicated by the LER values of 1.61 and 1.85. Cocoyam production was socially acceptable (77% of respondents) as a smallholder subsistence agroforestry practice to meet food demand. Increasing cocoyam productivity in teak forests requires the adoption of agroforestry silvicultural technology to achieve food security for rural communities. To increase their farming production and income, farmers could apply intensive silvicultural practices. Governmental support that could be provided includes encouraging product diversification and providing assistance for the processing and marketing of cocoyam products

Traditional Subsistence Farming of Smallholder Agroforestry Systems in Indonesia: A Review

Agroforestry has been practiced for decades and is undoubtedly an important source of income for Indonesian households living near forests. However, there are still many cases of poverty among farmers due to a lack of ability to adopt advanced technology. This literature review aims to identify the characteristics and factors causing the occurrence of agricultural subsistence and analyze its implications for the level of farmer welfare and the regional forestry industry. The literature analysis conducted reveals that small land tenure, low literacy rates, and lack of forest maintenance are the main causes of the subsistence of small agroforestry farmers. Another reason is that subsistence-oriented agroforestry practices are considered a strong form of smallholder resilience. All of these limitations have implications for low land productivity and high-sawn timber waste from community forests. To reduce the subsistence level of farmers, government intervention is needed, especially in providing managerial assistance packages, capital assistance, and the marketing of forest products. Various agroforestry technologies are available but have not been implemented consistently by farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an integrated collaboration between researchers, farmers, and regionally owned enterprises (BUMD) to increase access to technology and markets. Although it is still difficult to realize, forest services, such as upstream–downstream compensation and carbon capture, have the potential to increase farmer income

Traditional Subsistence Farming of Smallholder Agroforestry Systems in Indonesia: A Review

Agroforestry has been practiced for decades and is undoubtedly an important source of income for Indonesian households living near forests. However, there are still many cases of poverty among farmers due to a lack of ability to adopt advanced technology. This literature review aims to identify the characteristics and factors causing the occurrence of agricultural subsistence and analyze its implications for the level of farmer welfare and the regional forestry industry. The literature analysis conducted reveals that small land tenure, low literacy rates, and lack of forest maintenance are the main causes of the subsistence of small agroforestry farmers. Another reason is that subsistence-oriented agroforestry practices are considered a strong form of smallholder resilience. All of these limitations have implications for low land productivity and high-sawn timber waste from community forests. To reduce the subsistence level of farmers, government intervention is needed, especially in providing managerial assistance packages, capital assistance, and the marketing of forest products. Various agroforestry technologies are available but have not been implemented consistently by farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an integrated collaboration between researchers, farmers, and regionally owned enterprises (BUMD) to increase access to technology and markets. Although it is still difficult to realize, forest services, such as upstream–downstream compensation and carbon capture, have the potential to increase farmer income. © 2022 by the authors

Assessing the Productivity and Socioeconomic Feasibility of Cocoyam and Teak Agroforestry for Food Security

Limited agricultural land areas combined with increasing demands for food require breakthroughs in land use development using agroforestry systems. Intercropping root crops with trees could be an alternative for food production in forest areas. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott) farming on dry land within 12- and 42-year-old teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) forests to support local food security. The feasibility assessment took into account both productivity and socio-economic aspects. The agroforestry land productivity was measured using the land equivalent ratio (LER), and our analysis of the cocoyam farming within the teak stands was carried out using the revenue/cost ratio (R/C) at the demonstration plot scale. Furthermore, we also surveyed farmers’ perceptions of the production of cocoyam for food security. The results showed that the R/C values of cocoyam tuber production in agroforestry systems were lower than 1. However, the production rates of cocoyam tubers in the 12-year-old teak stand (48.3% light intensity) and the 42-year-old teak stand (62.5% light intensity) were 2.64 and 2.76 tons/ha, respectively. The overall yields from the teak and cocoyam agroforestry systems were more profitable than those of the monoculture system, as indicated by the LER values of 1.61 and 1.85. Cocoyam production was socially acceptable (77% of respondents) as a smallholder subsistence agroforestry practice to meet food demand. Increasing cocoyam productivity in teak forests requires the adoption of agroforestry silvicultural technology to achieve food security for rural communities. To increase their farming production and income, farmers could apply intensive silvicultural practices. Governmental support that could be provided includes encouraging product diversification and providing assistance for the processing and marketing of cocoyam products