An Analysis of Functional Groups and Potential Values of Herbaceous Species of Grasslands in West Timor, Indonesia

This study was to determine the composition of plant functional groups and the potential value of herbaceous species present in grassland communities of West Timor. Ten stations in grassland of Kupang West Timor (Penfui, Alak, Bakunase, Tode, Mulafa, Oesapa, Tanah Merah, Tilong, Bukit Cinta, and Naketuka) were selected and at each stations, 15 plots 1 m x 1 m (∑150) were randomly place. In each plot, all herbaceous presents were recorded. Each plant was further classified into four functional groups, whether grasses, sedges, legumes, or forbs. Plants were also grouped based on their potential whether they were food plants, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, forage plants, or poisonous plants. For each species present, the number of individuals, dominance, frequency, and Importance Value Index (IVI) were calculated. From 150 plots, there were 134 herb species from 32 families. Of these species, grass (Poaceae) was 26 (19.40%) species (IVI 25.24%) while non-grass was 108 (80.60%) species (IVI 74.76%). Grasslands were dominated by non-grass species. Based on the IVI, plants were dominated by Euphorbia hirta L. (IVI 13.93%), Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. (IVI 12.46&), Cyperus rotundus L. (IVI 11.72%), Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler (IVI 11.12%), Senna tora (L.) Roxb. (IVI 9.54%), Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze (IVI 9.35%), and Tridax procumbens L. (IVI 9.17%). Of the 134 species, the forbs was 77 (57.46%) species (IVI 54.75%), grass 26 (19.40%) species (IVI 26.25%), legumes 20 (14.93%) species ( IVI 12.41%), and sedges 10 (7.461%) species (IVI 6.09%). Grasslands were dominated by forbs based on the number of species and IVI. Of the existing species, 43 (31.34%) were food plants (IVI 34.62%); 77 (67.46%) were medicinal plants (IVI 61.97%); 14 (10.45%) were ornamental plants (IVI 11.45%), 23 (17.16%) were forage plants (IVI 25.14%), and 5 (3.73%) were poisonous plants (IVI 2.31%). The grassland was dominated by food plants and medicinal plants. Although the herbaceous in the grasslands of West Timor were generally seen as weeds, the potential of grassland to provide medicinal, food, ornamental plants, and fodder was quite large. Nearly 70% of the species were potential for medicinal, almost 50% were potential for food, and more than 10% were potential for ornamental plants. It is necessary to further explore the economic potential of these grasslands. The high dominance of forbs compared to grasses and legumes may be an indication that this grassland has been severely invaded by weeds and has experienced disturbances. The composition of grassland vegetation, in general was less than ideal as a grazing area. Efforts were needed to improve the legume, suppressing weed invasion and poisonous plants, and human interference in the area must also be reduced. Keywords: grasslands, herbs, Importance Value Index, food plant, medicinal plants DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-14-04 Publication date:August 31st 202

Dampak Deraan Kekeringan p ada Fase Inisiasi Bunga, Fase Berbunga dan Fase Pembentukan Polong t erhadap Pembentukan Bunga dan Buah p ada Empat Varietas Vigna radiata

One of the greatest affected factors toward the growth of V. radiata is considered as the availability of water. Obviously, less production of V. radiata is due to short water supply. This research shows that flower initiation, flowering and fruiting to reproduction of four V. radiata varieties (Belu, Kenari, Perkutut and Murai), affected by drought are taken under this investigation. Based on numbers of initiated pod flowers and pods being produced, the most sensitive reproduction stages to drought in Belu variety were flower initiation and flowering, Kenari variety were flowering, Murai variety were flowering and fruiting, and Perkutut variety in all reproduction stages posses relatively similar level of sensitivity to drought. Generally, number of flowers initiated pods and the number of pods produced were higher in Kenari and Murai varieties compared to those on Perkutut and Belu. Based on numbers of flowers initiated pods and numbers of pods production, drought at flower initiation and flowering stage were more highly affected on Belu and Perkutut varieties compared to that of Kenari and Murai. Droughts on fruiting stage are highly affected on Perkutut varieties as well compared to other varieties. Therefore, based on plants production and their tolerance to drought, the best plants to be cultivated are Kenari and Murai

Ecological study of plant species at Sandford Rocks Nature Reserve (SRNR)

The ecology of plant species at Sandford Rocks Nature Reserve (SRNR) was studied. The study site is an important nature reserve that contains relatively undisturbed natural vegetation. It has a mosaic of exposed granite rocks, scrublands and woodlands. The study involved: a description of the structure and composition of the vegetation; the population characteristics of selected Acacia species; aspects of reproduction in Acacia; germination and seedling characteristics of some Acacia and grass species that dominate the reserve; the effect of seed size on germination and seedling characteristics; and, the relationship of seed size to seed coat thickness in selected Acacia species. Five different areas were studied using the point centered quarter method to sample the woody perennial species. Thirteen Acacia species were examined for reproduction characteristics; and in 2 selected Acacia species, the effects of phyllode and/or inflorescence removal on reproduction was investigated. Germination tests were conducted to identify germination characteristics in 8 Acacia and 7 grass species dominant at SRNR. The possible effects of variation in seed size on germination; seedling characteristics; and, seed coat thickness were investigated in Acacia fauntleroyi and Acacia prainii. A total of 85 species from 20 families of woody perennials were collated. All areas were dominated by the Myrtaceae, Mimosaceae and Proteaceae families. There was considerable variability in the structure and composition of vegetation. Most species were present in particular sites and the composition of communities appears to be related to the heterogeneity of the habitat within the reserve. In areas of shallow or rocky soil, vegetation types present include Allocasuarina huegeliana woodland, Grevillea paradoxa low scrubland and Acacia neurophylla medium shrubland.In a seasonally wet area, vegetation types present include low open grassland; Eucalyptus capillosa (wandoo) woodland; and, Acacia saligna thicket. In deep, dry sandy soil, vegetation types include Phebalium tuberculosum shrubland, Acacia acuminata and Acacia coolgardiensis thickets. On relatively flat areas that gain water from adjacent large granite hills, the vegetation consists mainly of tall, open woodlands of Eucalyptus species. Vegetation types include: medium tall Eucalyptus salmonophloia woodland with Kunzea pulchella shrubland at the periphery of the Eucalyptus woodland. At rock areas, vegetation types present include dense Leptospermum erubescens thicket, low open Acacia prainii and Dodonaea viscosa shrubland. Of the Acacia populations studied, in A. lasiocalyx no recent seedling establishment was observed. It is hypothesised that recruitment occurs in particular periods. As the plants are associated with rock and soils are generally shallow, it appears that recruitment depends on run-off water from the rocks in winter. Continuous recruitment seems to be the pattern in A. prainii with both seedlings and saplings represented. A. fauntleroyi forms relatively small populations; apparently long drought periods (>l00 d) result in mass death and limit its population size. In A. hemiteles, no seedling stage was found, root competition (for water) from associated Eucalyptus species presumably limits its recruitment. Reproductive success of Acacia is affected by rainfall. A wet winter is required to induce flowering and further rain is required after flowering to promote pod development and good seed set.All Acacia species suffer from drought in the reproduction season, however they differ in their degree of susceptibility. Leaflessness and tree shape also affect Acacia fecundity. Plants bearing more phyllodes produce more flowers and pods, and branches in the upper part of the crown bear heavier inflorescences. In 1998, all Acacia species at SRNR produced mature seed of low weight, with many immature and diseased seed, which gave poor germination. A late spring frost in 1998 is believed to be responsible for limited seed development. In two selected Acacia species, removal of phyllodes reduced the number of pods produced. Presumably, phyllode removal reduces photosynthate produced, therefore the competition among inflorescences (or pods) for resources is more intense and subsequent abortions are likely to occur. All Acacia species studied showed best germination in the cool winter temperature range. Apparently, seeds are adapted to germinate in winter when seasonal moisture is more likely to be available. The best temperature however, varied slightly between species. The grass species dominant in the reserve, except for Aristida contorta, also had more germination in cooler rather than warmer temperatures. The flora of SRNR is similar to typical vegetation of the Southwest. Generally, Acacia species are present only in particular sites, presumably were habitat moisture allows. Seedlings of Acacia species growing in naturally dry areas have greater root: shoot masses than those growing in seasonally wet areas. Biomass partitioning is an apparent strategy to conserve water. Of the 7 grass species, Amphipogon strictus appears to have fastest growth.Eriachne ovata has greater root than shoot mass, while in all other species, shoot mass is greater than root mass; a characteristic of species that grow well in moist habitats. The longest shoots and roots are in Austrostipa elegantissima, an understorey species of eucalypt woodland. In A. fauntleroyi, the degree of hard-seededness varies between seed sizes. There is a higher proportion of soft seed in smaller seed. Seed of different sizes show some responses to different pre-treatments and incubation temperatures for germination. Larger seeds generally germinate in greater numbers after higher treatment temperatures. The best treatment for small seeds is pre-treatment at 75°C and incubated at 15°C. For medium and large seed, best pre-treatment is at 75°C with incubation at 30°C or soaking in boiling water and incubation at either 15 or 3°C. In A. prainii, seed size; pre-treatment; incubation; and, their interaction all affected germination; larger seeds are more viable. The best treatment to promote germination of A. prainii is soaking in boiling water and incubation at 25°C. In both A. fauntleroyi and A. prainii, larger seeds produce larger seedlings. Seedlings from large seeds have the potential for more rapid pre-photosynthetic growth. Larger, heavier seed has a thicker seed coat. The seed coat of A. prainii is thicker than in A. fauntleroyi; the difference in seed coat thickness is reflected by more soft seed in A. fauntleroyi (35%) than in A. prainii (6%)

Pengaruh variasi ukuran biji terhadap perkecambahan Acacia fauntleroyi (maiden) maiden and blakely

The aim of this study was to investigate to what extent are germination of A. fauntleroyi affected by seed size. Does pre-treatment improve germination? Under what temperature regime does most seed germinate? Three seed size classes (small, medium and large)were chosen. Seeds were pre-treatments either at ambient, 50 °C, 75 °C or 100 ° C and incubated at 15 ° C or 30 °C. Then, number of seed that germinate and speed of germination were measure. Five seeds representing each of small, medium and large seed sizes were also selected and the seed coat thickness measured. Seed size, pre-treatment temperature and incubation temperature all affected the number of seed that germinated. Pre-treatment temperature affected germination more than incubation temperature. Incubation temperature affected germination more than seed size. The interaction of seed size and pre-treatment temperature was stronger than that between seed size and incubation temperature. Small seeds produce less germination than medium or large seeds, however small seed germinated sooner. Seed coat thickness varied among seed sizes. Thinner seed coats occur in smaller than larger seeds. Acacia; Germination; Incubation; Pre-treatment; Seed siz