Composition of Undergrowth Types at Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria L. Nielsen) Stands.

Abstract

Sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria L. Nielsen) is a tree species which has high economy value and potential for agroforestry development. Information on the diversity of undergrowth species at sengon stands has not been much known. Undergrowth vegetation have ecological functions to keep the ecosystem balance and as addition, it can also take a role as a weed in the monoculture plants cultivation. In other hand, some undergrowth species have been identified as beneficial plants. This research aims to know the composition and diversity of undergrowth species at sengon stands. Results of inventory at the age of 5 years sengon stands, found 41 species from 23 families which dominated by the type of Ottochloa nodosa, Paspalum conjugatum, Lepistemon binectarifer, and Asytasia gangetica. At the age of 15 years, found 34 species from 20 families which dominated by the type of Ottochloa nodosa, Oplismenus compositus, Axonophus compressus, and Asytasia gangetica. The diversity levels of species according to the classification of Magurran (1998) at age 5 years sengon stands of 2.11 (medium), while at the age of 15 years sengon stands of 1.86 (low). Meanwhile, in the calculation of community similarity levels, condition of the community based on the number of types and abundance of individuals of each species is different (IS ≤ 75%), with the value 48.42. Among the species found, there are several types of plants which have potency as medicinal plants, such as pacing (Costus speciosus) and nut-grass (Cyperus rotundus), as food resource, such as taro (Colocasia esculenta) and takokak (Solanum jamaicense). The types of cover crops and fodder such as ornamental peanut (Arachis pintoi) and sentro (Centrocema pubescens). The type of ornamental plants such as wedelia (Wedelia trilobata) and taro (caladium bicolor). Furthermore, there is the type of plants which has potency as a fuel source such as iles-iles (Amorphopallus variabilis).