Arsitektur Perakaran Tiga Jenis Meranti dan Hubungannya dengan Karakteristik Pertumbuhan

Abstract

Root is one of the important plant organ for supporting growth and development. The root functions include plant anchoring, water & nutrition absorption, and their distribution. Three species of Meranti were used in the research, namely Shorea stenoptera, Shorea palembanica, and Shorea leprosula. The aims of this research were i) to study the differences of root architecure formation on three species at HPGW ex-situ conservation area, ii) to study the relation of root architecture and phenotype (growth) characteristics of three species, including to determine Index of Root Anchoring (IRA) and Index of Root Binding (IRB). Root architecture was studied through root growth patterns, root morphology, and root growth variables.The results showed that i) the root growth patterns on three species were similar. That were classified into Champagnat group model with monopodial typical growth and tended to form orthotrophic branching. The root morphology was also similar, and the variance of root characteristic variables was not significant between species. ii) Total of root length significantly influenced height of plant and trunk volume, and the depth root significantly influenced height of plant and the crown diameter. The IRA values of S. stenoptera dan S. palembanica were categorized into medium group. The IRB value were categorized into low group. The IRA value of S. leprosula was categorized into high group, while and the IRB value was categorized into low group.