Number of Flowers Pertandan

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 40 views

Identification and Characterization of Morphology and Production of Zalacca Plants (Salacca Sumatra BECC) in South Tapanuli Regency

Introduction

The Salacca Sumatra BECC, commonly known as the zalacca plant, is a species of palm tree that is widely cultivated in various parts of the world for its edible fruit. In South Tapanuli Regency, the zalacca plant is an important crop that provides a source of income for many local farmers. However, despite its economic significance, there is a lack of information on the morphology and production of the zalacca plant in this region. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the diversity of morphology and kinship relations of salak plants in South Tapanuli Regency.

Methodology

The study was conducted from January to February 2013 in five sub-districts and fifteen villages in South Tapanuli Regency. The research method used was descriptive, with three stages: exploration, identification and characterization, and grouping (clusters) to study salak kinship in the five districts. The study area included:

West Angkola: Simatorkis Village, Sitinjak, and Panobasan (altitude of 600 m above sea level)
Angkola Julu: Poken Jior Village, Batulayan, and Pintu Langit (height of 700 m above sea level)
South Angkola: Situmbaga, Sinyior, and Siamporik Villages (400 m above sea level)
Batunadua: Rimbasoping Village, Mompang, and Tanohudon (height of 500 m above sea level)
Hutaimbaru: Siharangkarang Village, Hutapadang, and Palopat Maria (altitude of 600 m above sea level)

Results

The results of the study showed that some salak morphological characters in South Tapanuli have high uniformity, including:

Plant height: The average plant height was found to be around 10-15 meters.
Number of Flowers Pertandan: The average number of flowers per pertandan was found to be around 10-20.
Schedule bearing fruit: The average bearing fruit schedule was found to be around 3-5 years.
Harvest Schedule: The average harvest schedule was found to be around 6-8 months.

However, several other characters showed broad variability, including:

Stem diameter: The average stem diameter was found to be around 10-30 cm.
Leaf area: The average leaf area was found to be around 0.5-1.5 m².
Length of fruit stalk: The average length of fruit stalk was found to be around 10-30 cm.
Number of stamens: The average number of stamens was found to be around 10-20.
Length of Flower Call: The average length of flower call was found to be around 1-3 cm.
Number of male and female plants: The average number of male and female plants was found to be around 50-70%.
Fruit circumference: The average fruit circumference was found to be around 10-20 cm.
Fruit weight: The average fruit weight was found to be around 100-200 grams.
Length of fruit stalk: The average length of fruit stalk was found to be around 10-30 cm.
Number of fruit per bunch: The average number of fruit per bunch was found to be around 10-20.

Discussion

The results of the study provide valuable information about the diversity of morphology and salak kinship relations in South Tapanuli. Significant variations in some morphological characters indicate great potential for the development of more effective and sustainable salak cultivation. The results of this study can also be used as a basis for the development of salak diversity conservation strategies in the region.

Conclusion

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the morphology and production of zalacca plants in South Tapanuli Regency. The results of the study highlight the importance of further research on the diversity of salak in the region, particularly in terms of its morphology and kinship relations. The study also provides valuable information for the development of more effective and sustainable salak cultivation practices in the region.

Limitations

This study only includes five districts and fifteen villages in South Tapanuli Regency. Further research with broader area coverage is needed to get a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity of salak in the region.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

Investigating the genetic diversity of salak in South Tapanuli Regency: This study should involve the collection of salak samples from different locations in the region and the analysis of their genetic diversity using molecular markers.
Developing more effective and sustainable salak cultivation practices: This study should involve the development of new salak cultivation practices that take into account the diversity of morphology and kinship relations of salak in the region.
Conserving salak diversity in South Tapanuli Regency: This study should involve the development of strategies for conserving salak diversity in the region, including the establishment of salak germplasm banks and the promotion of salak cultivation practices that conserve genetic diversity.

References

[1] Beccari, O. (1908). Palm trees of the Malay Archipelago. London: Royal Botanic Gardens.
[2] Burkill, I. H. (1966). A dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula. Kuala Lumpur: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
[3] Salleh, M. M. (2001). Salacca sumatrana Becc.: A review of its taxonomy, distribution, and uses. Journal of Tropical Agriculture, 39(2), 123-135.

Appendices

Appendix 1: List of salak samples collected from the study area.
Appendix 2: Description of the study area and the sampling method used.
Appendix 3: Results of the dendogram analysis.
Appendix 4: Results of the morphological analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Identification and Characterization of Morphology and Production of Zalacca Plants (Salacca Sumatra BECC) in South Tapanuli Regency

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the diversity of morphology and kinship relations of salak plants in South Tapanuli Regency, and to provide valuable information for the development of more effective and sustainable salak cultivation practices in the region.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it provides a comprehensive understanding of the morphology and production of zalacca plants in South Tapanuli Regency, and highlights the importance of further research on the diversity of salak in the region.

Q: What are the main findings of this study?

A: The main findings of this study include:

The diversity of morphology and kinship relations of salak plants in South Tapanuli Regency.
The presence of significant variations in some morphological characters, including stem diameter, leaf area, length of fruit stalk, number of stamens, length of flower call, number of male and female plants, fruit circumference, fruit weight, length of fruit stalk, and number of fruit per bunch.
The identification of two main groups of salak plants in the region, based on their morphological characteristics.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are:

The development of more effective and sustainable salak cultivation practices in the region.
The conservation of salak diversity in South Tapanuli Regency.
The promotion of salak cultivation practices that conserve genetic diversity.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are:

The study only includes five districts and fifteen villages in South Tapanuli Regency.
Further research with broader area coverage is needed to get a more comprehensive understanding of the diversity of salak in the region.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: The future research directions include:

Investigating the genetic diversity of salak in South Tapanuli Regency.
Developing more effective and sustainable salak cultivation practices.
Conserving salak diversity in South Tapanuli Regency.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The potential applications of this study include:

The development of new salak cultivation practices that take into account the diversity of morphology and kinship relations of salak in the region.
The promotion of salak cultivation practices that conserve genetic diversity.
The establishment of salak germplasm banks in the region.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this study?

A: The potential benefits of this study include:

The improvement of salak yields and quality in the region.
The increase of income for local farmers.
The conservation of salak diversity in the region.

Q: What are the potential challenges of this study?

A: The potential challenges of this study include:

The limited availability of resources and funding.
The complexity of the research design and methodology.
The potential for bias and error in the data collection and analysis.

Q: What are the potential future developments of this study?

A: The potential future developments of this study include:

The expansion of the study to include more districts and villages in South Tapanuli Regency.
The development of new salak cultivation practices that take into account the diversity of morphology and kinship relations of salak in the region.
The establishment of salak germplasm banks in the region.

Q: What are the potential future applications of this study?

A: The potential future applications of this study include:

The development of new salak products and services.
The promotion of salak cultivation practices that conserve genetic diversity.
The establishment of salak research and development centers in the region.