Author
Then K.H.
Felda Agricultural Services Sdn. Bhd., Stesen Penyelidikan FASSB Sg. Tengi Selatan, 44010
Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor
Tel: 03-61040685 E-mail: [email protected]
Language
English
Title
The Cropping System of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Longifolia Jack) For Commercial Planting
Proceeding
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Seminar (MAPS 2010)
Date
3rd August – 4th August 2010
Place Held
Forest Research Institute Malaysia(FRIM)
Abstract
Planting of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma Iongifolia Jack) in different cropping systems was carried out to study the feasibility of its commercial cultivation to supply the raw material of dry root which majority still harvested from the wild. The study was conducted in year 2003 and 2004 by planting them as mono-cropping and intercropping with coconut (dwarf and tall varieties) and timber species (Azadirachta excelsa and Acacia mangium). The average growth performance of the cultivated plants under both cropping systems was recorded at 6 cm stem diameter at 15 cm above ground and plant height of 470 cm five years after planting. The growth was vigorous in the first four years after planting with the annual growth increment of more than 20%. However, growth was slower after five years. The exposed condition in mono-cropping and partial shade condition of intercropping in newly planted timber area provided sufficient sunlight to promote vigorous growth of Tongkat Ali in the early stage compared to those planted under shaded condition. The compacted and dense root condition in the soil under the high density coconut planting area also restricted the growth of Tongkat Ali in the early stage. The study also indicated that the stem diameter was suitable for predicting the dry root production of Tongkat Ali based on the destructive analysis of 210 plants. The estimated dry root yield was 476 g per plant in the fifth year.
Keywords
Eurycoma Iongifolia; cropping system; growth; root yield
Session
Session 1: Oral 2
Topic
Harnessing the Tropical heritage: Recent Advances in R&D and commercialization
