Growth Effect of the Different Ratios of Wood Vinegar on Brassica juncea

Four (4) different ratios of wood vinegar namely; 1:5; 1:10; 1:20 and 1:30 mL WV to water ratio extracted from coconut shell was tested to determine their growth effect on Brassica juncea or mustard plant or locally known as mustasa. Parameters measured were leaf number, plant height, plant leaf width. Using randomized complete block design, experimental tests were conducted using Brassica juncea as test plants. The samples of 10 days old were allowed to flourish in a potted plant with day to day application of the wood vinegar solutions together with the negative control for a total of 30 days. Results revealed that the wood vinegar ratios applied have no significant effect on the growth of the mustard plant in terms of its leaf number, plant height and leaf width. This indicates that coconut shell wood vinegar at 1:5, 1:10, 1:20 and 1:30 are not applicable ratios for plant production, as that an increased wood vinegar application increases plant production and growth.

Wood vinegar for control of broadleaf weeds in dormant turfgrass

Wood vinegar, a product of pyrolysis, can induce phytotoxicity on plants when applied at an adequate rate and concentration. The objective of this research was to investigate wood vinegar obtained from the pyrolysis of apple tree branches for weed control in dormant zoysiagrass. In environment-controlled growth chambers, white clover visual injury and shoot mass reduction compared to the nontreated control were evaluated after wood vinegar application at 1000, 2000, or 4000 L ha-1 under 10 or 30 C temperature conditions. Averaged across rates, wood vinegar rapidly desiccated white clover and caused 83 and 71% visual injury at 10 and 30 C, respectively, at 1 d after treatment (DAT). Averaged across temperatures, wood vinegar at 1000, 2000, and 4000 L ha-1 reduced white clover shoot mass by 56, 81, and 98% from the nontreated control at 10 DAT, respectively. In field experiments, weed control increased as wood vinegar rates increased from 1000 to 5000 L ha-1 in dormant zoysiagrass. The effective application dose of wood vinegar required to provide 90% control (ED90) of annual fleabane, Persian speedwell, and white clover was determined to be 2450, 2300, and 4020 L ha-1, respectively, at 2 weeks after treatment. Turf quality did not differ among the wood vinegar treatments and the nontreated control when zoysiagrass completely recovered from dormancy. Overall, results illustrate that wood vinegar resulting from the pyrolysis of apple tree branches can be used as a nonselective herbicide in dormant turfgrass, offering a new non-synthetic herbicide option for weed control in managed turf.

Trials of frankincense harvesting using organic stimulants

Generally, frankincense resin is used as a raw material of the cosmetic and pharmacy industry and is often used as traditional rituals related to mystical things. However, the information related to the stimulant application on frankincense tapping is lacking even not available yet. This article aims to provide the initial information on frankincense tapping technic using three organic stimulants. The trials were conducted in one of the community forests in Dolog Sanggul, North Sumatera. The trees sampled were 40 with an average diameter of 17.07 cm that adjusted with the variable used. Organic stimulants used in this study were wood vinegar, galangal, and lime. The result showed a) the organic stimulant was potential to be applied in frankincense harvesting based on the productivity of produced resin; b) the application of three organic stimulants in frankincense harvesting affected the resin production compared to the control (without stimulant), and c) the resin yield varied between 0.177-1.051 gr with a harvesting period of one month. As an illustration, the resin yield of one frankincense tree averagely 0.1-0.5 kg per year with a harvesting period of 3-4 months without stimulant. The innovation of frankincense harvesting is necessary to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the stem wounding process and stimulant application.

Improving the growth of cempaka (Elmerillia ovalis) seedlings to accelerate ex situ plantation

Cempaka tree (Elmerillia ovalis), best known as a multipurpose tree species, is mostly used for the building of luxurious traditional houses of the Toraja and Minahasa Tribe as well as for religious sculptures. Due to the specific qualifications, the cempaka wood demands gradually increase, while the populations in nature drastically decrease. On the other hand, early seedling growth encounters many obstacles such as recalcitrant seeds, slow growth, and sensitivity to leaf disease. This study aimed to improve the quality of the seedling prepared for a higher survival rate when planted in the field. This research was conducted at the nursery of the Bogor Forest Research and Development Centre, Indonesia. The factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, consisting of two factors: wood vinegar as a growth stimulant and media composition, in three replications. The stimulant factor consisted of two levels: the addition of wood vinegar (1.5 %) and (control), and the media composition factor consisted of four levels: (a) soil 100%, (b) soil: cocopeat rice husks (6: 3: 1), (c) soil: rice husks (1:1), and (d) soil: manure (2:1). The observed parameters were seedling height, diameter, root/shoot ratio, seedling quality index (SQI). The best growth of cempaka seedlings resulted in treatments of wood vinegar in combination with soil media mixed with manure. Seedlings in this treatment height 58.93 cm, 6.8 mm diameter, S/R ratio 3.61, and 1.26 SQI, respectively, better than the others. The best treatment also gives the 12 months seedlings absence of leaf disease.