Growth evaluation of several types of energy crops from tropical shrubs species

Dwi Susanto; Auliana Auliana; Rudianto Amirta

doi:10.12688/f1000research.18063.1

Growth evaluation of several types of energy crops from tropical shrubs species

F1000Res. 2019 Mar 25:8:329. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.18063.1. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Dwi Susanto¹, Auliana Auliana¹, Rudianto Amirta²

Affiliations

¹ Physiology and Plant Development Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, 75123, Indonesia.
² Forest Product Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, 75123, Indonesia.

Abstract

Background: Few species of tropical shrubs potentially produce biomass to replace fossil fuels for heat production and electricity. The aims of this study were to determine the growth and nutrient status of leaves of several types of energy crops from tropical shrub species with NPK fertilizer application. Methods: Randomized block design was used with ten replications of four levels of fertilizer treatment: T0 = 40 g, T1 = 80 g, T2 = 120 g and T4 = 160 g per plant. Results: The results indicated that fertilization increased plant growth and the quantity of nutrients in leaves. The plants accumulated a lot of potassium, followed by nitrogen and phosphorus. The species of tropical shrubs with the best growth were Vernonia amygdalina, Calliandra calothyrsus and Gliricidia sepium, which are all potentially cultivated as sustainable energy crops. Conclusions: Serious attention must be paid to the availability of soil nutrients in order to sustain the cultivation of these plants.

Keywords: Energy crops; Pioneer species; Tropical shrubs.

Grants and funding

This work was financially supported by the Grant of Mulawarman University Research of Excellent Program The Development of Four Universities as the Center of Excellent for Nation Competitiveness provided by the Directorate General of Research and Development, the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of Indonesia (2248/UN17.11/PL/2018).