Abstract
Eurycoma spp., also known locally as Tongkat Ali is considered the most popular medicinal plant in Malaysia. The tremendous attention put to it by the public for its medicinal properties has led to its non-selective harvesting at a very alarming rate. Concerted efforts by a number of institutions in the country have been initiated to manage, conserve and recommend a sustainable way of utilizing them. A program to study the genetic diversity of Eurycoma species population, its distribution throughout country and to conserve its genetic resources in situ as well as ex situ has been carried out. As the first step, a preliminary study was conducted to get an idea the kinds of species occurring in the country, its general distribution, preferred habitat, and to look for various observable variations between and within species. Data used in this study was obtained from sixty eight herbarium records, dated back as far as 1930, which were kept in herbarium units located at the various local universities and research institutions within Malaysia. The results indicate that there are two species of Eurycoma found in Malaysia namely E. longifolia and E. apiculata with very little difference to differentiate between them except that apiculata has slightly bigger leaf size. Eurycoma spp. is called by six different local names. Specimens of Eurycoma longifolia and E. apiculata kept in the herbariums were mainly collected from zone 1, 2 and 3. The climatical descriptions of each zone are presented thus giving some indications of its preferred habitat and the locations where the diversity of the species are at the highest. The majority of the apiculata specimens were collected from hilly areas deep in the forest thus is in agreement with the previous findings which stated that apiculata is a mountain species. Flora MapR software was used to predict the areas of possible adaptation of E. Longifolia in Malaysia and the map showing the probability distribution is presented. The map can assist in future germplasm collection and conservation.
Highlights
Plant genetic resources collection and conservation using random basic sampling strategy, a strategy devised under situation where little or no information is available on the target population, normally needs more money, time and personnel to undertake
Seventy two percent of the herbarium specimens examined were of E. longifolia and the rests were E. apiculata
Since all specimens were only collected from West Malaysia, the same cannot be said for Sabah and Sarawak, the two Malaysian states located in the Borneo region
Summary
Plant genetic resources collection and conservation using random basic sampling strategy, a strategy devised under situation where little or no information is available on the target population, normally needs more money, time and personnel to undertake. Information on the kinds of species, the amount of genetic variation in target population and its distribution in the target areas is very useful in developing sampling strategy and collecting routes which can ensure a more efficient utilization of time, manpower and financial resources. One of the two recorded species of Eurycoma, commonly known locally as Tongkat Ali, is considered the most popular medicinal plant in Malaysia. It is widely acclaimed for its energy boosting and aphrodisiac properties. The activities of the project included collecting genetic resources, study on its genetic diversity on traits of commercial importance, set up and suggest most appropriate and efficient methods of conservation, and recommend ways that the species can be utilised commercially with minimum genetic erosion
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