The growth tree saplings Shorea platyclados with various shades and NPK fertilizer

Abstract

Shorea platyclados, known to the public as Meranti Bukit, is one of the species whose existence is difficult to find, so efforts are needed for its preservation, namely by propagation techniques with natural saplings that are expected to produce optimal growth.S. platyclados, including types that can grow with a light intensity of 30–50% and therefore require shade for early growth, needs NPK fertilizer to get optimal growth. This study aims to obtain the appropriate dose of NPK fertilizer and optimum light requirements for the growth of natural saplings by measuring the percent of life, height, diameter, and number of leaves. The design used is a random group design (rack) with 5 additional treatments of NPK fertilizer doses, namely control (0 gr), 0.25 gr, 0.50 gr, 0.75 gr, and 1 gr, and 4 shade blocks, namely without shade (0%), shade 50%, shade 60%, and shade 70%. The results showed that the application of NPK fertilizer significantly affected the number of leaves. The result is an increase in the number of leaves at a dose of 1 g with a value of 17 (strands) and 0.75 g with a value of 15 (strands). The provision of shade blocks has a significant effect on the diameter parameters. The best result is an increase in diameter at 70% shade, with an average diameter of 1,984 mm. NPK fertilizer application shows a 100% life percentage, and shade application shows a 100% life percentage.