The Potential of Central Kalimantan’s Local Orchid as Material Source for Genetic Improvement

Abstract

Central Kalimantan Province with total area of 15.380.000 ha or about 7.93 % of Indonesian areas consists of coastal regions and forest areas has potential biodiversity such as Orchidaceae. This region has various type of lands involving peat lands, swamplands with acid sulphate soils and up lands. The existence of orchid in Central Kalimantan’s forest can be found scattered in forest areas with high diversity life, form and uses. The methodology used include exploration and collection and they were conducted at six districts, i.e. East Barito, South Barito, North Barito, East Kotawaringin and Murung Raya, starting from March 2016 until December 2018. The objective of this study was as follows: (1). The exploration process, (2). The ex-situ and in-situ conservation, (3). The characterization process, (4). The documentation process. The results of these activities shown that there are several ex situ collection of 8 accessions of medicinal plants that can be used as a source of material for genetic improvement. The orchid plant’s conservation can be conducted through in-situ and or ex-situ. In-situ conservation can be conducted through managing forest areas as the natural habitat of the material for genetic improvement, while for ex-situ conservation, it can be managed outside of the native habitats. Appropriate utilization and research activities are important in conservation of the material for genetic improvement in Central Kalimantan