Abstract:
Micorrhizae have been proved to increase the growth of trees from Dipterocarpaceae
family, but the research about applying several methods and inoculum levels has not
been done. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective method of applying
mycorrhizae inoculation and optimum levels of inoculum for the growth of red meranti
wildlings. Experimental design used was a 4 × 3 Nested Randomized Design, which
consisted of two factors: inoculation methods and inoculum doses nested in the
inoculation methods. Inoculation methods consisted of capsules, spores, spore
suspension, and mycorrhizal soil. Inoculum doses consisted of 1 capsule, 2 capsules,
and 3 capsules; 15 mg spores, 20 mg spores, and 25 mg spores; 3 ml of spore
suspension, 4 ml of spore suspension, and 5 ml of spore suspension; 120 g soil, 160 g
soil, and 200 g soil. Total seedling used was 12 × 3 × 5 = 180 wildlings. The results
showed that the method of inoculation significantly affected the increase in height; and
the levels of inoculum significantly increased the diameter of wildlings. The highest height
of wildlings was the wildlings provided mycorrhizae spores (3,269 cm). The highest
diameter increment was reached by the wildlings treated with mycorrhizal soil 200 g
(0.374 cm). Mycorrhizae spores and mycorrhizal soil are available in large quantities in
nature so they are feasible to use.
