Response of Ficus variegata seedling size on their early growth in imperata grassland

Abstract

Abstract Ficus variegata is pioneer species that provides pulp raw materials, soil water protection, beehives tree, animal fodder, and medicinal plants. Introduction of F. variegata seedling at Imperata grassland constrained with low plant survival which caused by stressed plants and stagnant growth. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of five F. variegata seedlings size on the initial growth at Imperata grassland. The research was used Randomized Complete Block Design, with 5 seedling sizes for the treatment, there are size A (seedling height 15-50 cm), size B (51-75 cm), size C (76-100 cm), size D (101-125 cm), and size E (126-150 cm). In this research, we observe some parameters like height and stem diameter increment, canopy width, and plant survival at 1, 6, and 12 months old. Different seedling size has a very significant effect at six months old and very significant effect at 12 months old on the height, diameter and width crown increment. Seedling size 15-50 cm has shown faster height growth but has lower survival than another size in the dry season. For rehabilitation Imperata grassland, it is recommended using seedling size 50-125 cm because more adaptive and shown better growth in all parameters.