The cropping system of tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) for commercial planting
2010
Then K. H.
Planting of tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia Jack) in different cropping systems was carried out to study the feasibility of its commercial cultivation to supply the raw material of dry root which majority still harvested from the wild. The study was conducted in year 2003 and 2004 by planting them as mono-cropping and inter-cropping with coconut (dwarf and tall varieties) and timber species (Azadirachta excelsa and Acacia mangium). The average growth performance of cultivated plants under both cropping systems was recorded at 6.0 cm stem diameter at 15 cm above ground and plant height of 485.7 cm five years after planting. The growth was vigorous in the first four years with the annual growth increment of more than 20%. However, growth was slower after five years. The exposed condition in mono-cropping and partial shade condition of intercropping in newly planted timber area provided sufficient sunlight to promote vigorous growth of tongkat ali in the early stage compared to those planted under shaded condition. The compacted and dense root condition in the soil under the high density coconut planting area also restricted the growth of tongkat ali in the early stage. The study also indicated that the stem diameter was suitable for predicting the dry root production of tongkat ali based on the destructive analysis of 240 plants. The estimated dry root yield was 468.7 g per plant in the fifth year.
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