Analisis Pertumbuhan Bibit Cengkih Tuni pada Persemaian Petani Penangkar

Abstract

Seedling growth assessment is essential for improving planting material quality and supporting sustainable clove cultivation. This study evaluated the morphological and physiological growth performance of Tuni clove seedlings across three farmer-managed nurseries on Ambon Island, Indonesia. Seedlings aged 7–9 months were assessed at Liliboy, Wakal, and Hila using nine growth parameters: seedling height, leaf number, leaf area, leaf area index, plant dry weight, shoot-to-root ratio, relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), and crop growth rate (CGR). Growth measurements were compared across nursery locations, with reported differences evaluated using analysis of variance and Tukey's honestly significant difference test. Liliboy exhibited the highest leaf increment (7.0 leaves), leaf area (161.9 cm²), RGR (0.024 g g⁻¹ day⁻¹), and NAR (0.34 g m⁻² day⁻¹). Hila recorded the highest leaf area index (0.7) and shoot-to-root ratio (5.7). Leaf increment and RGR differed significantly between Liliboy and Wakal at the 5% level. These findings demonstrate variation in seedling growth characteristics across nursery locations, with Liliboy showing comparatively favourable performance across several indicators. Integrating morphological and physiological measurements may strengthen nursery-level seedling assessment, although environmental drivers and broader seedling quality implications require further investigation through appropriately replicated studies.