Vegetative propagation with branch cuttings as a solution for the mass development of giant atter species (Gigantochloa atter (Hassk) Kurz) in industrial plantations

Abstract

Giant atter species (Gigantochloa atter (Hassk) Kurz) is one of the non-timber forest products that is currently widely used by the community in various needs, including: conservation plants, buffer zone plants, home building construction materials, and for handicraft materials. However, the large number of uses of this bamboo as raw material is not balanced with efforts to preserve and develop it through cultivation, causing the giant atter declining in nature. Therefore, the multiplication technique using branch cuttings is one of the important choices for mass development of the bamboo in the future. This study aims to determine the effect of the position of branch cuttings on bamboo stems and the concentration of hormones that can provide the best growth in the field. The treatment consists of two factors as follows: the first factor is the position of branch cuttings on the stem, namely: the base, the middle part, and the tip of the bamboo stem. The branch cuttings were lubricated with growtone hormone with a dose variation of 15 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg, and 60 mg for each branch cuttings. The results showed that the development of giant atter in a large quantities, branch cuttings can be used from all parts of the bamboo stem as plant material, and a dose of growtone hormone as much as 30 mg gives a good ability to grow in the field. The impact of this study is expected to be a guideline for policy makers in the Department of Forestry in the context of mass development of bamboo through vegetative cultivation.