Observation of morphological and physiological characteristics on Abangares Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King.) in South Sulawesi

Abstract

The one of identification system using morphophysiological analyses for breeding program Mahogany is needed. Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is a tree species which is easy to cultivate as it is able to thrive in a great variety of habitats and soil types. Here, we present a study on the relationship between morphological and physiological parameters on S. macrophylla. The study was carried out in a seed orchard of Mahogany in genetic resource area of 2nd Forest Seed/Seedling Office, Gowa district, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, in October 2017 up to March 2018. Morphological and physiological analyses were performed on 31 S. macrophylla leaf samples. The morphological parameters consisted of leaf color, leaf shape, leaf tip, leaf base, leaf margin, upper leaf surface texture, leaf venation, and tree diameter. Meanwhile, the physiological ones were chlorophyll content, leaf area, and water content. Leaf samples were divided into three colors, two leaf shapes, and three leaf base shapes. They also had tapered leaf tip, pinnate venation, and glabrous leaf surface. The chlorophyll content and leaf area had a very low coefficient correlation, whereas leaf area and water content showed very high coefficient correlation. The relation between morphology and physiology could be determined by the correspondence between chlorophyll content and leaf color. The higher chlorophyll content, the greener the observed leaf.