Growth and Nutrient Status of Kayu Kuku [ Pericopsis mooniana (Thw.) Thw] with Mycorrhiza in Soil Media of Nickel Post Mining Site.

BACKGROUND

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi are categorized as phytoremediant and increase the tolerance of plants under condition of heavy metal pollution. Effectiveness of AMF is determined very much by species of AMF, plant species and environmental condition. Therefore, testing the effect of local AMF on growth and absorption of nutrients and metal by Pericopsis mooniana planting stocks in growing media which are heavily polluted by heavy metal, need to be conducted.

METHODOLOGY

There were testing of 6 inoculums of local AMF which were isolated from rhizosphere of P. mooniana, namely AMF from district of Kolaka (Lamedai Nature Reserve, Tanggetada Natural Forest, Bali Jaya Village Plantation Forest and PT. Vale Indonesia Tbk) and from Kendari town (Campus environment of Halu Oleo University and Office of Southeast Sulawesi Governor). Besides the 6 local AMF, there were treatment without AMF (control) and treatment with mycofer as comparison.

RESULTS

Results showed that local AMF were effective in increasing growth and biomass of plants; absorption of C, N, P and K in three parts of the plants; Ca in stems and leaves and of Mg in leaf tissues; increasing formation of plant's root nodules and were able to reduce Ni content in tissues of kayu kuku planting stocks. Effects of local AMF from Lamedai nature reserve and AMF from PT. Vale Indonesia were greater as compared with those of mycofer IPB. Content of Ni in kayu kuku plant tissue was found more in roots as shown by the value of TF<1.

CONCLUSION

Based on this study, kayu kuku is categorized as excluder species (TF<1) and moderate species toward Ni (>50 mg Ni/kg of plant dry weight) and possessed very high dependence on AMF (MIE >75%). Local AMF are potential to be developed as biological fertilizer to improve planting stocks for rehabilitation of degraded land.