why mushrooms grow after rainnear jalan jelutong, frim. desmos in greek means bond, particularly for...

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)FRIM IN FOCUS | MARCH 20162

Biodiversity article

Amanita princepsAmanita princeps requires one day to grow from a tight button to a fully grown mushroom

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The proverb saying “bagai cendawan tumbuh selepas hujan” or “like mushrooms growing after rain” is familiar to the Malaysian ear. The proverb illustrates the situation of having too many (usually objects) at a time, but in actual situation describes the habit of mushrooms that grow in rapid abundance after being exposed to a rainy spell. This phenomenon stirs up the curiosity as to how rain brings about the sprouting of mushrooms.

WHY MUSHROOMS GROW AFTER RAINMengapa Cendawan Tumbuh Selepas HujanMohd Salleh [email protected]& Patahayah Mansor

differentiated by a specific colour. B. emodensis spores for instance, are olivaceous brown in colour. Spore print (useful for identification of mushrooms) is produced when spores from a fruiting body fall onto a surface. For the most part of the mushroom’s life cycle, the substrate (such as the soil) remains the hiding place. When a sudden fruiting occurs, usually brought about by the rain, the

Boletellus emodensis

A casual observer may think that mushrooms seem to pop up from nowhere. To understand its behaviour, let’s first look at what constitutes the mushroom. Mushrooms are spore-bearing fruiting body of mycelium, which is the vegetative part of a fungus. Spores are tiny but necessary cells for reproduction, which are usually observed under the microscope. Some groups of mushrooms can be

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ORIA

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Dato’ Dr Abd Latif MohmodDr Ismail Harun

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Editor & WriterIda Suraini Abd Shukor

FRIM in Focus (FIF) is distributed free of charge upon request. We welcome feedback on any of the FIF articles.Address comments and enquiries to:

The Editor & Writer of FRIM In FocusForest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)52109 Kepong, Selangor DE, Malaysia

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Cover photo: Boletellus emodensis requires three days to grow from a tiny button to a fully matured mushroom

A Quarterly of the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)MARCH 2016 | FRIM IN FOCUS 3


ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORMohd Salleh Sanusi is a research officer at the Mycology and Pathology Branch of the Forest Biodiversity Division, FRIM.

water expanding the button and spearheads the fruiting of the mushroom. Mycelium is highly absorbent, but its nutrient and water transporting capabilities are inversely related with distance. Thus for mushrooms to survive, many little fruiting bodies and a wet day or heavy dew-fall is needed.

Smaller mushrooms can grow within a day, while medium and larger mushrooms require three to four days, provided a steady moisture supply is available. Different groups of mushroom might take on different growth habits. Amanita princeps (the Agaric) for instance, requires only one day, while Boletellus emodensis (the Bolete) needs three days to grow from a tight button to a fully matured mushroom. There are

Boletellus emodensisBoletellus emodensis requires three days to grow from a tiny button to a fully matured mushroom

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Spore print of B. emodensis is olivaceous brown in colour

Spores of B. emodensis

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mushrooms which only last for hours, while others can survive up to a few weeks. For some tree-based mushroom, the fruiting body may last up to several years.

It is fun to see mushrooms grow. The rapid sprouting of fruiting bodies just after the rain is a sight to behold. Watching the first and the next mushroom appearing, followed by many more mushrooms is an amazing and captivating moment. Mushrooms are one of the many beauties of nature that we should spend time to observe and enjoy.

mushrooms become visible to the naked eye.

There are two stages of growth before a mushroom completes its life cycle. The first stage takes place underground, requires weeks to complete and involves the formation of proto-mushroom. Known as the pin stage, it is a period where mushrooms live in the form of tiny buttons in the mycelium layer, and are hidden from view, usually under the grass, leaves, or under the bark of a dead tree. These buttons are tight bound structures, similar to a compressed, dried sponge that can expand rapidly when exposed to enough water.

The second stage of growth begins with water intake once the moisture level is high enough. The mycelium draws in huge amount of



The custard apple family or Annonaceae, is better known as mempisang among the Malays in Peninsular Malaysia. The family includes about 119 genera in various forms such as woody trees, shrubs and vines. Mempisang is found in South East Asia through Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo to New Guinea, Pacific Islands, Australia, India, Africa, Madagascar, the Neotropics and North America. At FRIM, climbers such as Fissistigma fulgens and Desmos cochinchinensis, and treelet such as Goniothalamus macrophyllus are found growing along nature trails. During a mass flowering which occurred in 2014, the mempisang climbers were among the plants which joined many others in flowering and fruiting aggresively at FRIM.

A RARE FIND FROM THE MEMPISANG FAMILYKeluarga Mempisang yang Jarang DitemuiUmmul-Nazrah Abdul [email protected]& Nadiah Idris

Fissistigma fulgens is a mempisang climber and known as akar larak, akar salah hutan or akar sengolok in Peninsular Malaysia. Fiss in Latin means cleave and stigma in Greek refers to markings made by pointed instruments. At FRIM, it is found on a tree near the mosque and at the beginning of the track to the canopy walkway. The woody climber can snake up on trees reaching to 4 to 6 m in height. The climber is rarely visible from the ground, and thus conforms to its preference of being fully exposed to the sunlight. The plant is sometimes found near forest edges or at disturbed areas. The flower is strongly fragrant with a melon-like smell. The flower bud splits open into a three star-like petals with rusty brown coverings and dust-like hairs. The leaves are green with an underside of brown hair coverings, which look like brown dust against the green surface. Fissistigma leaves are boiled and eaten during confinement and used as poultice to treat sore legs.

Fissistigma fulgens

1 Flowering climber2 Bud and flower showing three star-like petals3 Underside of leaves covered with rusty brown and

dust-like hairs4 Climber which is mostly found on trees, high

above ground

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ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORUmmul Nazrah Abdul Rahman is a research officer at the Floral Biodiversity Programme, FRIM. She is a team member of the Flora of Peninsular Malaysia Project and her research area is mainly on plant taxonomy, particularly for trees in Peninsular Malaysia.

Desmos cochinchinensis

1 Clusters of glossy green yellow pearl-shaped fruits

2 Bright yellow flowers emit cananga-like smell

Another climber is Desmos cochinchinensis and can be found near Jalan Jelutong, FRIM. Desmos in Greek means bond, particularly for a fruit. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is known as larak salai or kenanga hutan and its bright yellow flowers have a pleasant cananga-like smell. The flowers are formed by three pale green sepals with three outer and inner yellowish petals each. The yellow-flowered plant is typically a climber on trees but it may also be a shrub. The Vietnamese use dried flowers to treat cough while the Chinese use the roots to treat malaria. The roots are also boiled to treat fever. A fairly unique appearance of the plant is the glossy green-yellow fruits similar to bracelets of beans and pearls.

Goniothalamus macrophyllus

1 Inflorescences and fruits sprouting on the main stem2 Yellow-green flower (below) turns dark red (above)

upon maturity

Goniothalamus macrophyllus is a small tree, or treelet of 3 to 4 m tall with smooth stem and brownish green outer bark. Greek for gonia means angle, while thalamus is the base of the flower, or the receptacle. In Malaysia, it is known as gajah beranak or lada hutan. The treelet sprouts inflorescence along its main stem and branches. The yellow-green flower turns dark red upon maturity while the fruit is green and glossy. The mempisang treelet grows on the lowlands and up to lower montane forest. Goniothalamus are typically identified by its sepal which is shaped like a triangular or three-angled star. The decoction of Goniothalamus roots is used in postnatal treatment and when applied externally, it is useful for treatment of cold, fever and typoid fever. The leaves are used traditionally to repel mosquitos, poisonous snakes and wild animals.

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Red silk-cotton tree with straight cylindrical stem and horizontal

branches arranged in whorls

Large red flowers with fleshy and showy petals Malaysians recognise the white-flowered kapuk tree (Ceiba

pentandra) as a common source of kapuk fibres for stuffing various products. However, there is another kapuk tree known as the red silk-cotton tree or Bombax ceiba. Though largely unfamiliar, the tree with its red and large showy flowers (hence the name) also bears fruits containing silk-cotton fibre.

brown matured flower buds form, enlarge and open to create a striking sight of branches covered with large, fleshy and showy red flowers. The fleshy petals attract birds, insects and bees, which may lend themselves as pollinators. The flowers are short-lived, usually lasting from five to seven days. Since maturity occurs at different times, intense flowering can last up to one month. During the season, the ground beneath the flowering

The red silk-cotton tree is a large deciduous tree. Its straight cylindrical stem is adorned by horizontal branches arranged in whorls. The trunk and branches of a young tree is covered with large woody spines, unlike its mature or aged counterpart. The inner bark is pink to reddish in colour when cut. The tree starts losing its leaves from January to February while early March marks the beginning of the flowering season. The

RED SILK COTTON TREE WITH STRIKING FLOWERSPokok Kapas Sutera Berbunga Merah Menawan

Nadiah [email protected]

Bark of an old tree showing scars from dropped spines Inner bark



ABOUT THE AUTHORNadiah Idris is a research officer at the Floral Biodiversity Programme, FRIM. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology (Botany) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She is a team member of the Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak Project and her research area is mainly on plant taxonomy, particularly for trees in Sabah and Sarawak.

1. Palmate compound leaf with long flexible petiole

2. Matured flower bud

3. Opened flower with five silky petals surrounding five groups of black-tipped stamens

4. Leaved branches showing young fruit

5. Matured fruit has five seams which split open to release the seeds

6. Young fruit cut to show embedded seeds

7. Matured fruit split open to release white cottony strands of the embedded seeds

8. B. ceiba planted as a shade tree at a roadside in Sandakan, Sabah

season, flushes of leaves and young fruits emerge. By May, the matured fruits will split to release seeds embedded in white cottony strands which are blown far from the mother tree by the wind.

The exact origin of the red silk-cotton tree is unknown, but southern China and Indomalaya are fairly possible locations. The tree is hardly seen in Peninsular Malaysia though it is widely-planted elsewhere such as in Sandakan, Sabah in parks and roadsides. Due to its large size, the red silk-cotton tree is suitable as park or shade trees. Besides the usefulness of the cottony fibres, the beautiful attractive flowers make the tree a lovely ornamental plant.

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Photos by Suzana Sabran

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tree will be littered with fallen blooms which provide food for squirrels and other animals. At the end of the flowering

The Earth is protected from direct solar rays by the atmosphere comprising an array of greenhouse gases. If the amount of greenhouse gases increases tremendously, the atmosphere becomes too thick and Earth will be uncomfortably hot, i.e. the greenhouse effect. Scientists discovered the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the highest since 3 million years ago. The rapid collection of gases enhances the greenhouse effect making the Earth warmer and affects the planet’s weather patterns, creating global warming and climate change.

The effects of climate change are already seen, proven disastrous and require immediate attention. To prevent further climate related problems, countries should take on responsibilities to mitigate the impacts, particularly by reducing emission from greenhouse gases. Tropical forests and developing countries play important roles in the mechanism known as REDD+ to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

The mechanism which is being developed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will provide financial incentive to developing countries to reduce emissions or enhance carbon sequestration above a fixed baseline. Malaysia for instance, requires the baseline data on the status of the country’s forest destruction before the national REDD strategy can be finalised. Effective

implementation of REDD+ projects requires enhancement of capacity. FRIM receives support from the International Timber Trade Organization (ITTO) for the project under the REDDES programme of reducing deforestation and forest degradation, and enhancing environmental services in tropical forests. The project is expected to provide critical baseline data to support the implementation of the strategy.

Peat swamp forest

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT FOR A BETTER CLIMATEPengurusan Hutan Secara Berkekalan untuk Iklim yang Lebih BaikDr Samsudin [email protected]

Dr Ismail [email protected]

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Forestry article

level assessments, which involves the state governments’ willingness to contribute to the mechanism which is voluntary in nature. Outputs from the REDD+ mechanism can be easily adopted in other Peninsular Malaysia states as they have the same forest management system. The project will provide opportunities to enhance the value of the forests and promote SFM as the best management practices for the tropical forests in Malaysia. The project will complement other REDD+ related initiatives as well as the government efforts in developing and implementing the REDD strategy in Malaysia. The experience in conducting REDD+ at the sub-national level (state of Pahang) will be valuable in supporting Malaysia’s commitment under the UNFCCC.

The three-year REDD+ project for Peninsular Malaysia began in February 2013 and utilises sustainable forest management (SFM) as a mitigation tool to reduce forest degradation and emissions towards alleviating the effects of climate change. The mangroves, peat swamp and hill forests are the major tropical forests in Malaysia that are being managed for both production and conservation purposes. They store large amount of carbon and therefore, have enormous potential for improved management and conservation under the REDD+ mechanism. The deforestation rate was assessed by identifying the drivers and documenting forestry data for the cause of deforestation activities. As deforestation rate is stable for the country, the emissions for REDD+ mechanism would probably come from the reduction of forest degradation or enhancement of carbon stock in Peninsular Malaysia.

Besides FRIM as the executing agency, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) and the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (FDPM) and Pahang State Forestry Department (Pahang FD) are the major players of the project which also receives technical inputs from international experts. Pahang was selected as a project site due to its significant contribution to forestry, economy and social development. Pahang has the largest forested

area in Peninsular Malaysia and comprises all major forest types (mangrove, peat swamp and inland forest). In the year 2010, the total land area comprised 63.6 percent of forested land, with 43.3 percent of permanent reserved forest (PRF) and 20.3 percent of stateland forest. The trend of deforestation and the main drivers of deforestation (oil palm plantation, agriculture crops and urban development) in Pahang stateland forest were identified for the years 2000 to 2010. Besides its land attributes, the basis of the selection for the project was the forest dependent communities, or the Orang Asli, which may be directly affected by the implementation of REDD+.

Once implemented, the project is expected to better integrate climate change considerations into forest management by assessing SFM practices, in terms of emissions generated and carbon stored, and improvement on silvicultural and management prescriptions. Also being evaluated are the incentives for non-carbon benefits from the forestry sector such as watershed and improved livelihood of forest dependent community under a payment for ecosystem services (PES) system.

The REDD+ mechanism is based and reported at the national level. Nevertheless, accounting will be based at the sub-national or state

Further information on the FRIM-ITTO REDDES project :Facebook(fb): www.facebook.com/pages/FRIM-ITTO-REDDESWebsite: www.frim.gov.my/frim-itto-reddes

ABOUT THE AUTHORSDr Samsudin Musa is Director of the Forestry and Environment Division andDr Ismail Parlan is Head of the Natural Forest Programme, FRIM. They are also the project coordinator and project manager of FRIM-ITTO REDDES.

Mangrove forest


Forestry article

A tract of pristine mangrove forest at delta Kelantan

Mangrove is a type of forest which thrives on salty wetlands. Mangrove forest with its unique environment, composition of floral and faunal species delivers a wide range of ecosystem services such as providing fresh air, detoxifying waste and stabilising the climate. The fascinating forest also serves as a site for recreation, education and scientific research purposes. Although the services to the public are not traded in the market, they provide indirect values which are vital to the many livelihoods. The mangrove ecosystem and its biodiversity must be aptly managed in order to reap the benefits.

DELTA KELANTAN MANGROVE FORESTSHutan Paya Bakau Delta Kelantan

Mohd Parid Mamat,[email protected] Abdullah & Dr Lim Hin Fui

Mussel caught from the river

The delta Kelantan mangrove forest ecosystem was studied to quantify the total economic value (TEV) using three pre-determined values: direct use value (fishery and eco-tourism), indirect use value (carbon sequestration) and the non-use value (or existence value of mangroves in an unharmed state). The values for direct and indirect uses were calculated using the product market value, while the existence value was derived from the contingent valuation method (CVM).

Residents around the delta Kelantan mangrove forest were surveyed in 2013 to quantify

the direct and indirect uses of the forest. The average direct use value from fishery for 2242 fisherman households was RM57 per household per month or RM1,533,528 per year. The non-market value for recreational fishing estimate was based on an annual participation of 6480 individuals, with estimated value ranging from RM11 to RM35 per individual per trip. The annual value of recreational fishing ranged from RM71,280 to RM228,614 in the year 2013. Carbon stock was calculated using cultivation and planting data from 2000 to 2006 where 80,683 trees were planted in an area of 63 ha. Estimated carbon


Forestry Economics article

Fisherman using net for fishing

ABOUT THE MAIN AUTHORMohd Parid Mamat is the Head of Social Forestry Programme, Research Planning Division, FRIM. He is also a member of the Malaysian Environmental Economics Association (MEEA) and currently involved in a number of studies related to forestry economics and social forestry.

stock at the planting area was 3729 tons. Carbon prices vary depending on the location and type of market (i.e. voluntary market), as well as supply and demand. Assuming a price of RM12 per ton, another RM44,752 was added to the value of the mangrove.

The non-use value relies on the contingent-valuation method (CVM) to estimate the economic value of conserving a particular forest ecosystem. Respondent households around the area were asked for their willingness to contribute a conservation fee to preserve the delta Kelantan mangrove forest ecosystem. The willingness to pay (WTP) was elicited from 447 households. The average was estimated between RM33.99 and RM36.54, which contributed annual revenue of between RM4.2 and RM4.5 million. Placing economic values on natural resources, particularly the mangrove ecosystem is a useful tool to compare the benefits between projects or programmes, and serves as guide in deciding the best use of the resources. Management of natural resources and regulation of activities that affect the resources can be undertaken more effectively, and impact of a policy on the mangrove ecosystem may be discerned.

A fisherman at the delta Kelantan showing his catch for the day

Mangrove aerial roots exposed at low tide


Forestry Economics article

Tasik Chini di Daerah Pekan, Pahang merupakan tasik semula jadi kedua terbesar di Malaysia. Lembangan Tasik Chini menerima bekalan air daripada empat batang sungai iaitu Sungai Datang, Sungai Gumum, Sungai Perupok, dan Sungai Melai. Sungai Chini yang terletak di utara merupakan satu-satunya aliran keluar air sepanjang 4.8 km yang menyambungkan Tasik Chini dengan Sungai Pahang. Tasik Chini dikelilingi oleh paya air tawar dan hutan paya seluas 700 hektar, dan merupakan habitat kepada pelbagai tumbuhan dan haiwan akuatik. Selain menyediakan sumber air dan rezeki kepada penduduk sekitar, keindahan Tasik Chini menarik kunjungan pelancong dari dalam dan luar negeri, serta merupakan salah satu destinasi tarikan ekopelancongan Pahang. Tasik Chini disenaraikan sebagai Tapak Rizab Biosfera pada 2009 program Manusia dan Biosfera (MAB) yang merupakan inisiatif pertama UNESCO yang diwartakan di Malaysia. Lembangan Tasik Chini diwartakan sebagai rizab awam bagi pelancongan pada 4 November 1989.

MEMULIHARA KEINDAHAN FLORA LEMBANGAN TASIK CHINIConserving the Beauty of Lake Chini Basin

Dr Abd Rahman [email protected]& Mohd Ghazali Hassan

Keunikan alam semula jadi tasik dan sungai Chini terletak pada ekosistemnya yang terdiri daripada gabungan paya air tawar dan beberapa jenis hutan seperti hutan paya air tawar, hutan tebing sungai, hutan dipterokarpa tanah pamah dan hutan bukit. Hutan tebing sungai, atau lebih dikenali sebagai hutan ‘levee’ yang terdapat di pertengahan dan hilir Sungai Chini mengandungi pelbagai spesies pokok tinggi dan matang seperti ara, cempedak air dan mempari sungai.

Ekosistem lembangan Tasik Chini semakin terancam dengan meningkatnya pelbagai projek pembangunan dan guna tanah seperti perlombongan, penebangan hutan dan perladangan. Beberapa kawasan hutan semakin terosot kerana dicemari oleh pencerobohan haram. Usaha penghutanan semula kawasan yang diceroboh perlu mengambil pendekatan

menggunakan hasil kajian saintifik.

Kawasan tasik juga mengalami masalah aliran air berlebihan akibat hujan lebat daripada Sungai Pahang. Pada akhir tahun 2014, limpahan air yang luar biasa ke Tasik Chini mengakibatkan banjir besar, meruntuhkan sebahagian besar tebing sungai dan menenggelamkan tasik. Tumbuhan akuatik terutamanya teratai, yang menjadi ikon serta daya tarikan utama Tasik Chini, turut terjejas akibat lama terendam. Komuniti teratai di tebing tasik hampir pupus dan memerlukan masa yang panjang untuk pulih dan kembali dominan. Banjir besar juga membawa hikmahnya tersendiri dengan mengurangkan secara ketara dominasi tumbuhan invasif seperti ekor kucing eksotik (Cabomba furcata) yang berasal daripada

Pemandangan di tebing Tasik Chini

Demonstrasi penyediaan stok tanaman teratai

Ghazali memberi penerangan semasa demonstrasi penyediaan stok anak teratai


Forestry article

Tentang Penulis UtamaDr Abd Rahman Kassim ialah Ketua Program Geoinformasi, Bahagian Perhutanan dan Alam Sekitar, FRIM. Beliau juga adalah National Focal Point untuk Scientific and Technical Review Panel untuk RAMSAR (Malaysia). Beliau kini terlibat dalam pembangunan indeks integriti ekologi untuk pelbagai ekosistem hutan di bawah RMK11.

Sebahagian tebing Tasik Chini, sebulan

selepas dilanda banjir

Program penanaman pokok di Laut Sembilan,

Tasik Chini Spesies ekor kucing asal dan pendatang

Utricularia punctata ialah ekor kucing yang berasal dari Tasik Bera

Cabomba furcata ialah ekor kucing yang berasal

dari Amerika Selatan

Amerika Selatan. Penurunan ketara komuniti ekor kucing invasif memberi peluang kepada spesies tempatan, iaitu Utricularia punctata yang berasal daripada Tasik Bera untuk membiak dan terus hidup.

Pemuliharaan Tasik Chini sebagai warisan alam dan rizab biosfera Malaysia dikendalikan oleh Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Alam Sekitar (NRE) yang menyediakan peruntukan bagi beberapa projek bertujuan menggalakkan perkembangan industri ekopelancongan serta pertumbuhan ekonomi masyarakat setempat. Beberapa pelan tindakan pemuliharaan lembangan Tasik Chini telah dirangka dalam tempoh Rancangan Malaysia ke-10 yang melibatkan kerjasama FRIM

dengan Jabatan Perhutanan Semananjung Malaysia (JPSM) dan Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pahang (JPNP) dalam menjalankan aktiviti pemuliharaan tumbuhan darat dan akuatik.

Sepanjang tempoh 2014 hingga 2015, kerjasama yang telah dilaksana ialah beberapa projek pemuliharaan sumber biodiversiti

di lembangan Tasik Chini seperti pemulihan kawasan terosot (pengelasan, survei tanah, dan penanaman pokok hutan, buah-buahan nadir, palma dan buluh), inventori spesies asal (penyenaraian dan penyediaan buku rujukan spesies riparian dan akuatik, dan pengenalan semula spesies terancam), dan penanaman semula teratai.

Pokok buluh selepas sembilan bulan

ditanam di tebing Laut Sembilan


Forestry article

Keunikan spesies Aquilaria terletak pada resin yang lebih dikenali sebagai gaharu (agarwood), yang dihasilkan pada bahagian dalam batang pokok. Gaharu bernilai tinggi di pasaran terutamanya dalam industri minyak wangi. Secara semula jadi, gaharu terbentuk apabila pokok Aquilaria (dikenali juga sebagai karas) dijangkiti penyakit atau berlaku kecederaan, namun kuantiti yang dihasilkan adalah sedikit dan tidak tetap.

TEKNOLOGI DNA KENAL PASTI SPESIES AQUILARIADNA Technology Authenticates Aquilaria Species

Dr Siti Salwana [email protected]

Nilai gaharu boleh mencapai sehingga RM25,000/kg, bergantung kepada gred dan kualiti manakala teknologi penginokulatan pula mampu meningkatkan pengeluaran gaharu. Faktor-faktor ini menyebabkan penubuhan ladang hutan Aquilaria semakin meningkat. Terdapat lima spesies Aquilaria di Malaysia iaitu A. malaccensis (gaharu, karas atau depu), A. microcarpa (garu), A. hirta (candan), A. rostrata dan A. beccariana (gaharu tanduk). Penuaian haram yang tidak terkawal menyebabkan Aquilaria menghadapi ancaman kepupusan dan disenaraikan dalam Apendiks I, II dan II, Konvensyen Perdagangan Antarabangsa Mengenai Spesies Terancam (CITES) (Akta 686). Akta tersebut antara lainnya mengawal perdagangan antarabangsa flora dan fauna yang tersenarai dalam CITES. Akta ini menghendaki pengusaha ladang mendaftar, melaporkan maklumat spesies yang ditanam berserta sijil pengesahan spesies.

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Biotechnology article

Tentang PenulisDr Siti Salwana Hashim mengetuai Cawangan Pengeluaran Bahan Tanaman, Bahagian Bioteknologi Hutan sejak September 2013 dan telah berkhidmat selama 20 tahun sebagai pegawai penyelidik FRIM. Beliau memperoleh ijazah Sarjana Muda dalam bidang sains hortikultur daripada UPM pada tahun 1991 dan Doktor Falsafah dalam bidang genetik daripada UKM pada tahun 2009. Beliau telah melibatkan diri dalam kajian genetik tumbuhan ke atas beberapa spesies antaranya rotan, meranti sarang punai, khaya, sentang, kempas, kacip fatimah, karas dan sesenduk.

Pengecaman Aquilaria sebagai stok tanaman sering menjadi masalah kerana anak pokok spesies yang berbeza mempunyai daun yang hampir sama, manakala buah dan bunga kelihatan lebih kurang sama. FRIM telah membangunkan satu teknologi pengecaman spesies Aquilaria dengan menggunakan pendekatan teknologi penanda DNA dalam menyokong pelaksanaan akta ini dan membantu pengusaha ladang,

Penggunaan penanda DNA untuk tujuan pengesahan antara spesies adalah popular kerana keputusan yang diperoleh adalah tepat berbanding kaedah lain. Kod bar DNA merupakan satu sistem yang mampu mengesahkan spesies menggunakan data yang diperoleh daripada penyelidikan. Sistem ini berkesan bagi mengenal pasti variasi antara spesies haiwan (terutamanya) dan tumbuhan. Seiring dengan peningkatan teknologi penanda DNA, FRIM telah berjaya menjalankan pemisahan spesies tempatan Aquilaria dan

tiga spesies eksotik yang banyak ditanam di Malaysia (A. crassna, A. subintegra dan A. sinensis). Tujuh spesies Aquilaria telah dikaji bagi menentukan spesies masing-masing menggunakan penanda DNA dari kawasan kloroplas. Empat kawasan kloroplas telah digunakan bagi membezakan sampel Aquilaria kepada lima kluster iaitu, A. crassna dan A. subintegra, A. malaccensis dan A. hirta, A. sinensis, A. beccariana dan A. microcarpa. Satu kawasan kloroplas pula digunakan bagi membezakan antara spesies A. malaccensis dan A. hirta. Namun penanda kloroplas yang dikaji tidak dapat membezakan antara A. crassna dan A. subintegra.

Kajian ini mendapat pembiayaan daripada Kementerian Sains Teknologi dan Inovasi serta sokongan daripada Jabatan Perhutanan Semenanjung Malaysia dan Sarawak. Pensampelan spesies Aquilaria juga mendapat bantuan daripada individu perseorangan.

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Bunga bagi enam spesies terpilih Aquilaria

1. A. microcarpa2. A. subintegra3. A. hirta4. A. malaccensis5. A. crassna6. A. beccariana

Buah bagi lima spesies terpilih Aquilaria

7. A. microcarpa8. A. crassna9. A. hirta10. A. malaccensis11. A. subintegra


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1. Dr Ismail HarunDilantik sebagai Timbalan Ketua Pengarah (Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan) pada 18 November 2015 Mula berkhidmat di FRIM pada 1 Ogos 1990

2. Dr Rahim SudinDilantik sebagai Timbalan Ketua Pengarah (Operasi) pada 6 Julai 2015 Mula berkhidmat di FRIM pada 2 Jun 1981

3. Dr Lillian Chua Swee LianDilantik sebagai Pengarah Bahagian Biodiversiti Hutan pada 1 Januari 2016 Mula berkhidmat di FRIM pada 5 Mei 1992

4. Dr Khali Aziz HamzahDilantik sebagai Pengarah Bahagian Inovasi dan Komersialisasi pada 1 Oktober 2015 Mula berkhidmat di FRIM pada 1 Oktober 1986

5. Dr Samsudin MusaDilantik sebagai Pengarah Perhutanan dan Alam Sekitar pada 18 November 2015 Mula berkhidmat di FRIM pada 1 November 1997

6. Dr Gan Kee SengDilantik sebagai Pengarah Keluaran Hutan pada 6 Julai 2015 Mula berkhidmat di FRIM pada 7 September 1984

1. S-ACCHA: Simple acclimatisation chamber for tissue culture plantlets of forest tree species S-ACCHA: Kebuk pengikliman mudah untuk anak pokok kultur tisu spesies pokok hutan Dr Nor Hasnida Hassan, pingat perak

2. Producing acid-free paper from wastes Penghasilan kertas tanpa asid daripada bahan buangan Dr Rushdan Ibrahim, pingat gangsa

3. Engineered lumber residues for making interior products Bahan sisa balak terjurutera untuk penghasilan produk dalaman Dr Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin, pingat gangsa

Dari kiri: Dr Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin, Dr Nor Hasnida Hassan dan Dr Rushdan Ibrahim

PELANTIKAN PENGURUSAN TERTINGGI FRIM YANG BAHARUAppointment of New FRIM Top Management

PEMENANG PERTANDINGAN INOVASI EKSPO TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA (MTE 2016)

Rosdi Mohamad

Maklumat: Bahagian Sumber Manusia, FRIM


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why mushrooms grow after rainnear jalan jelutong, frim. desmos in greek means bond, particularly for...

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