Spatial pattern, reproductive phenology and sugar production of nipa palm, Nypa fruticans in Labuk Bay, Sabah
A study on spatial pattern, reproductive phenology and sugar production of nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) was done in a small patch of mangrove forest in Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary (LBPMS), Sandakan, Sabah. The objectives of the study were to determine the spatial pattern of distribution, the...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/42803/1/24%20PAGES.pdf https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/42803/2/FULLTEXT.pdf https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/42803/ |
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| Summary: | A study on spatial pattern, reproductive phenology and sugar production of nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) was done in a small patch of mangrove forest in Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary (LBPMS), Sandakan, Sabah. The objectives of the study were to determine the spatial pattern of distribution, the cycle of reproductive phenology and to study the sugar sap production of nipa palm using two methods: traditional and heat treatment method. Comparison study of xylem vessels and phloem areas of these methods were also investigated briefly. The pattern of univariate and bivariate association were shown using Ripley K (t) function in R. Most plots exhibit complete spatial randomness except for plots with association to mangrove trees and further inland where water is scarce. Juvenile palms showed attraction towards adult at plots further inland. Independent relationship was seen in area with steady flows of water. Data on time taken (days) for each stages of reproductive phases were collected for 54 palms in a period of 12 months (July, 2014 to July, 2015). Flowering and fruiting events are seasonal. Phase 1 (flower bud) takes an average of 43 days (n=13, SD=23.88). Female flower (Phase 2) and male flower (Phase 3) occurred for each 5 days (n=14, SD=1.83) and 11 days (n=13, SD=3.9), respectively. Phase 4, immature fruit, occurred throughout July until December 2014 (141 days, n=16, SD=31.85). Matured fruits with hardened endosperm (Phase 5) were seen to peaks in July and August (82 days, n=37, SD=46.2). Data for sugar sap productions was done with 11 mature palms chosen that possessed 9 – 13 fronds. In average, by using traditional methods of massage, the palms (n=6) produced average sap from 450.6 mL to 774.1 mL daily with average brix concentration ranging from 17.8% to 19.2% daily. By using heated method: where the infructescence’s stalk were decanted with heated water (80-90°C), the palms produced average sap from 71.1 mL to 540.85 mL sap daily with average brix concentration ranging from 18.78% to 20.26% daily. Traditional method is still the best method in obtaining high amount of sap. However, heated method produced higher sugar concentration. In investigation of total area of phloem and xylem vessels from these two different methods of tapping nira, there was a significant difference in total xylem area (p-value=1.95 x 10-7 and 0.0196). The heat treatment has resulted in the largest area of xylem (1711.02 μm2). However, heat treatment did not generate more nira compared to traditional method of massaging the stalk. Therefore, this needs further investigation to explore the best heat method for nira tapping. |
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