Exploration of plus trees of candlenut ( Aleurites moluccanus ) as an initial strategy for tree breeding programs
Year: 2026
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Candlenut ( Aleurits moluccanus ) is an important non-timber forest product with increasing economic and ecological value, highlighting the need for improved seed sources through systematic tree breeding programs. This study aimed to identify superior candlenut plus trees as an initial step in tree improvement and to assess soil fertility conditions at the study site in Lau Paradep. A total of 100 candlenut trees were inventoried and evaluated based on key growth traits, including stem diameter, total height, clear bole height, and crown diameter. Data were analyzed quantitatively by calculating the average of each measured trait and then ranking them. Ten superior trees were selected as plus-tree candidates based on overall growth performance. Soil chemical properties, including pH, organic carbon, and total nitrogen, were analyzed to evaluate site suitability. The results identified ten superior candlenut trees (IDs: 21, 54, 34, 26, 37, 28, 29, 11, and 22) exhibiting higher growth performance than the population average, indicating substantial phenotypic variation within the stand. Soil analysis revealed moderate fertility, with mean organic carbon and total nitrogen contents of 2.83% and 0.35%, respectively, and a slightly acidic pH of 6.80, which is generally favorable for candlenut growth. These findings suggest that the selected plus trees, supported by suitable site conditions, provide a strong foundation for the establishment of breeding populations and the development of improved candlenut seed sources.
Institutions: Universitas Sumatera Utara, Institut Pertanian Intan
Language: English
Subfield: Forestry
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: Universitas Sumatera Utara
OpenAlex ID: W7225378564