Produktivitas Aren (Arenga longipes Mogea, sp. nov.) di Desa Rumah Sumbul, Kecamatan Sibolangit, Kabupaten Deli Serdang

Abstract

Aren (Arenga longipes Mogea, sp. nov.) is one of the Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) utilized by the community in Rumah Sumbul Village, Sibolangit District, Deli Serdang Regency. Rumah Sumbul Village produces a lot of nira and tuak, but the production of palm ant sugar is still small, while palm ant sugar has a higher economic value. The moisture content of nira affects the quality of palm sugar, therefore it is necessary to know the productivity of nira. Information on palm species utilized by the community is still unknown. In addition, information on the productivity of nira and the economically valuable parts of the aren palm plant in this region has never been reported before. The purpose of this study was to identify palm species developed by the community, the utilization of palm plants that have economic value and the productivity of nira produced from palm plants in Rumah Sumbul Village, Sibolangit District, Deli Serdang Regency. Plant morphological identification was used to confirm the type of aren palm species developed by the community. Multi-benefits were identified and analyzed based on the results of in-depth interviews through questionnaires. Based on the results of morphological identification, the type of palm developed by the community is Arenga longipes Mogea, sp. nov. The productivity of nira is calculated based on daily production correlated with the morphology of the aren palm plant. The aren palm plant is also widely utilized by the community in the form of household scale uses as follows: palm roots are used as a mixture for making traditional massage oil, trunks are used as construction materials such as poles, female flowers in the form of kolang-kaling are usually used on big celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr and New Year's Day, leaves are used as animal feed and can be processed into broom sticks and palm fiber is used as a traditional water filtration system, palm fiber brooms and roofs of traditional Karo houses and nira from male flowers is processed into nira drinks, tuak and sugar. The economic value of aren palm utilization in the form of products is nira drink with a price of Rp 7,000-Rp 15,000, printed sugar with a price of Rp 5,000, aren palm ant sugar with a price of Rp 30,000 and tuak drink with a price of Rp 7,000. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that nira productivity is influenced by plant morphology, namely age, midrib, male flowers, panicle circumference, plant height and also flower height.