Growth Pattern, Biomass Allocation and Response of Gryptocoryne ferruginea Engler (Araceae) to Shading and Water Depth

The ecological study of Cryptocoryne ferruginea Engler was carried out at three different localities, vis. Sabal Kruin, Balai Ringin and Sungai Kerait. The growth pattern and biomass allocation of C. ferruginea were significantly varied between localities, light intensity and water depth as demonstrated by their total dry weight of both plants and leaves, leaf area and total plants in 1 m * 1 m quadrate. The leaf weight ratio (LWR), root weight ratio (RWR), leaf area ratio (LAR), rhizome weight ratio (UWR), specific leaf area (SLA), dry matter production (DMP), nett assimilation ratio (NAR) and leaf area duration (LAD) were significantly differed between light intensity and water depth. Light condition and water depth were also significantly influenced the rate of photosynthesis and light curve pattern. Twenty-seven trees species (118 individuals) were recorded at Sabal Kruin and 18 trees species from 88 individuals at Balai Ringin from five plots of 20 m x 10 m. The estimation of total above ground biomass was 94.26 ton/ha at Sabal Kruin and 128.64 ton/ha at Balai Ringin with the basal area of 1936.42 m2/ha and 2336.75 m2/ha, respectively. The estimated above ground biomass of the abandoned rubber farm at Sungai Kerait was 172.51 ton/ha. The dominant species at Sabal Kruin forest was Neonauclea synkorynes Merr. (Iv = 32.64), followed by Ptychopyxis arborea (Merr.) Airy Shaw (Iv = 22.42), Ilex cymosa Blume (Iv = 11.15), Glochidion Morale Bl. (Iv = 11.09) and Shorea seminis (de Vriese) Stooten (Iv = 10.31). However, forest at Balai Ringin was dominated by P. arborea (Iv = 45.09), followed by Baccaurea bracteata M.A. (Iv = 41.33), N. synkorynes (Iv = 35.65), Litsea nidularis Gamble (Iv = 29.48) and Aglaia rubiginosa (Hiern) Pannell (Iv = 23.23). Water pH at Balai Ringin and Sungai Kerait were both in acidic condition with pH of 5.24 and 5.11, respectively. The water temperatures were 25.5°C and 25.4°C, while the dissolved oxygen capacity were 1.36 mg/l in Balai Ringin and 2.06 mg/l at Sungai Kerait. The highest CEC (62.23 + cmol/kg) was recorded at Sabal Kruin, followed by Balai Ringin (39.79 + cmol/kg) and Sungai Kerait (19.80 + cmol/kg). Sungai Kerait have the highest percentage of clay (14.51%) compared to Sabal Kruin (9.36%) and Balai Ringin (7.59%).