Improvement of agricultural practices

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 115 views

Inventory and Identification of Mangosteen Plants Types (Garcinia Mangostana L.) in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra

Mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana L.) is one of the native Indonesian fruits that is famous for its sweetness and delicacy, and has enormous export potential. However, as the age of mangosteen plants in the community plantations that have reached decades, the fulfillment of the needs of mangosteen exports is now threatened. This study aims to inventory and identify morphological characteristics of mangosteen plants, as well as function as conservation materials in several districts in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra Province.

Background and Significance of the Study

Mangosteen is a tropical fruit that is widely cultivated in Indonesia, particularly in the provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Lampung. The fruit is known for its soft, white interior and sweet, slightly sour taste. Mangosteen is not only a delicious fruit, but also has various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. The fruit is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a popular choice among health-conscious consumers.

However, despite its popularity, mangosteen production in Indonesia is facing several challenges, including the lack of high-quality planting materials, inadequate agricultural practices, and limited market access. The age of mangosteen plants in community plantations has reached decades, and the fulfillment of the needs of mangosteen exports is now threatened. Therefore, this study aims to inventory and identify morphological characteristics of mangosteen plants, as well as function as conservation materials in several districts in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra Province.

Methodology

This study was conducted in three districts, namely Sei Bingai, completed, and Bahorok, during the period October 2018 to August 2019. The method used in this study was a survey, with reference to the mangosteen descriptor guide from IPGRI. In this study, an accidental sampling technique was carried out. A total of 34 characters were studied, which includes plant descriptions, leaf descriptions, flower descriptions, fruit descriptions, and seed descriptions.

Results

The results of the analysis showed that the closest kinship was found between N17 and N20 with a Dissimilarity value of 10,372, of which both had the same 21 characters. Meanwhile, the farthest kinship was found between N1 and N24 with a dissimilarity value of 1775,057, which only had the same 13 characters.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

In the context of agriculture and conservation, research on mangosteen plants is very important, especially given the great potential of this fruit in the international market. Mangosteen is known not only as a delicious fruit, but also has various health benefits. Therefore, the identification and inventory of mangosteen varieties in certain areas is very valuable to maintain biodiversity and product quality that can be exported.

This inventory process not only provides data on the physical characteristics of plants, but also strengthens conservation efforts by documenting the existence of various mangosteen varieties. This is important to maintain genetic resources, given the many endangered plant varieties due to climate change and less sustainable agricultural practices.

In terms of economic, increasing understanding of the characteristics of mangosteen morphology will help farmers in choosing superior varieties that can provide optimal results. Thus, this research is not just documentation, but also a first step to encourage increased productivity and sustainability of the mangosteen agricultural industry in Indonesia.

Conclusion

By utilizing the results of this study, strategic steps can be taken to maintain and develop mangosteen plants, so that export potential can be met, and at the same time, environmental sustainability is maintained. Given the increasingly competitive global market trends, it is important for farmers and stakeholders to continue to innovate and improve the quality of their products.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Development of high-quality planting materials: The development of high-quality planting materials is essential to improve the productivity and sustainability of the mangosteen agricultural industry in Indonesia.
Improvement of agricultural practices: The improvement of agricultural practices, such as irrigation, fertilization, and pest management, is necessary to increase the yield and quality of mangosteen fruits.
Market access and trade: The improvement of market access and trade is essential to increase the export potential of mangosteen fruits in Indonesia.
Conservation of genetic resources: The conservation of genetic resources is necessary to maintain biodiversity and product quality that can be exported.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Genetic analysis: Genetic analysis of mangosteen plants is necessary to understand the genetic diversity and relationships among different varieties.
Breeding program: A breeding program is necessary to develop high-quality planting materials that can provide optimal results.
Sustainability of mangosteen agricultural industry: The sustainability of the mangosteen agricultural industry is essential to maintain environmental sustainability and meet the increasing demand for mangosteen fruits.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Limited sample size: The sample size of this study is limited, which may not be representative of the entire population of mangosteen plants in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra Province.
Limited data collection: The data collection in this study is limited to morphological characteristics of mangosteen plants, which may not be sufficient to understand the genetic diversity and relationships among different varieties.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study aims to inventory and identify morphological characteristics of mangosteen plants, as well as function as conservation materials in several districts in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra Province. The results of this study show that the closest kinship was found between N17 and N20 with a Dissimilarity value of 10,372, of which both had the same 21 characters. Meanwhile, the farthest kinship was found between N1 and N24 with a dissimilarity value of 1775,057, which only had the same 13 characters. This study provides valuable information for farmers, stakeholders, and policymakers to maintain and develop mangosteen plants, so that export potential can be met, and at the same time, environmental sustainability is maintained.
Q&A: Inventory and Identification of Mangosteen Plants Types (Garcinia Mangostana L.) in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra

Q: What is mangosteen and why is it important?

A: Mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana L.) is a tropical fruit that is widely cultivated in Indonesia, particularly in the provinces of North Sumatra, West Sumatra, and Lampung. The fruit is known for its soft, white interior and sweet, slightly sour taste. Mangosteen is not only a delicious fruit, but also has various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Q: What are the challenges facing mangosteen production in Indonesia?

A: Despite its popularity, mangosteen production in Indonesia is facing several challenges, including the lack of high-quality planting materials, inadequate agricultural practices, and limited market access. The age of mangosteen plants in community plantations has reached decades, and the fulfillment of the needs of mangosteen exports is now threatened.

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: This study aims to inventory and identify morphological characteristics of mangosteen plants, as well as function as conservation materials in several districts in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra Province. The study aims to provide valuable information for farmers, stakeholders, and policymakers to maintain and develop mangosteen plants, so that export potential can be met, and at the same time, environmental sustainability is maintained.

Q: What methods were used in this study?

A: The method used in this study was a survey, with reference to the mangosteen descriptor guide from IPGRI. In this study, an accidental sampling technique was carried out. A total of 34 characters were studied, which includes plant descriptions, leaf descriptions, flower descriptions, fruit descriptions, and seed descriptions.

Q: What were the results of the analysis?

A: The results of the analysis showed that the closest kinship was found between N17 and N20 with a Dissimilarity value of 10,372, of which both had the same 21 characters. Meanwhile, the farthest kinship was found between N1 and N24 with a dissimilarity value of 1775,057, which only had the same 13 characters.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: This study provides valuable information for farmers, stakeholders, and policymakers to maintain and develop mangosteen plants, so that export potential can be met, and at the same time, environmental sustainability is maintained. The study also highlights the importance of conservation of genetic resources to maintain biodiversity and product quality that can be exported.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Development of high-quality planting materials: The development of high-quality planting materials is essential to improve the productivity and sustainability of the mangosteen agricultural industry in Indonesia.
Improvement of agricultural practices: The improvement of agricultural practices, such as irrigation, fertilization, and pest management, is necessary to increase the yield and quality of mangosteen fruits.
Market access and trade: The improvement of market access and trade is essential to increase the export potential of mangosteen fruits in Indonesia.
Conservation of genetic resources: The conservation of genetic resources is necessary to maintain biodiversity and product quality that can be exported.

Q: What are the future research directions of this study?

A: Future research directions include:

Genetic analysis: Genetic analysis of mangosteen plants is necessary to understand the genetic diversity and relationships among different varieties.
Breeding program: A breeding program is necessary to develop high-quality planting materials that can provide optimal results.
Sustainability of mangosteen agricultural industry: The sustainability of the mangosteen agricultural industry is essential to maintain environmental sustainability and meet the increasing demand for mangosteen fruits.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Limited sample size: The sample size of this study is limited, which may not be representative of the entire population of mangosteen plants in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra Province.
Limited data collection: The data collection in this study is limited to morphological characteristics of mangosteen plants, which may not be sufficient to understand the genetic diversity and relationships among different varieties.

Q: What are the conclusions of this study?

A: In conclusion, this study aims to inventory and identify morphological characteristics of mangosteen plants, as well as function as conservation materials in several districts in Langkat Regency, Hulu, North Sumatra Province. The results of this study show that the closest kinship was found between N17 and N20 with a Dissimilarity value of 10,372, of which both had the same 21 characters. Meanwhile, the farthest kinship was found between N1 and N24 with a dissimilarity value of 1775,057, which only had the same 13 characters. This study provides valuable information for farmers, stakeholders, and policymakers to maintain and develop mangosteen plants, so that export potential can be met, and at the same time, environmental sustainability is maintained.