RJOAS March 2025
by Susilawati, Normela Rachmawati, Eva Prihatiningtyas, Dadang Adi Setiyawan (Study Program of Forestry, Faculty of Forestry, University of Lambung Mangkurat, South Kalimantan, Indonesia)
Healthy watersheds provide ecological and economic benefits to surrounding communities, including the provision of natural resources, habitat protection, and support for the agriculture and forestry sectors. Human activities often cause damage to watersheds, including watersheds in Ambungan Village, Tanah Laut Regency. The object of this research was 3-yearold plants with avocado, cempedak, durian, jackfruit, rubber and petai. The method used in this research is systematic sampling technique. The systematic sampling technique is a sampling technique based on the order of the population numbers that have been given a serial number, which means that the placement of each measuring plot is carried out systematically with the placement of the first measuring plot randomly in the watershed rehabilitation area. Observations of plant health at the individual plant level by assessing plants by assessing the overall plants in the sample plot by paying attention to the location of damage, type of damage and level of damage. The results of this study identified a wide variety of damage, ranging from healthy to very heavy conditions. The 1,237 damaged plants consisted of 604 healthy, 456 light, 151 moderate, 23 moderately heavy, 2 heavy and 1 very heavy. There were 11 types of damage. This damage is caused by several factors but the most dominant factors are the slope of the place, the availability of fertilizer for plants and competition between plants in the area. The conclusion of this study is that the plant health value of the entire plot shows a result of 2.52 which is included in the classification of mild damage level.
Watersheds play an important role in maintaining ecosystem balance, especially in supporting water availability, maintaining soil fertility, and reducing the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Healthy watersheds provide ecological and economic benefits to surrounding communities, including the provision of natural resources, habitat protection, and support to the agriculture and forestry sectors [1]. However, damage to watersheds due to human activities, such as illegal logging, land conversion, and unsustainable agricultural practices, has led to the degradation of watershed ecosystems in various regions in Indonesia, including in Ambungan Village, Tanah Laut Regency.
Tanah Laut District, located in South Kalimantan Province, has diverse topography and soil conditions, making it an area vulnerable to land degradation and watershed damage. Ambungan Village, as one of the areas in Tanah Laut Regency, has experienced various environmental pressures that have led to a decline in environmental quality and ecological functions of the watershed. Therefore, watershed rehabilitation efforts are very important to restore ecosystem functions and improve the quality of life of communities around the area.
Watershed rehabilitation in Ambungan Village has been carried out through various planting and vegetation restoration programs. However, the success of rehabilitation is not only determined by the level of green land cover, but also by the health of the plants planted as part of the rehabilitation effort. Plant health is an important indicator in assessing the success of rehabilitation programs because healthy plants are able to adapt well to the new environment, provide protection against soil erosion, increase water infiltration, and support biodiversity.
Assessment of plant health includes various aspects, such as the morphological condition of the plant, pest and disease attacks, and the ability of the plant to survive in less than ideal environmental conditions. Healthy plants show good growth, have green and dense leaves, and have little damage from pests and diseases. Conversely, unhealthy plants show signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and susceptibility to pest and disease attacks.
Evaluation of plant health as an indicator of the success of watershed rehabilitation in Ambungan Village is highly relevant. This evaluation can provide important information on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs that have been carried out, as well as identify factors that affect plant health. By knowing the condition of plant health, local governments, communities and related parties can take appropriate steps to improve the success of watershed rehabilitation.
This research is also important in the context of sustainable natural resource management. Healthy plants not only support the ecological function of watersheds, but also provide economic benefits to communities, such as the provision of timber, fruit and other non-timber products. In addition, healthy plants can increase the carrying capacity of the environment, reduce disaster risk, and support climate change mitigation through increased carbon sequestration.
In this study, plant health evaluation will be conducted using a comprehensive approach, covering physical, biological and environmental aspects. Physical aspects include the morphological condition of the plants, such as height, stem diameter, and leaf color. Biological aspects include pest and disease attacks, as well as the presence of soil microorganisms that support plant growth. Environmental aspects include soil conditions, water availability, and climatic factors that affect plant growth.
Ambungan Village was chosen as the research site because it is one of the areas that has experienced environmental degradation due to human activities and requires sustainable rehabilitation efforts. In addition, the community in Ambungan Village is highly dependent on the natural resources around the watershed to fulfill their needs, so the success of watershed rehabilitation is very important to improve the welfare of the community.
This research is expected to make a positive contribution to watershed management in Tanah Laut Regency, particularly in improving the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs through evaluation of plant health. The results of this study are expected to be the basis for better policy making in watershed management, as well as providing practical recommendations for the community and related parties in maintaining plant health and the sustainability of watershed ecosystems.
This research was conducted in the watershed rehabilitation land of Skk Migas Medco Energy Bangkanai Limited with a total area of 47 ha located in Ambungan Village, Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province. The object of observation in this study was plants in the watershed rehabilitation land (DAS) aged 3 years. Plant types are avocado (Persea americana Mill), cempedak (Artocarpus integer), durian (Durio zibethinus), jackfruit (Artocarpus integra), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), petai (Parkia speciosa).
The research began with the determination of data sample points based on systematic sampling techniques. Systematic sampling technique is a sampling technique based on the order of the population numbers that have been given a serial number, which means that the placement of each measuring plot is done systematically with the placement of the first measuring plot done randomly [2] in the watershed rehabilitation area in Skk Migas Medco Energy Bangkanai Limited. The sampling intensity (IS) of 5% of the total area of the watershed rehabilitation area in Skk Medco Energy Bangkanai Limited using a measuring plot 40 m x 25 m (1000 m2).
Observations of plant health at the individual plant level by assessing plants by assessing all plants in the sample plot, then determining plant health status based on the Area level index (ALI) or Area Damage Index (IKA). Plant health assessment observations include the location of damage, type of damage and level of damage [3]. Damage location codes can be seen in Table 1. Damage recorded is a maximum of 3 types of damage for each plant, if a plant has more than 3 damages, then the 3 main damages are recorded, starting from the roots.
Damage type is the type of damage that appears on the plant part. Damage type indicates the abnormalities that appear on plant parts. Plant damage type categories are recorded by sequence number which shows the decreasing significance of the stands described in Table 2.
Damage severity is the number of affected areas on the plant above the threshold value of a particular location and damage type. Damage severity is classified based on the weight or value against the existing attack on the plant. Severity code shows the percentage of damage in Table 3.
Crop health data analysis is generated by measuring crop damage research by entering the appropriate Codes and Weighted Damage Index Values. Plant health assessment uses the calculation of the Tree Damage Index (IKP) and the Area Damage Index (IKA).
This method aims to provide a quantitative description of the level of damage to individual plants as well as within a certain area. Plant health levels are determined based on severity criteria [4] as shown in Table 4.
Plant health is indicated by the percentage of plant health and the presence or absence of plant disorders. Based on observations of plant health, it is described in 3 criteria: location of damage, type of damage and severity of damage.
The location of damage on the plant refers to the specific area or part of the plant where the damage or disturbance occurs, which can include leaves, stems, roots, or other parts of the plant, this information is important to determine the appropriate treatment steps to restore the condition of the plant.
Table 5 shows that the location of plant damage in the watershed Rehabilitation land area was found in almost all locations, including damage to the lower and upper parts of the stem, the upper part of the stem, the crown, the branches, the buds and buds and leaves. The plant that has the most damage to its parts is Petai, petai plants have damage from roots to leaves, but the damage is only a small amount. The most damaged plant location is at the leaf location with total damage reaching 62.19%, while the least damaged location is at the root or rootstock which amounts to 4 or 0.23%.
The location of the damage was mostly on the leaves, with all plants observed suffering damage to these parts. Other adaptations that occur in plants in stressful situations include a decrease in chlorophyll levels along with an increase in concentration. Physically, the decrease in chlorophyll levels can be observed through signs of chlorosis on the leaves that inhibit the photosynthesis process. Initially, the leaves may fade and then turn yellow with the appearance of blotches, and may eventually undergo necrosis.
Plant responses to stress can be reflected through stunted growth, which can show symptoms such as leaf tip desiccation and chlorosis resulting in abnormal cell growth [5]. Abnormal chlorophyll formation also occurs in plants that experience a decrease in total nitrogen uptake, which is a key element in chlorophyll formation, as salinity levels
increase [6]. The decrease in chlorophyll levels disrupts the photosynthesis process, which in turn affects plant growth.
Damage types in plants are different types of damage or disturbances that can affect plant health, growth and productivity. Damage types can include plant diseases, pest attacks, nutrient deficiencies, environmental stress, mechanical injury, and other factors that can harm or disrupt plants physically, physiologically, or morphologically. Damage to plants is caused by two main factors, namely biotic factors and abiotic factors [7]. The observation results of the types of damage to plants can be seen in Table 6.
Based on the data in Table 6, the type of damage mostly occurs in leaf discoloration. Cempedak plants experienced problems such as canker, open wounds, loss of shoots, and changes in leaf color. Avocado also experienced problems such as cancer, open wounds, rupture or death, excessive branches or brooms, damage to leaves or shoots, and changes in leaf color. Common problems experienced by jackfruit are excessive branches or brooms, damage to leaves or shoots, rupture or death, loss of shoots and changes in leaf color Rubber has major problems such as leaf discoloration followed by canker. The type of cancer damage is due to infection with the fungus L. theobromae which causes swelling in plant parts. L. theobromae fungus is a fungus that causes stem cancer in rubber plants [8]. The next disease is gumosis/resinosis and damage to leaves or shoots. Petai experiences problems such as open wounds, cancer, rupture or death, loss of shoots and excessive branches or brooms. Durian frequently experiences problems including open wounds, rupture or death, damage to leaves or shoots and leaf discoloration. Open wounds can occur as a result of attack by pests in the coleopteran order which can damage the skin up to the cambium [9].
Cancer is a stem growth that is out of place such as excessive lumps that appear on the stem, these lumps will break when they reach a round shape and form cracks in the plant stem. Cancer caused by the fungus L. theobromae generally occurs in rubber plants (Hevea brasiliensis) the fungus is the cause of swelling in plants [8]. Stem cancer in rubber plants is often aggravated by environmental conditions such as high humidity and temperature fluctuations between rain and heat. The fungus L. theobromae usually infects injured plant tissue, which then leads to canker formation.
Cancer makes lumps occur on the stem or branching area of the plant, causing the stem or branch of the plant to break. Plants affected by cancer with a total of 321 plants with various types and places that occur, cancer has a percentage of 18.82% of the total of all types of damage that occurs this lump will get bigger over time.
Fungal fruit growth is a parasite that is an indication of unhealthiness in a plant, fungi can grow in the air temperature range between 15 ° C-55 ° C with air humidity of 80%-90% 10]. Fungal fruit growth occurs as much as 4 or 0.23% damage. This damage occurs in open wounds of plants, open wounds cause moisture that is suitable for fungi to grow so that plants that have open wounds tend to experience fungal pest attacks which can result in damage to plant parts such as rot in the affected area as occurs in rubber plants that have been observed.
Open wounds occur on stems that can be caused by humans or animals, open wounds can cause the entry of viruses, bacteria or other pests. Generally, fungi can grow on open wounds that occur on plants that cause rotting of the stem or other parts of the plant [11]. This type of damage occurs as much as 51 or 2.99% of damage. This damage is one of the damages with the highest percentage compared to other damages. Open wounds on plants can occur on the outer bark only but can also occur on the inner bark to the sapwood and heartwood on the inside of the tree trunk that is exposed to open wounds, either wounds caused by sharp weapons or traces of natural damage that make the trunk become open wounds [12]. Open wounds are also often associated with secondary infections that exacerbate the damage, especially by pathogens such as Fusarium and Phytophthora that invade the wound tissue, while the wounds that occurred on the plants in this study area only occurred on the outer bark of the plant stem.
Gumosis or resinosis is the release of liquid at a site of damage in the form of gel-shaped Gum at the site of damage that occurs. Gumosis was found as much as 15 or 0.88% of the damage, generally found at the branching location of the plant stem The phenomenon of gumosis is often caused by the plant's response to pathogen infections such as Phytophthora spp., which infect the tissue around the wound [13]. In addition, research suggests that gumosis can also occur due to physiological stresses such as mechanical stress, as can be seen in Figure 5.
Broken stems can occur due to humans or other factors that make the skin tissue to the stem become broken which make plant growth inhibited broken stems or roots can be a place for bacteria or viruses to grow on plants. Broken stems were found as much as 1 or 0.06% damage, can be seen in Figure 6.
Loss of shoots / dead shoots were found as many as 15 or 0.88% of damage, this damage can occur due to pests such as caterpillars that eat plant leaves or due to other damage factors such as broken branches due to animals that land on branches, plants planted in this research area are almost all classified into fruit plants that mamna have fruiting flowers and seeds so that insects and birds live a lot, lost shoots or dead shoots can also be caused by damage to the stalk or stem of the plant so as to make the shoots die and the loss of leaves on the plant, the damage can be seen in Figure 7.
This type of damage occurs on the branches or shoots of plants in this study found as many as 61 or 3.58% damage. This damage can be caused by animals or humans can also be caused by the environment, animals found on dead branches are ants where these ants gnaw the trunk or branches on the plant. This damage can cause the leaves on the tree to die due to the death of the branch Damage to branches also has the potential to cause disruption of nutrient and water flow, thereby significantly affecting photosynthesis [6]. In addition, broken branches are an ideal location for pathogenic fungi to develop, which can accelerate decay Preventive measures such as pruning of damaged branches and insecticide application are often recommended in agricultural practices to reduce the impact of breakage [15]. Viral infections due to branch breakage can also provide a place for fungi to grow and multiply, the damage can be seen in Figure 8.
Brooms occur due to the irregular growth of branches on twigs, the number of branching due to the growth of young shoots that are irregular in growth. Brooms not only occur on woody plants but also on fruit trees or seasonal plants in certain seasons. This damage was found as many as 144 or 8.44% damage, the damage can be seen in Figure 9.
Damage to the leaves is an indication of pests or diseases that attack the leaves until they are damaged or die. Damage to leaves can be caused by pests or other things such as natural factors such as wind, heat or weather. Pests that commonly attack are caterpillars and grasshoppers on the leaves, pests that cause damage to the leaves are grasshoppers so that the leaves become perforated which is characterized by the presence of bite marks on the perforated leaves [16]. This damage was found as much as 10.6 or 6.21% damage, the damage can be seen in Figure 10.
Leaf discoloration is an indication that the plant is affected by the disease lack of chlorophyll in the leaves this can be due to damage to the roots of the plant. Yellowing leaves can also be caused by viral infections in plants either before or after planting in the planting area, yellow spots on plants observed are also found on leaves that experience leaves, plant damage due to viral infections can cause some damage due to the interaction of several viruses in plants. [17]. This damage was found as many as 966 or 56.62% damage; the damage can be seen in Figure 11.
Other damage here is the type of damage that is not listed in the damage table. Other damage to plants is swelling at the base of the rubber plant stem, this damage occurs as much as 21 or 1.23% of the damage can be seen in Figure 12.
Damage severity is the number of affected areas on the plant above the threshold value of a particular location and damage type. Damage severity is classified based on the weight or value of the attack on the plant. The severity of plant damage is expressed in percent. This assessment is based on the amount of damage that occurs on plants at each location and type of damage. More clearly the amount of severity at the location of damage to plant parts can be seen in Table 7.
The severity of damage in the results of this study shows that the severity varies from 1- 100% with an interval of 10. The greatest severity of damage based on table 16 occurs at 1-9% with the number of damages 649 with total damage reaching 38.04%. The highest severity was at 10-19% with 467 damages totaling 27.37%. The third severity level in the percentage of 20- 29% with the number of damages 193 with total damages reaching 11.31%. The fourth severity level is at a percentage of 30-39% with a total of 126. Severity level 40-49% with a total of 81 with total damage reaching 4.75%, severity level 60-69% with a total of 71, severity level 50- 59% with a total of 70, severity level 90-100% with a total of 24, 70-79% with a total of 14, severity level 80-89% with a total of 11.
Plant health is the condition in which plants can grow, develop and produce well in a suitable environment. This includes physical, physiological aspects and resistance to diseases, insects and environmental stress. A healthy plant has a good physical appearance, optimal physiological function and strong resistance to external disturbances. Proper care including environmental monitoring and pest control is necessary to maintain plant health and increase yields. Improved care on biotic and abiotic aspects can improve plant health according to the type of plant.
The identification of health based on the value of damage to plants in the field or area from the types of damage recorded in the observations identified a wide variety of damage, ranging from healthy to very severe conditions. Plants with a total of 1,237 damages consisted of 604 healthy, 456 light, 151 moderate, 23 moderately heavy, 2 heavy and 1 very heavy. This damage was caused by several factors but the most dominant factors were slope, availability of fertilizer for plants and competition between plants in the area.
The damage index value of the plots on the Damar Wulan Mountain shows the health of plants with an age of 1-3 years with an average damage of 2.52 with the highest damage in plot 3 with damage of 3.92, the lowest damage is found in plot 11 with a damage value of 1.49. Each plot has a different number of species. This is because each plot has a different number of plants and the number of species so that some plants can survive and some cannot.
Plant health in the watershed rehabilitation area of Skk Medco Energy Bangkanai Limited shows health that is classified as healthy. The observation of the location of the greatest damage was on the leaves with the number of damage reaching 1061 (62.19%). The most dominating type of damage is leaf discoloration with a total of 966 (56.52%). Based on the severity of damage to plants occurs in rubber plants with 1-9% severity with a total severity of 649 (38.04%).
Original paper, i.e. Figures, Tables, References, and Authors' Contacts available at http://rjoas.com/issue-2025-03/article_04.pdf