FRIM IN FOCUS

DECEMBER 2021

FRIM IN FOCUS

Highlights of This Issue Gene Bank, Herbal Planting 11 WOOD VINEGAR FOR
& Phenology Studies PRESERVATION PURPOSES
Soil Research &
Improvement 06 BANK GERMPLASMA 12 PAYA BURUNG, OUR OWN
MENYELAMATKAN LITTLE BIRD SANCTUARY
02 STUDY OF ORGANIC DEPOSIT POKOK TERANCAM
AT MANGROVE FOREST 14 NEWS
08 PENANAMAN HERBA
04 CONSERVATION OF TREE TERPILIH BERKUALITI TINGGI
SPECIES ON EX-TIN MINE SECARA SISTEM SELINGAN

05 KAJIAN PEMULIHARAAN TANAH 10 PHENOLOGY MONITORING
HUTAN PAYA GAMBUT AT THE FACE STUDY AREA
DI SELANGOR

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QUARTERLY OF THE FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA (FRIM)

Soil Research & Improvement

STUDY OF ORGANIC DEPOSIT Anak pokok periuk kera
AT MANGROVE FOREST di nurseri kultur tisu

KAJIAN MENDAPAN ORGANIK
DI HUTAN BAKAU

Rozita Ahmad

[email protected]

Nur Hafiza Abd Halim

Tanah sesai is a local name given to an organic Site with old tanah sesai,
deposit material, similar in appearance to Site without tanah sesai (top left)
the sawdust. These sawdust-like deposit are
believed to originate from materials used for Sampling of soil sediment
cleaning ships, which are carried by waves
and continuously loaded at the coastline. The Zon Penampan bagi Melindungi Persisiran Pantai
presence of tanah sesai was regarded as a Negara”. The objectives of the study were to
disturbance to the Tanjung Piai National Park, determine the effects of biochar tanah sesai on
Johor because of its acidic condition. It covered soil sediment properties, growth performance of
and prevented roots from breathing and became Rhizophora spp and its potential for planting media.
toxic to plants.
Tanjung Piai National Park, Johor is located at the
Research on tanah sesai at Tanjung Piai southern-most tip of the Peninsular Malaysia, on
National Park, Johor was carried out under a forest areas mainly comprising mangroves and
project grant entitled “Membangunkan Teknik mudflats. For the past years, the national park was
Penanaman Inovatif dan Menilai Keberkesanan facing problems due to oil spills and organic material
deposits. The fresh form of tanah sesai is acidic,

Advisors Technical Editor Editor & Writer
Dr Ismail Parlan Sarifah Kunju Ahmad Ida Suraini Abd Shukor

EDITORIAL Dr Norwati Muhammad
BOARD
FRIM in Focus (FIF) is distributed free of charge upon request. We welcome feedback on any of the FIF articles.

The Editor & Writer of FRIM In Focus Telephone : +603-6279 7501
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) E-mail : [email protected]
52109 Kepong, Selangor DE, Malaysia Website : www.frim.gov.my
Design &
Cover photo: Matang mangrove forest. Printing : Johan Interlink Sdn Bhd

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Soil Research & Improvement

1 23

1. Pouring dried tanah sesai into a pyrolyser properties, enhanced soil quality and increased
2. Preparation for plant growth study crop productivity. Similar to other biochars,
3. Measurement of height and data collection tanah sesai biochar was alkaline and helped to
increase soil pH and availability of soil nutrients
which upon degradation and decomposition, for plant uptake.
turned into a neutral state and increases the site
organic carbon concentration. It was observed Study of biochar tanah sesai won the Best Poster
that soil pH increased for old tanah sesai sites and Presentation Award during the Soil Science
influenced the availability of nutrients to plants. Conference of Malaysia (SOILS 2019) and
Height increment of Rhizophora trees from sites obtained FRIM invention disclosure ID 14/2019
with old tanah sesai was higher compared to entitled “Biochar Tanah Sesai as Planting Media
the site without organic deposits. The presence for Rhizophora apiculata as well as Preparation
of organic deposits might contribute to the Method and Application Thereof”.
increase in nutrient availability, thus enhancing
soil fertility and height increment. About the Main Author
ChM Rozita Ahmad is the Head of Soil Management
Biochar is defined-as a stable form of charcoal, Branch at the Forest Plantation Program, Forest
produced by heating biomass material through Biotechnology Division, FRIM. She is a chemist
pyrolysis process in high temperature and low and also the Head of Soil Chemistry Laboratory,
oxygen conditions. Tanah sesai collected near working on technical services in soil and plant
the jetty at Tanjung Piai National Park, Johor was testing. Her research covers heavy metals, organic
brought to FRIM for biochar preparation. The waste utilisation, nano delivery based on layered
material was oven-dried to reduce moisture, metal hydroxide, phytotoxicity of nanomaterial
placed in a pyrolyser and heated at high and controlled release formulation. Team members
temperature. The experimental plot for plant involved in this research were Dr Wan Rasidah
growth study was set up at a nursery at Tanjung Abd Kadir, Dr Siti Salwana Hashim, Mohamad
Piai. Propagules of R. apiculata were used in this Fakhri Ishak, Dr Tumirah Khadiran and Puad Elham.
study and transplanted into polybags containing The study was assisted by Mohd Yasin Nasir and
different planting media. It was observed that Muhd Amiruddin Zaini from the Tanjung Piai Johor
combination of biochar tanah sesai with mud National Park, as well as FRIM Soil Management
soil as the soil media improved the growth of and Nursery personnel who conducted field data
R. apiculata propagules at the nursery stage. collection and laboratory works.
Addition of biochar into the soil improved soil

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Soil Research & Improvement

CONSERVATION OF
TREE SPECIES ON
EX-TIN MINE

PEMULIHARAAN SPESIES POKOK
DI BEKAS LOMBONG TIMAH

Dr Ho Wai Mun

[email protected]

Tang Lai Kuen

Forest Research Institute Malaysia, Royal Forest Signs of scratching and rubbing, inflicted by wild boars, on
Department of Thailand (RFD) and Korea Forest tree stem which later peeled off the bark
Service (KFS) entered into a tripartite memorandum
of agreement in 2016. The agreement was to well on ex-tin mine area. Other than providing a
rehabilitate ex-mining areas into repositories for suitable environment and appropriate tending,
endangered forest tree species. The six-year KFS it is important to improve soil properties through
funded project was entitled “Domestication of mechanical ploughing and application of soil
Endangered, Endemic and Threatened Plant Species amendments for achieving high survival rate.
in Disturbed Terrestrial Ecosystem in Malaysia
and Thailand”. The aim was to plant at least 12 The project has lost a number of plants due to attack
endangered, endemic and threatened (EET) species by wild boars. Hopea ferruginea was particularly
in participating countries, as well as to share chosen by the animal, in which seedlings were
technologies and experiences with other countries uprooted and saplings debarked. A few other
in the region through seminars and workshops. species shared similar fate and were used as
Degraded sites measuring 6 ha from each country, rubbing post. The bark was completely rubbed off
were selected for domestication activities, and by the boar, eventually killing the plant.
subjected to a planting density of 500 stems/ha.
The Malaysian project site was located at the FRIM In addition to domestication of EET species, the
Research Station at Bidor, Perak. project catered to information sharing and capacity
The first planting was carried out in April 2017 building via workshops, seminars, publications
involving 1500 plants from 11 EET species on a 3 and cross-country visits. Until 2021, FRIM hosted
ha area of slime tailings. The species planted were two workshops, a regional seminar and a regional
Aquilaria malaccensis, Dipterocarpus chartaceus, webinar through this project. Partnership with
Dryobalanops oblongifolia, Hopea ferruginea, RFD and support from Asian Forest Cooperation
H. helferi, Neobalanocarpus heimii, Lagerstroemia Organization (AFoCO) Secretariat enabled project
langkawiensis, Palaquium maingayi, Parashorea teams from FRIM and RFD to learn from other Asian
stellata, Shorea glauca and S. sumatrana. countries. Completion of the project in mid-2022
Subsequently in 2019, another seven species will observe more than 8500 trees from 28 EET
were added, namely Dipterocarpus baudii, D. kerii, species planted in over 17 ha of ex-mining areas
D. cornutus, D. kunstleri, Dryobalanops aromatica, both in Malaysia and Thailand.
S. longisperma, S. multiflora and S. platyclados.
The second planting involved 1650 plants at an About the Main Author
adjacent area of 3.6 ha. Each tree was mapped Dr Ho Wai Mun is a research officer specialising in the
alongside regenerated trees in plots using the field of ecophysiology, with over 20 years of working
global positioning system (GPS). An additional 1 ha experience on rehabilitation and phytoremediation of
with 10 species including 1 new species, S. lepidota, heavy metals in degraded areas.
will be planted in 2021.
Tending routines such as stacking, weeding, fertilising
and watering were conducted periodically. A year
later in 2018, the endemic plant, L. langkawiensis,
recorded 100% survival rate followed by S. glauca
and H. helferi with 99% and 98% respectively. This
exciting observation indicated that endangered
and endemic rainforest trees can survive and grow

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Soil Research & Improvement

KAJIAN PEMULIHARAAN TANAH HUTAN
PAYA GAMBUT DI SELANGOR

RESEARCH ON PEAT SWAMP FOREST
CONSERVATION IN SELANGOR

Dr Jeyanny Vijayanathan

[email protected]

Mohamad Fakhri Ishak

Hutan paya gambut di Malaysia merupakan satu Kajian ini merupakan yang pertama bagi pemetaan
ekosistem unik yang mempunyai fungsi penting tanah dan pengiraan stok dan fluks karbon bagi
dalam tebatan banjir, penyenggaraan aliran tanah hutan paya gambut di negeri Selangor.
pangkalan sungai, pemeliharaan habitat flora dan Kaedah inovatif bagi pensampelan ketumpatan
fauna serta takungan karbon. Hutan paya gambut tanah organik membantu menjimatkan masa dan
di Semenanjung Malaysia dianggarkan meliputi kos. Kajian ini meraih beberapa anugerah dan
keluasan kira-kira 796,000 ha. Kebanyakan kawasan pendedahan reka cipta iaitu Anugerah Penyelidikan
paya gambut di Malaysia mempunyai tanah organik Terbaik Kumpulan 2021 (Merit), Hari Anugerah FRIM
yang berbeza sifatnya dengan tanah paya gambut 2021; pendaftaran ID bagi “Improved Peat Sampling
di negara-negara Barat. Method For Bulk Density Determination” (FRIM ID:
39/2018); pertandingan KIK: Kaedah pensampelan
Kesukaran memasuki kawasan paya gambut Ezy-BD untuk tanah gambut (Pingat Gangsa); dan
menyebabkan perolehan maklumat tentang pembentangan poster terbaik di Seminar SOILS
sifat-sifat fizikal dan kimia tanah adalah terhad. 2020 pada 6–8 Oktober 2020.
Pengambilan sampel tanah gambut yang rumit
juga menyebabkan perbezaan antara hasil kajian Pencerapan data fluks karbon tanah di Hutan Simpan Kuala
tentang stok karbon dalam tanah paya gambut. Langat (kiri), Pengukuran kedalaman profil tanah gambut
Secara keseluruhannya, kawasan paya gambut
tropika didapati berkemampuan menyimpan kira- untuk pengiraan stok karbon (kanan)
kira 88.6 Gt karbon.
Tentang Penulis Utama
Dalam penyelidikan ini, FRIM berperanan mengkaji Dr Jeyanny Vijayanathan merupakan pegawai
sifat fizikal dan kimia tanah organik, serta tekstur penyelidik kanan di Cawangan Pengurusan Tanah,
dan nutrien tanah di Hutan Simpan Raja Musa dan FRIM. Beliau mempunyai 17 tahun pengalaman
Hutan Simpan Sungai Karang, Selangor. Pengiraan dalam bidang kimia dan kesuburan tanah, dinamik
stok karbon dan fluks tanah organik dijalankan karbon, menjalankan survei dan pengurusan
di Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat, Selangor. Hasil pemakanan tumbuhan. Beliau juga merupakan Naib
kajian mendapati sekurang-kurangnya 72% (Hutan Presiden Persatuan Sains Tanah Malaysia di samping
Simpan Sungai Karang) dan 70% (Hutan Simpan ahli International Foundation of Science Alumni.
Raja Musa) terdiri daripada Siri Bayas (sangat
dalam), dengan bahan induk (parent material)
tanah liat marin bukan sulfida (non-sulfidic marine
clay). Hutan Simpan Raja Musa mempunyai tanah
gambut yang sangat dalam dengan keluasan 10%,
iaitu Siri Klias yang dipengaruhi oleh bahan induk
daripada tanah liat marin sulfida (sulfidic marine
clay).

Stok karbon untuk kawasan hutan simpan paya
gambut pada kedalaman 3.80 m di Hutan Simpan
Kuala Langat adalah 1595.88 Mg C ha−1 dan 969.89
Mg C ha−1 untuk kedalaman 1.50 m. Pembebasan
gas karbon dioksida dari tanah adalah dalam
lhtianuhgtuaknnu−n1gpuaannytau2k6gk.a5am0w–ba4us3ta.n4d3taanntCam7O.22a0nh–ap7−e13r.t1taa3nhiuatnnC−.O1 2unhtau−k1

FRIM IN FOCUS DECEMBER 2021 5

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Gene Bank

BANK GERMPLASMA MENYELAMATKAN
POKOK TERANCAM

GERMPLASM BANK CONSERVES THREATENED SPECIES

Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Shariff

[email protected]

Aini Izzati Ahmad Sohimi

Spesies terancam merujuk kepada organisma Bimbang (LC=Least Concern), Kekurangan Data
yang bilangannya semakin berkurang serta (DD=Data Deficient) dan Tidak Dinilai (NE=Not
berhadapan dengan risiko kepupusan, bagi Evaluated). FRIM menjalankan kutipan spesies
kawasan tertentu atau di seluruh dunia. terancam bagi kategori CR, EN dan VU.
Populasi spesies terancam dikawal melalui
pemuliharaan ex-situ iaitu di luar habitat asal Penubuhan bank germplasma bermula dengan
organisma. Sumber bahan genetik tumbuhan, Projek Pemantapan Bank Germplasma di bawah
atau germplasma, dikumpulkan untuk tujuan Rancangan Malaysia ke-11, iaitu bagi tahun 2017–
pemuliharaan, penyelidikan dan pembiakbakaan 2020. Projek ini mengutamakan kutipan spesies
di fasiliti arboretum, serta bank gen biji benih daripada keluarga Dipterocarpaceae. Koleksi
dan bank gen ladang. tumbuhan daripada keluarga lain turut dijalankan,
iaitu sebanyak 78 spesies.

Penubuhan bank germplasma merupakan satu Bilangan kutipan serta kategori spesies terancam
daripada kaedah memelihara dan mengekalkan direkod berdasarkan Malaysia Plant Red List.
warisan biologi. FRIM berperanan membantu Bilangan yang dicatatkan ialah 35 spesies bagi
meminimumkan hakisan dan melindungi kategori CR, EN dan VU; 19 spesies bagi kategori
kepelbagaian genetik di samping memenuhi NT; 13 spesies bagi kategori LC, 1 spesies kategori
komitmen negara, selaras dengan Dasar EX dan 10 spesies masing-masing bagi kategori DD
Kepelbagaian Biologi Kebangsaan 2016–2025. dan NE. Bilangan spesies berubah jika menggunakan
pengelasan IUCN Red List iaitu 54 bagi kategori CR,
Spesies terancam dikelaskan mengikut Senarai Merah EN dan VU; 4 spesies bagi kategori NT; 10 spesies
yang diperoleh daripada Malaysia Plant Red List bagi kategori LC; dan 10 spesies masing-masing bagi
dan IUCN Red List. Spesies terancam dikategorikan kategori DD dan NE.
kepada status seperti Pupus (EX=Extinct), Pupus
di Alam Liar (EW=Extinct in the Wild), Terancam Kutipan pada tahun 2020 berjaya menjumpai spesies
Teruk (CR=Critically Endangered), Terancam (EN= damar hitam siput besar atau Shorea kuantanensis.
Endangered), Lemah Ancaman (VU=Vulnerable),
Hampir Terancam (NT=Near Threatened), Sedikit Rumah hijau bagi melindungi spesies terancam di tapak
semaian FRIM Perlis (atas)

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Gene Bank

Spesies kategori EX ini dilaporkan pupus pada
pertengahan tahun 1960-an oleh Malaysia Plant
Red List 2010 disebabkan pembukaan ladang
kelapa sawit di kawasan Hutan Simpan Bukit Goh,
Pahang.

Projek Pengayaan Bank Germplasma bagi 1
Rancangan Malaysia ke-12 untuk spesies terancam
bermula pada tahun 2021–2025. Projek ini
menyasarkan kutipan sebanyak 100 spesies
terancam. Sejumlah 413 spesies dikenal pasti
berada dalam kategori terancam berdasarkan
carian Malaysia Biodiversity Information System
(MyBIS) dan International Union for Conservation
of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
Perancangan dan aktiviti kutipan dijalankan dengan
merujuk kepada beberapa sumber. Antara rujukan
yang digunakan ialah laporan serta pemerhatian
fenologi, maklumat daripada Jabatan Perhutanan
Negeri, maklumat dalaman FRIM, dan sumber
carian laman web yang sahih.

Kutipan dijalankan di beberapa lokasi utama 2
seperti di hutan lipur, hutan simpan dan tapak
semaian Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri. Kelulusan
menjalankan kutipan bagi tujuan pengesahan
aktiviti diperoleh daripada setiap negeri, institusi,
jabatan, badan kerajaan tempatan dan agensi yang
berkaitan.

Kutipan sebanyak 20 spesies terancam dirancang 3
untuk setiap tahun. Pengumpulan bermula pada
tahun 2021 dan dijangka berakhir pada tahun Kejayaan kutipan bahan spesies terancam
2025. Bekalan bahan tanaman seperti biji benih bergantung kepada kesediaan maklumat lokasi
dan anak liar diperoleh melalui beberapa kaedah sumber, serta kerjasama dan kelulusan, khususnya
seperti kutipan di lapangan, pertukaran bahan daripada Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri, serta pihak lain
tanaman serta melalui teknik pembiakan tampang. yang berkaitan. Turut memainkan peranan penting
Rekod aset hidup yang mencirikan bahan tanaman adalah kakitangan kompeten yang menjalankan
mengikut spesies, jenis bahan tanaman dan lokasi kutipan, penjagaan dan penyelenggaraan bahan
kawasan kutipan dibangunkan bagi rujukan masa tanaman, di samping sokongan infrastruktur.
hadapan. Pemerhatian fenologi pula adalah bagi
mengenal pasti spesies keutamaan, keadaan Tentang Penulis Utama
semasa dan pengesahan lokasi. Ahmad Fauzi Mohd Shariff ialah pegawai penyelidik
di Stesen Penyelidikan FRIM Perlis. Bidang kepakaran
Bahan tanaman yang diperoleh di kawasan kutipan beliau ialah pembiakan tampang dan teknik tapak
diproses mengikut jenis sumber seperti biji benih, semaian. Penyelidik lain yang terlibat dalam projek
anak liar, anak pokok dan bahan keratan tampang. ini ialah Dr Mohd Zaki Abdullah, Aini Izzati Ahmad
Pemprosesan dijalankan di tapak semaian Stesen Sohimi, Zainol Abu dan Zainol Ahmad.
Penyelidikan FRIM Mata Ayer yang merupakan
pusat pengumpulan koleksi spesies terancam.

1. Kutipan biji benih gerutu-gerutu (Parashorea
stellata) yang berstatus Lemah Ancaman (VU) di
Chalok, Setiu, Terengganu

2. Bahan tanaman, terutamanya anak liar, menjalani
proses penyesuaian iklim di rumah hijau

3. Damar hitam katup (Shorea balanocarpoides) yang
berstatus Terancam (EN)

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Herbal Planting

PENANAMAN HERBA
TERPILIH BERKUALITI TINGGI
SECARA SISTEM SELINGAN

CULTIVATION OF SELECTED HIGH QUALITY
HERBAL SPECIES THROUGH
INTEGRATION SYSTEM

Dr Farah Fazwa Mohd Ariff

[email protected]

Syafiqah Nabilah Samsul Bahari

Program Malaysia Social Innovation (MySI) Ahli KPRFGB bersama-sama pokok elit
diperkenalkan sejak tahun 2015 oleh kacip fatimah yang telah ditanam
Kementerian Sains, Teknologi dan Inovasi bagi
menyediakan platform pemindahan teknologi
serta inovasi bagi agensi atau syarikat berkaitan
kerajaan. Program ini merupakan inisiatif
penjanaan pendapatan bagi meningkatkan
kesejahteraan khususnya bagi golongan B40
dalam dan luar bandar. Inisiatif ini juga bertujuan
untuk mengaplikasikan penggunaan teknologi
bagi memenuhi keperluan masyarakat.

Pada 17 September 2020, FRIM berjaya memperoleh Inovasi yang diketengahkan di dalam projek ini
dana Program MySI yang bernilai RM260,000. ialah dua spesies herba iaitu baka elit kacip fatimah
Melalui dana tersebut, kumpulan penyelidik dan baka superior limau kasturi, hasil daripada
daripada Cawangan Membaik Biak Herba dan R&D FRIM yang dijalankan sejak tahun 2009.
Pokok (MHP) telah memperkenalkan pendekatan Klon elit kacip fatimah (Labisia pumila var. alata)
baharu melalui projek penanaman herba terpilih mempunyai ciri morfologi yang unggul (superior).
secara sistem selingan bagi penghasilan produk Hasil serta jumlah kandungan fenolik klon elit ini
berkualiti tinggi. lebih tinggi jika dibandingkan dengan pokok liar.

Peserta program yang diadakan pada 6–9 April 2021 di Serting Ulu, Negeri Sembilan

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Herbal Planting

Bengkel pemindahan teknologi bagi teknik pembiakan, penanaman,
penjagaan, penyelenggaraan dan penuaian herba

Linalool merupakan sebatian kimia yang bermanfaat
bagi industri minyak pati. Klon superior limau kasturi
yang dipilih bagi projek ini mempunyai kandungan
linalool yang tinggi. Kacip fatimah dan limau kasturi
ditanam secara selingan bersama-sama serai makan.
Sebatian yang dihasilkan daripada tanaman projek
ini berkualiti tinggi dan akan diproses menjadi
suplemen kesihatan, minyak pati serta produk
makanan dan minuman.

Projek ini diusahakan melalui konsep peladangan Program pemindahan teknologi telah diadakan
kontrak. Penerima manfaat, iaitu ahli Koperasi pada 6–9 April 2021 dan dirasmikan oleh Timbalan
Peserta-Peserta Rancangan FELCRA Gugusan Ketua Pengarah (Penyelidikan) FRIM, Dr Norwati
Bayai Jempol Berhad (KPRFGB) bertanggungjawab Muhammad. Para jemputan terdiri daripada
menanam herba di bawah seliaan dan bimbingan Pengerusi KPRFGB, Zainudin Kalam dan Pengurus
FRIM. Projek ini membangunkan sebuah ladang Besar Pengurusan Institusi Peserta FELCRA Berhad,
seluas satu hektar di Serting Ulu, Negeri Sembilan. Zainul Haji Anzaid. Program pemindahan teknologi ini
Penanaman sebanyak 23 ribu pokok kacip fatimah, diadakan bagi membimbing ahli KPRFGB agar mahir
1600 pokok limau kasturi dan 6600 rumpun serai dalam teknik-teknik pembiakan hingga ke peringkat
dijalankan secara bergotong-royong oleh penerima tuaian herba. Kumpulan penyelidik MHP membuat
manfaat. pemantauan secara berkala bagi memastikan projek
dilaksana dengan baik. FRIM berharap hasil R&D yang
Ladang projek di Serting Ulu bakal dilengkapi dibangunkan dapat meningkatkan kesejahteraan
kemudahan seperti rumah teduhan, batas semaian, hidup masyarakat sebagai penerima manfaat.
stor baja dan peralatan bagi penyulingan minyak
pati. Melalui konsep penanaman secara selingan, Maklumat Penulis Utama
penerima manfaat berupaya menjana pendapatan Dr Farah Fazwa Md Ariff merupakan pegawai
yang berterusan. Ini adalah kerana tanaman yang penyelidik kanan dalam bidang pembaikbiakan
terlibat matang dalam tempoh yang berbeza dan tumbuhan. Beliau mempunyai 19 tahun pengalaman
dituai secara berperingkat. Serai makan merupakan dalam pemilihan bahan tanaman berkualiti tinggi
tuaian jangka pendek, manakala kacip fatimah dan bagi industri herba. Projek ini turut dianggotai oleh
limau kasturi, masing-masing melibatkan tuaian Syafiqah Nabilah Samsul Bahari dan Norhayati Saffie.
jangka sederhana dan panjang. Hasil tuaian dijual
kepada syarikat-syarikat tempatan yang telah dikenal
pasti.

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Phenology Studies

PHENOLOGY
MONITORING
AT THE FACE
STUDY AREA

PEMANTAUAN FENOLOGI
DI KAWASAN KAJIAN FACE

Nadiah Salmi Nadzri

[email protected]

Nashatul Zaimah Noor Azman

Forest ecosystem is generally regarded
as carbon absorption and storage areas,
and plays a crucial role in stabilising the
atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. In
turn, forest is an important factor in mitigation
and adaptation to climate change.

Numerous experimental studies conducted to tree
evaluate plant response to increased atmospheric
carbon dioxide were mostly for temperate forest Monitoring of Dipterocarpus baudii (keruing bulu). A
and crops. To address gaps in data for tropical responsive dipterocarp tree in the FACE site
forest, especially for Malaysia, FRIM, in 2017
established a forest Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Timber trees have a longer physiology cycle,
Enrichment (FACE) research facility at Tekam, especially dipterocarps, which was around
Pahang. Known as TekamFACE, the facility hosts three to 10 years interval. Significant results for
an effective system for studying the ecosystem phenology study may be acquired after 10 years
in response to the expected rise in atmospheric of monitoring. The initial results from the three-
carbon dioxide in the future. year-observation may provide plausible trend
of how tropical timber and field‐grown trees
Phenology involves monitoring and observing respond to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide in
plant development, particularly for flower and their native environments.
fruit formation within the environmental factors
that influence plant physiology. TekamFACE About the Main Author
allows phenological observation, particularly the Nadiah Salmi Nadzri is a biotechnologist at the Seed
effects of elevated carbon dioxide on tropical Laboratory, Forestry Biotechnology Division, FRIM.
timber trees, under natural forest conditions and Her areas of research include seed technology and
without enclosure. conservation, cryopreservation, phenology and seed
quality testing.
Selected mother trees monitored via a large‐scale
FACE experiment were found to release 480–800
ppm carbon dioxide. The study showed flowering
and fruiting frequencies of selected mother trees
at FACE site were more responsive to elevated
carbon dioxide exposure during the first few
years. When exposed for longer periods, certain
tree species may down-regulate or acclimate.

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Forest Products

WOOD VINEGAR
FOR PRESERVATION
PURPOSES

CUKA KAYU UNTUK TUJUAN
PENGAWETAN

Dr Roszaini Kadir

[email protected]

Dr Mahanim Sarif @ Mohd Ali

Wood vinegar has been used as preservatives in Woody biomass materials for charcoal and
agriculture and wood industry as early as 2000 years wood vinegar production
ago in ancient China, Egypt, Greece and India. Wood
vinegar is a by-product of the charcoal production as wood extractives or by-products from wood
process that uses high temperatures in the absence processing industry are used as alternative wood
of oxygen in a process called pyrolysis. Smoke emitted preservative.
from the funnel of the charcoal combustion chamber
will cool and turn into a blackish liquid. This liquid The effectiveness of various uses of wood vinegar
is called wood vinegar, also known as pyroligneous depends on the richness of its chemical compositions
acid or liquid smoke. It contains more than 200 such as organic acids, alkanes, carbonyl, and various
water-soluble chemical components comprising kinds of phenols, alcohols, formaldehyde, esters and
80–90% water and 10–20% organic compounds. tars. Combination of these chemical compounds is
Quality of vinegar from the pyrolysis process differs the recipe for successful control of tree diseases, in
in terms of chemical content and other properties, addition to the presence of good bacteria that assist
depending on the chemical composition of the tree tree root development.
or materials used. The quality of wood vinegar also
increases with storage. Laboratory tests conducted at FRIM showed that
wood vinegar from jelutung (Dyera costulata), a
Wood preservatives used nowadays are mainly plantation tree, was effective as wood preservative.
manufactured from synthetic chemicals. The impact Wood vinegar was produced at three different
of synthetic preservatives is less favourable on the temperature levels and tested at five different
environment because of the non-biodegradable concentrations against subterranean termites,
nature of these chemicals. To reduce the negative Coptotermes curvignathus. Wood vinegar in high
impact, environmentally friendly products such concentrations were shown to totally eliminate the
termites. Other studies concluded that wood vinegar
from Rhizophora sp, Eucalyptus sp, Vitex pubescens,
Toona sinensis and oil palm trunk had high
termiticidal activities against subterranean termites
when applied to rubberwood. Application of wood
vinegar from woody plant sources also increased the
rate of seed germination and seedling growth. With
these favourable results, more research is urgently
needed to improve the application of wood vinegar
in wood protection.

Application methods using wood vinegar About the Main Author
as natural wood preservatives against termites: Dr Roszaini Kadir is the Head of the Wood Entomology
Laboratory, Forest Products Division, FRIM. She
spraying (top) and brushing (bottom) obtained her Bachelor and Masters Science Degrees
from Universiti Putra Malaysia. She holds a Doctor
of Philosophy degree from Bangor University, United
Kingdom. The author has served FRIM since 1993 and
her research areas include non-wood forest products,
natural durability of wood and antitermitic properties
from natural products.

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Biodiversity

PAYA BURUNG,
OUR OWN LITTLE
BIRD SANCTUARY

PAYA BURUNG,
SUAKA KECIL BURUNG KITA

Norsham Yaakob

[email protected]

Paya Burung is an eight acre of wetland, A solitary Purple Heron was seen
located alongside Jalan Kapur, FRIM. The taking a rest in May 2021
wetland was formerly a tin mining pool
with surrounding vegetable gardens. Water Lesser Fish Eagle looking down on the
quality of Paya Burung falls under Class III water of Paya Burung
which requires more advanced treatment
system for human consumption. The water in particular bird watching. It was estimated that
body however, provides a conducive habitat the average package price per person for birding
for many aquatic plants, fishes, insects, activities was RM6500 and Tourism Malaysia
frogs and birds, as well as for predators such expected revenue generated from birdwatching
as birds of prey, monitor lizards, otters and to reach RM36.8 million. FRIM was listed on the
macaques that hunt and forage. Its location website as one of the bird spots for Selangor. Bird
fringing the Fruit Tree Arboretum, FRIM species listed for FRIM on the website are five
nursery and a plantation plot, offers shades, hornbill species, ten woodpecker species, five
seclusion, cover, microhabitats and canopy broadbill species, six barbets species, two trogons
for many animals. species, 16 bulbuls species, Wallace’s Hawk Eagle,
Crested Goshawk, Jambu Fruit-Dove, Indian Cuckoo,
Bird watching is a form of wildlife observation Asian Fairy Bluebird and Masked Finfoot.
in their natural habitat and can be taken up as
a hobby or for leisure. Birding involves finding,
observing and identifying birds for educational
and enjoyment purposes. Birdwatching tourism
are offered via three specialist niches namely,
casual, enthusiastic and hardcore birdings. Tour
operators are usually able to cater to the needs
of casual and enthusiastic birders, as these
groups have a wider range of interest other than
birding alone, and are usually more receptive to
viewing any other bird species. Hardcore birders
however are very knowledgeable and have
specific demands, for example what species of
bird that they require for observation.

In 2019, the Bird Malaysia website,
www.birdsmalaysia.my was launched by the
Ministry of Tourisms, Arts and Culture, as an
online platform for local birding operators to
showcase and promote ecotourism packages,

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White-Throated Kingfisher is commonly seen Biodiversity
throughout the campus. This individual was
sighted at Paya Burung capturing a praying In December 2004, Paya Burung was swamped
by local and international birders and naturalists
mantis for its breakfast to catch a glimpse of a juvenile male Masked
The attractive Red and Black Broadbill is another Finfoot and later in Jan 2005, its adult female.
No sightings was recorded since but the event
regular bird frequenting Paya Burung remained a highlight for many birders till now.
The Masked Finfoot is among Asia’s most
threatened waterbirds, classified as Critically
Endangered by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and was recently
suggested to be at the brink of extinction by
experts.

To date, about 62 birds species are recorded at
Paya Burung. The most common birds found
are White-throated Kingfisher, Pacific Swallow,
Blue-tailed Bee Eater, Black-Naped Oriole,
White-Breasted Waterhen, Yellow-Vented
Bulbul, Magpie Robin, Philippine Glossy Starling,
Common Myna, Grey-Breasted Spiderhunter,
Zebra Dove, Spotted Dove and Black-Red
Broadbill. In May 2021, a solitary Purple Heron,
a winter visitor was spotted a few times on
top of the tree canopy of the small island in
the middle of Paya Burung. A male Lesser Fish
Eagle was often spotted at Paya Burung from
July to October 2021. The number of bird
species recorded at FRIM are 186, of which
12 are globally threatened species. Migratory
birds have started to arrive in Malaysia from
October this year. FRIM must ensure that our
Paya Burung remains a safe place to stop and
rest before continuing their journey, particularly
for migratory birds. Paya Burung indeed is our
own little bird sanctuary and may serve as an
important bird site for Malaysia.

Black-Napped Oriole is readily heard due to its loud About the Author
vocalisation and its bright yellow body made it Norsham Yaakob is the head of Ecotourism Branch,
easier to spot Ecotourism and Urban Forestry Program, FRIM. Her
research areas include arboriculture, animal and plant
food chain relationship, plant conservation, snakebite
envenoming management, environmental education
and sustainable ecotourism.

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NEWS

PUSAT PEMBERIAN VAKSIN
DI DEWAN ALWY

VACCINE ADMINISTRATION CENTRES AT DEWAN ALWY

Suharti Samod

[email protected]

Liza Ismail

Dewan Alwy, Jabatan Perhutanan Malaysia Ogos 2021 oleh PKD Gombak merupakan mereka
(JPSM) yang terletak di kampus FRIM telah yang berumur 18 tahun ke atas, yang meliputi
dipilih oleh Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah (PKD) 640,000 populasi penduduk di daerah Gombak.
Gombak sebagai Pusat Pemberian Vaksin (PPV)
bagi daerah Gombak. Pemilihan ini dibuat Pelbagai cabaran dihadapi antaranya ialah bekalan
berdasarkan beberapa faktor seperti kesesuaian air, elektrik dan internet yang kurang stabil, di
lokasi, serta dewan dan kawasan tempat letak samping kesesakan laluan keluar masuk FRIM.
kereta yang luas bagi menempatkan khemah. Masalah kawasan letak kenderaan yang terhad
Status kampus FRIM sebagai Tapak Warisan dan pertindanan laluan dengan penduduk dan
Kebangsaan yang diperoleh sejak tahun 2012 komuniti setempat turut diberikan perhatian.
juga menyumbang kepada pemilihan lokasi ini. Hasil perbincangan, usaha dan kerjasama pihak
Daripada tiga lokasi yang disenarai pendek, yang terlibat, uji cuba yang dijalankan pada 2 April
Dewan Alwy, Bahagian Latihan Perhutanan (BLP) 2021 dan proses pemberian vaksin COVID-19 yang
Kepong telah dipilih bagi pelaksanaan Program selanjutnya dilaksana dengan baik.
Imunisasi COVID-19 Kebangsaan.
PPV Gombak atau lebih dikenali sebagai PPV Dewan
PKD Gombak dan Pejabat Tanah dan Galian Daerah Alwy mula beroperasi secara rasmi pada 26 April
Gombak merupakan agensi peneraju utama dalam 2021 dan ditutup sepenuhnya pada 21 Ogos 2021.
pengurusan PPV. Selain daripada BLP dan FRIM, Banyak pihak termasuk warga FRIM, komuniti
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, Polis Diraja dalaman dan di sekitar mendapat manfaat daripada
Malaysia, Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia, pewujudan PPV ini. Pada 11 Ogos 2021, FRIM
Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia, Majlis Perbandaran menghadiahkan produk Ciera Eco Friendly Multi-
Selayang, Syarikat Air Selangor, TM Malaysia dan Purpose Disinfectant Spray kepada petugas yang
Tenaga Nasional Berhad turut terlibat dalam terlibat dalam pengoperasian PPV Dewan Alwy.
pengurusan PPV Gombak. Sumbangan tersebut sedikit sebanyak berfungsi
menyuntik semangat dan sebagai tanda sokongan
Gerak kerja bermula dengan mesyuarat penyelarasan FRIM kepada sebahagian petugas barisan hadapan
pada 5 Mac 2021 diikuti oleh sesi lawatan tapak pada kesihatan yang bertungkus lumus dalam mendepani
9 Mac 2021. Sasaran pemberian vaksin sehingga 31 wabak COVID-19 di Malaysia. Harapan kita semua
adalah agar wabak COVID-19 segera luput dan
kehidupan dapat diteruskan seperti sediakala.

Petugas barisan hadapan kesihatan bersama-sama KP dan warga FRIM

14 FRIM IN FOCUS DECEMBER 2021

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NEWS

FRIM MENANG ANUGERAH

INOVASI PIHAK BERKUASA
TEMPATAN

4 Disember 2021—Formulasi ‘Aedes Bio Based Pemenang tempat pertama Pertandingan
Fuel’ (ABBF) hasil projek kerjasama FRIM dan Majlis Piala Inovasi Menteri Perumahan
Perbandaran Sepang (MPSepang) mendapat tempat dan Kerajaan Tempatan
pertama pada Pertandingan Piala Inovasi Menteri
Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan (KPKT) anjuran
Persatuan Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Malaysia.
ABBF merupakan hasil kerjasama R&D FRIM dengan
MPSepang sejak 2015.

ANUGERAH KECEMERLANGAN q Makmal Kimia Tanah bagi kali ke-16 dan ke-17
MAKMAL IKM untuk pengujian analisis tanah dan tumbuhan.

3 Disember 2021—FRIM terima empat Anugerah Penerima Anugerah Kecemerlangan Makmal Institut Kimia
Kecemerlangan Makmal Institut Kimia Malaysia Malaysia dengan sijil masing-masing
(IKM) di majlis Malam Kimia dan Penyampaian
Anugerah IKM 2020 & 2021.
Anugerah yang diterima:
l Anugerah IKM Laboratory Excellence Diamond

Award 2021 bagi Makmal Analisis Awetan Kayu
atas kejayaan mengekalkan kecemerlangan dalam
pengujian kayu berawet dan bahan awet kayu
selama 25 tahun berturut-turut.
l Anugerah IKM Laboratory Excellence Award 2020
dan 2021 bagi;
q MAAK (kali ke-25 dan ke-26).
q Makmal Ujian Komposit Kayu bagi kali ke-

17 dan ke-18 untuk pengujian penentuan
pembebasan formaldehid daripada produk
panel berasaskan kayu.

POSTER TERBAIK DI PERSIDANGAN oleh Yanti Abdul Kadir mendapat tempat kedua.
ANTARABANGSA WOBIC2021 Para penyelidik FRIM yang turut membentangkan
hasil penyelidikan mereka ialah Dr Tumirah Kadiran,
23 November 2021—FRIM mendapat tempat Dr Mohamad Khairun Anwar Uyup, Dr Shahlinney
pertama dan kedua anugerah poster terbaik di Lipeh dan Noor Azrieda Abd Rashid.
persidangan ‘5th Wood and Biofibre International
Conference (WOBIC2021). Persidangan ini Sijil poster terbaik WOBIC 2021
berlangsung secara maya pada 23–24 November
2021. Pembentangan oleh Dr Roszaini Kadir
yang bertajuk “Introduction of A Biocide Into
Bionanoparticle for Rubberwood Preservation”
mendapat tempat pertama manakala poster
bertajuk “Physical and Mechanical Properties of
Meranti Temak Nipis (Shorea roxburhgii) Part 2”

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A QUARTERLY OF THE FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA (FRIM)

News Nyamuk Aedes. Penyelidik: Shaharuddin Hashim,
Siti Nur Ridhwah Muhammad Ramli, Ahmad Sharafi
EKSPO R&D, INOVASI SELANGOR Othman dan Shamsuri Mohd Som.

22 November 2021—FRIM menangi dua FRIM menangi dua anugerah di Ekspo Penyelidikan,
anugerah di Ekspo Penyelidikan, Pembangunan Pembangunan dan Inovasi Selangor 2021
dan Inovasi Selangor 2021 (Selangor R&D and
Innovation Expo, SRIE) pada 18–21 November di
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). Empat
reka cipta FRIM di bawah kategori R&D telah
memenangi:
l Tempat Kedua (Kluster Sains Hayat) bagi inovasi
‘Cleanse, Spray, Repel: Three in One Wonder
Spray’. Penyelidik: Dr Mastura Mohtar, Nature
Profusion Sdn Bhd, Dr Saiful Azmi Johari, Mazurah
Mohd Isa dan Hanan Abdul Wahab
l Tempat Ketiga (Kluster Mesin dan Peralatan)
bagi Bahan Api Mesra Alam (GFC) untuk Kawalan

‘UNESCO SULTAN QABOOS Pemenang Anugerah UNESCO Sultan Qaboos 2021 untuk
PRIZE’ BAGI PEMULIHARAAN Pemuliharaan Alam Sekitar
ALAM SEKITAR
MALAYSIA BOOK OF RECORDS
17 November 2021—FRIM menerima Anugerah
UNESCO Sultan Qaboos 2021 untuk Pemuliharaan 1 November 2021—FRIM menerima satu lagi sijil
Alam Sekitar bersama-sama dengan Universidad pengiktirafan Malaysia Book of Records (MBR),
para la Cooperacion internacional (UCI), Costa kali ini untuk ‘Largest Ex-Situ Collection of Isolated
Rica. Anugerah yang diterima oleh Ketua Actinobacteria’. Kajian ini dijalankan oleh Dr Getha
Pengarah FRIM, Dr Ismail Parlan, merupakan bersama-sama pasukannya daripada MPB. Sijil
pengiktirafan terhadap sumbangan cemerlang pengiktirafan disampaikan oleh Jwan Heah, Pengarah
dalam pengurusan atau pemuliharaan alam Pemasaran MBR kepada Dr Ismail Parlan, Ketua
sekitar, yang selaras matlamat Pertubuhan Pengarah FRIM. Pengiktirafan MBR ini merupakan
Pendidikan, Saintifik dan Kebudayaan Pertubuhan yang ke-45 diterima oleh FRIM.
Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (UNESCO). Diwujudkan
32 tahun lalu melalui sumbangan dana daripada
Sultan Qaboos Said Al-Said dari Oman, hadiah ini
diberikan setiap dua tahun.

Ketua Pengarah FRIM (kanan) menerima sijil
Malaysia Book of Records

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