Together with Zuhri M., Setiawan N. N., and team, Dr. Susana Paulina Dewi and Prof. Endah Sulistyawati explored seed germination strategies of 31 woody plant species from the submontane tropical forests of West Java, Indonesia. By examining seed traits and conducting germination tests, the study revealed five germination categories: early-high, early-medium, early-low, late-low, and failed. Key seed traits—such as seed coat ratio, dormancy, mass, and coat thickness—were shown to significantly influence germination percentage and speed. Importantly, ten species, including Acer laurinum, Ficus ribes, and Phyllanthus emblica, were found to germinate successfully without special treatment. The findings highlight the potential of a trait-based selection strategy to improve direct seeding efficiency while reducing seed use in forest restoration efforts.
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Article Citation: Zuhri, M., Setiawan, N. N., Dewi, S. P., & Sulistyawati, E. (2024). Seed germination variability and its association with functional traits in submontane tropical forest species of Indonesia: recommendations for direct seeding. Forest Science and Technology, 21(1), 64–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/21580103.2024.2445255