PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE FLOWERING AND FRUITING BEHAVIORS OF NYAMPLUNG (Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.)

Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophylun Linn.) has high potential as raw material for biodiesel.Understanding reproductive growth behavior of nyamplung is important if the species want to be developed for supporting biodiesel program. This study is aiming at understanding the flowering and fruiting characteristics and their development; ripe fruit production; fruit harvesting time and seed viability of nyamplung. The study completed in 2010 in Jerowaru and Korleko (East Lombok District), and North Batukliang (Central Lombok District). The method consists of direct observation and seed germination trial. The results indicated that nyamplung has a perfect flower were both male and female reproductive organs are in a single flower. Nyamplung fruit is globose with its length from 2.5 to 3.4 and the width from 2.3 to 3.3 cm. Nyamplung flowering period was different between sites as a respond to biophysical and agro-climatic condition of the habitat. The flowering period tends to delay with the Calophyllum inophyllum increase of rainfall and this association had high correlation (97,3%). The flowering period completes within a month, while the fruiting period within 1.5 to 2.5 months.The percentages of ripe fruits at each location were 40.29% (Korleko), 36.45% (North Batukliang), and 32.78% (Jerowaru). The percentages of germinated seed