Jurnal Kultivasi
Abstract
Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix DC.) is a leafy spice commodity widely used as a culinary ingredient, in bio-pharmaceuticals, and as a raw material for essential oil production. Despite its high demand, leaf productivity remains relatively low, highlighting the need for improved cultivation practices. A better understanding of source–sink dynamics is essential, as leaf production is strongly influenced by the balance between assimilate-producing and assimilate-consuming organs. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the source-sink capacity of kaffir lime plants of different ages as a preliminary step toward identifying cultivation strategies to enhance leaf production. The experiment was conducted at Bale Tatanen experimental field, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang. This work used a randomized complete block design with five replications and three age treatments: A = 1 year, B = 2 years, and C = 3 years. The results showed the source-to-sink ratio in 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old plants were 53:47, 50:50, and 48:52, respectively. As kaffir lime plants grow older, their source–sink balance shifts because older plants allocate assimilates more efficiently to developing organs. In this study, increasing plant age was associated with a greater capacity to develop sink organs, which in turn supports leaf expansion and overall leaf productivity.This study offers baseline information on the source–sink proportions of kaffir lime plants at different ages, providing a foundation for improving cultivation practices. The findings support better harvest timing and more accurate yield estimation to enhance planning efficiency.
Recommended Citation
Rahma, Siti Auliya; Budiarto, Rahmat; and Mubarok, Syariful
(2025)
"Analysis of source–sink organ dynamics in kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix DC.) at different plant ages,"
Jurnal Kultivasi: Vol. 24:
No.
3, Article 4.
Available at:
https://journal.unpad.ac.id/kultivasi/vol24/iss3/4