Application of Principal Component Analysis in distinguishing three species of 'jernang' (Daemonorops spp.)

The province of Aceh at the northern tip of Sumatra has a total area of 5,75 million hectares. Its forest resources are considerably extensive as 60 of its total land area is still considered as 'forest area'. Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) are defined as any wild plant and animal products harvested from forests, e.g., 'jernang' or dragon blood (Daemonorops spp.). It is classified as one of the valuable NTFP's harvested from the forests in Aceh. Its morphological features resemble that of rattan (Calamus spp.), both of which belong to Aracaceae. The red resin of Daemonorops spp. is highly valued in Chinese medicine and possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-hemostatic properties. Almost 112 species of Daemonorops spp. exist. However, only 10 produces the red resin. Daemonorops draco, D. mattanensis, D. didymophylla are considered to have significant economic values. Over the past decade, a farmer living in central and western Aceh has cultivated dragon blood plants in small farms and sold the seedlings. In this study, the morphological variations of dragon blood (N=11) from Kuta Panang in central Aceh were assessed, and the Principal Component Analyses (PCA) were applied in order to distinguish the three species. Up to 92 of total variations were significantly explained with PC1, while the remaining were explained with PC2. Among the three species measured with PCA, Daemonorops draco or known as super 'jernang', appeared to have more distinctive morphological characteristics, e.g., fruit-, and stem diameter, as well as a number of fruit per trunk. These characteristics would contribute to better yield and field performance.