I-MHERE FACULTY OF BIOLOGY

INDONESIA-MANAGING HIGHER EDUCATION UNIVERSITAS GADJAH

MADA
FOR RELEVANCE AND EFFICIENCY

The Use of Comfort Index for Assessing the Suitability of Endemic Orchids
(Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume Forma Pelaihari) in South Kalimantan1
By
Gusti Rusmayadi2, Rodinah2, Issirep Sumardi3, Heri Sujadmiko3, and
Endah Wahyuni Kuswidyosusanti4
BACKGROUND
This study was aimed to make and evaluate the use of Comfort Index for
assessing the suitability of a region for endemic orchid, (Phalaenopsis
amabilis (L.) Blume Forma Pelaihari) in South Kalimantan.
METODOLOGY
The study was conducted at three
locations that have different region and
climate conditions. Orchids characteristic
(Phalaen opsis amabilis (L.) Blume
Forma Pelaihari) likes flower
quantity per plant, length period
times of blossom and sum of fruit
data were collected based on
interview with farmer and field
observation. The
correlation between
orchid characteristic agronomy and climate
are analysis with partial least square (PLS) regression method. Then,
Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) or Comfort Index (IK) is expressed in
function climate (UK) that is correlation to orchid characteristic agronomy
(SR).
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Temperature and relative humidity was found as climatic that has high
correlation with characteristic of orchid i.e. length of blossom (LB), sum of
4.5
4
flowers (JB) and sum of fruits (SF).
3.5
3
The analysis show comfort index can be
2.5
2 expressed as function, i.e.: Comfort Index for
LB = 11.4999 - 0.790343T + 0.162010 RH ,
1.5
m

y =0.0098x2 - 1.5503x +61.714

(n S
u
o
fF

1
)rits

R² =0.9091
0.5
0
50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0
Comfort Index for JB = 1508.96 - 61.6620 T +
90.0 100.0

2.7314 RH and Comfort Index for SF = 118.162

AverageRelativeHumidity(%)

- 4.36413 T + 0.05475 RH. Regression

1 Integrated-Collaborative Research Grant I-MHERE UGM Project 2010

2 Fac. of Agriculture – University of Lambung Mangkurat (Unlam)
3 Fac. of Biology - UGM
4 BKSDA of South Kalimantan
between comfort index and orchid characteristic agronomy is quadratic.
The first differential from quadratic equation will get optimum value of
comfort index for LB, JB and SF that are 1.5 with range between -1.9 to
53.8, 4.9 with range between 2.0 to 5.8 and 0.8 with range 0 to 3.8,
respectively.
The comfort index, air temperature and relative humidity can try to
determine the suitable site for development orchid. The suitable region for
optimum LB and JB that average temperature between 27.5 – 27.9⁰C and
average relative humidity between 77.5 – 85.9%. The result survey in
Pelaihari has height about 21.0 m sea above level shows that length of
blossom between 2 – 6 months per flowering periods. Then, sum of flower
between 2 – 30 buds per plant.
CONCLUSION
Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.) Blume Forma Pelaihari that many flowers about
2 – 30 buds and blossom of duration about 2 – 6 months have been value
to conservation and agribusiness. The optimum comfort index for length
of blossom (LB) is 1.5. The optimum comfort index for sum of flower (JB) is
4.9. And, the comfort index for sum of fruit (SF) is 0.8. The comfort index
can be researched as effective indicator to estimate suitable green house
and the other regions for development orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis (L.)
Blume Forma Pelaihari).

Research activity

Site Research in Site Research in Site Research in Site Research in

Loksado Kentawan’s Pelaihari Banjarmasin
mountain in
Kandangan