Dede J. Sudrajat

Morphological Diversity of Fruits, Seeds and Seedlings of Pongamia (Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre) in Java Island

Pongamia ( Pongamia pinnata ( L. ) Pierre ) is one of a potential tree species to produce biodiesel. Pongamia-based biodiesel development program is still constrained by the availability of quality and quantity seeds due to the limited of seed sources. The purpose of this research was to identify the morphological diversity of fruits, seeds and seedlings from 5 populations in Java Island. Randomized completely design and randomized block design were used to assess the difference of fruits, seeds and seedlings morphological characteristics among populations. Principal component and hierarchy cluster analysis were used to explain variation pattern among populations. The results showed that the difference of populations was significantly affected by the difference of fruits, seeds, and seedlings morphology of pongamia. Seeds from Carita population showed good quality seed indicators with moisture content of 19.31%, and germination capacity of 74.50%. Sturdiness quotient of the seedling was 10.78. Contribution of genetic factor was higher than environtment factor is relation to the differences of morphological characteristics of fruits, seeds and seedlings of pongamia. Morphological character of the five populations can be divided into 3 groups, i.e. the first group of Batukaras and Kebumen, second group of Alas Purwo and Baluran, and group 3 was Carita.

DAYA SIMPAN BENIH JABON PUTIH [Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser] BERDASARKAN POPULASI DAN KARAKTERISTIK BENIH (Seed Storability of Jabon Putih [Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser] Base on Populations and Seed Characteristics)

ABSTRACT Jabon putih [Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser] has been cultivated in large scale. However it is constrained by the availability of high quality seeds and seed storability information. This study aimed to identify seed storability of jabon putih based on populations and seed morpho-physiological characteristics. Seeds were collected from eight populations, located in eight provinces. Population was a single factor in a completely randomized design for testing the germination characteristics (germination capacity, germination uniformity, germination speed, mean germination time and germination value) before and after storage. Geo-climate and soil macro elements were used as parameters to examine the correlation between environmental factors and seed characteristics before and after storage. Population was significantly correlated with germination characteristics, before and after storage for 54 months. The results indicated that seeds from Pomalaa population had the best germination characteristics, while those from Ogan Kemiring Ilir had the worst germination characteristics. Based on moisture content and storability, jabon putih seed could be categorized as orthodox that can be stored in long time at low temperatures with low moisture content. Geo-climate and soil macro element were not significantly correlated with germination. This result indicated that genetic factor had high contribution to seed storability of jabon putih. Key word : Genetic factor, morpho-physiological, ortodox seed, storage ABSTRAK Jabon putih [Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser] telah banyak dibudidayakan dalam skala luas, namun terkendala dengan ketersediaan benih bermutu dan belum adanya informasi daya simpan benih. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi karakteristik daya simpan benih jabon putih berdasarkan populasi dan karakteristik morfo-fisiologi benih. Benih dikumpulkan dari delapan populasi yang terletak di delapan provinsi. Populasi menjadi faktor tunggal dalam rancangan acak lengkap untuk menguji karakteristik perkecambahan (daya berkecambah, keserempakan tumbuh, kecepatan berkecambah, rata-rata waktu berkecambah dan nilai perkecambahan) sebelum dan setelah penyimpanan. Geo-klimat dan unsur makro tanah merupakan parameter yang dipakai untuk menguji korelasi antara faktor lingkungan dan karakteristik perkecambahan benih sebelum dan sesudah disimpan. Perbedaan asal benih atau populasi berpengaruh nyata terhadap perkecambahan benih sebelum dan setelah disimpan selama 54 bulan. Benih dari populasi Pomalaa (Sulawesi Tengah) mempunyai karakteristik perkecambahan terbaik sedangkan benih dari populasi Ogan Kemiring Ilir (Sumatera Selatan) mempunyai karakteristik perkecambahan terendah. Berdasarkan tingkat kadar air dan daya simpannya, benih jabon putih dapat dikategorikan sebagai benih ortodoks yang mampu disimpan lama pada suhu dan kadar air rendah. Sebagian besar faktor geo-klimat dan unsur makro tanah tidak berkorelasi nyata dengan perkecambahan benih baik sebelum maupun setelah disimpan. Hasil penelitian ini memberi indikasi bahwa faktor genetik berkontribusi besar dalam mempengaruhi perbedaan daya simpan benih jabon putih. Kata kunci: Benih ortodoks, faktor genetik, morfo-fisiologi, penyimpanan

EFFECT OF MEDIA AND GROWTH REGULATORS ON THE PROPAGATION OF NYAWAI (Ficus variegata Blume) SHOOT CUTTING)

Forest timber plantation of nyawai (Ficus variegate Blume) established by using vegetative propagated seedling from superior individu is very potential to develop for fulfilling the raw material demand of wood processing industries. The purpose of research was to get the optimum rooting medium and growth regulator concentration for rooting shoot cuttings of nyawai. Materials cuttings were provided from seedlings at 12 months age. The experiment was performed as factorial in a completely randomized design with two factors, i.e. rooting media factors (sand, mixed coconut coir dust + rice husk (2: 1, v/v), and mixed coconut coir dust+ husk rice + husk rice charcoal (6: 3: 1, v/v)) and IBA growth regulator concentrations (0, 50, 100,200,400, 600, and 800 mg/l), with three replications so that twenty experimented unit were used at each replication. Rooting percentage, root number, root length, shoot length, root biomass, shoot biomass, and leaf number were evaluated. Based on the result, sand media produced the highest rooted cuttings (88.10%), while the use of IBA showed the trend to increase the number of root with increasing the concentrations, but it influenced to reduce the shoot growth. Combination treatment of sand media and IBA 800mg/l provided the highest rooted cuttings (93.33%) with the number of root 21. Therefore, for the successful propagation of nyawai, cuttings are planted in sand media with IBA 800 mg/l.

Variability in Morpho-physiology, Tuber Yield and Starch Content of Several Arrowroot Populations in Garut District

Arrowroot ( Maranta arundinacea L.) is an important starchy plant which has potential utilization for food,industry and medicine. The study was undertaken to assess the variability in morpho-physiological characters, tuber yield and starch content of 23 arrowroot populations in Garut District, West Java. The result showed some significant differences in morpho-physiological characteristics, tuber yield and starch content. Growth characteristics revealed that Cilawu population recorded the highest values for some characters: high, leaf number, above growth biomass and tuber biomass. Cikajang population showed the highest tuber yield (210.6 g per plant) followed by Cilawu population (134 g per plant). Cikajang and Cilawu populations also provided the highest tuber biomass, 46.6 g and 60.0 g respectively. Cilawu population was a second population producing the highest starch content (26.1 %) after Cibatu population (27 %). The higher heritability coupled with genetic advance revealed for fresh tuber yield indicated that selection on basis of the character may be helpful to improve arrowroot yield. Most of the growth characteristics had not significant correlation indicating that the characteristics are not good indicator for selection. Cilawu, Cikajang and Cibatu populations have good potential to produce the high quality and quantity of tuber for arrowroot cultivation in Garut District.