The Effects of Pot Sizes and Number of Plants per Pot on the Growth of Amorphophallus muelleri Blume

To determine the effects of pot sizes and the number of plants per pot on the growth of Amorphophallus muelleri, seed corms weighing 100-125 g were planted in polyethylene pots. In the first experiment, a corm was planted in pots containing various amounts of growth media: i.e., 0.25, 0.40, 0.50, 1.00, 1.33, 2.00 and 4.00 kg. In the second experiment, different numbers of plant, i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, were grown in pots containing 4.00 kg of growth media. When plants were grown in pots containing a small amount of media (1.33 kg pot–1 or less), they produced small daughter corms and entered dormancy earlier than usual. The number of plants per pot had little effect on corm weight if the amount of growth media per plant was 0.80 kg or greater. As a result, corm yield increased with an increase in the number of plants per pot. The period from corm planting to harvest was slightly longer when only one plant was grown in a pot than when 2–5 plants were grown in the same-sized pot. This study suggested that the low productivity of A. muelleri in shallow soil was associated not only with a small amount of soil per plant but also with limited rooting volume. Keywords: available water, competition, dormancy, plant density, soil dept

Agronomy, Utilization and Economics of Indigenous Vegetables in West Java, Indonesia

ABSTRACTIndigenous vegetables have become popular in recent Indonesian diet, but agronomic and economic studies on these crops are limited. The objective of this research was to investigate the cultural technique of indigenous vegetables, their uses and economic importance in West Java, Indonesia. Initial market observation was conducted in Bogor to determine the economic value of indigenous vegetables. In depth observations of the indigenous vegetables and interviews with merchants, farmers and consumers were conducted in three districts, i.e., Bogor, Cianjur and Tasikmalaya, focusing on four indigenous vegetables familiar to local people, i.e., genjer (Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau), kenikir (Cosmos caudatus Kunth.), leunca (Solanum americanum Miller) and poh-pohan (Pilea melastomoides (Poir.) Wedd.). This study showed that indigenous vegetables have been produced in extensive and semi-intensive cultivations and are sold in local markets daily, although local people do not consume them frequently. Indigenous vegetables held a market share of less than 5% at local markets, and accounted for less than 10% in household vegetable consumption. The reasons for consumers to choose indigenous vegetables were familiarity to these crops, moderate prices, family members’ preference, availability and ease of preparation. Generally, younger family members (<30 years old) bought indigenous vegetables less frequently than older ones (>30 years old), possibly due to lack of information on its use, unfamiliar flavor and high availability of other commercial vegetables commonly grown worldwide.Keywords: Cosmos caudatus, Limnocharis flava, local knowledge, Pilea melastomoides, Solanum americanumABSTRAKPopularitas sayuran indigenus terus meningkat di Indonesia, namun studi agronomi dan ekonominya masih terbatas. Penelitian bertujuan mengkaji budidaya, pemanfaatan dan nilai ekonomis sayuran indigenus di Jawa Barat, Indonesia. Penelitian pendahuluan dilakukan di pasar di wilayah Bogor. Penelitian mendalam dilakukan dengan mewawancarai pedagang, petani dan konsumen, serta mengamati di lahan petani di tiga kabupaten yakni Bogor, Cianjur dan Tasikmalayauntuk empat sayuran indigenus utama yakni genjer (Limnocharis flava (L.) Buchenau), kenikir (Cosmos caudatus Kunth.), leunca (Solanum americanum Miller) dan poh-pohan (Pilea melastomoides (Poir.) Wedd.). Studi menunjukkan bahwa sayuran indigenus diproduksi secara intensif dan semi intensif, serta dijual di pasar setiap hari, walaupun penduduk setempat tidak mengkonsumsi secara teratur. Sayuran indigenus mengisi celung pasar kurang dari 5% dan memenuhi kurang dari 10% kebutuhan sayuran rumah tangga. Konsumen memilih sayuran indigenus karena sudah terbiasa mengkonsumsi, harga terjangkau, disukai anggota keluarga,ketersediaan dan kemudahan mengolah. Secara umum, anggota keluarga muda (usia < 30 tahun) lebih jarang membeli sayuran indigenus dibanding yang lebih tua (usia > 30 tahun), kemungkinandisebabkan keterbatasan informasi nilai guna, adanya aroma asing, dan ketersediaan sayuran lain.Kata kunci: Cosmos caudatus, Limnocharis flava, pengetahuan lokal, Pilea melastomoides, Solanum americanu

ISOLATING MICROSATELLITE FROM Amorphophallus variabilis AND ITS APPLICATION FOR POPULATION STUDY IN DRAMAGA CONSERVATION FOREST, INDONESIA

Amorphophallus variabilis Blume, a member of Araceae, is a fleshy perennial tuber crop endemic in Java Island, Indonesia. The plant produces white edible corm; and it was used as food during famine time before 1960s. Rapid ecological changes and land fragmentations in Java in recent times threaten populations of A. variabilis. Here, compound microsatellite markers were developed in order to develop conservation strategies in the populations. Twelve primers pairs produced high polymorphism ranging from 5 to 22 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.191 to 0.851 and 0.380 to 0.943, respectively. This high allelic diversity indicates that these markers are suitable for the study on population genetic structure. Cross-amplification on related and non-related species was performed. Application of the markers on populations from Dramaga Conservation Forest revealed high allelic richness, high diversity within and among populations. Genetic distance among populations increased with an increase of geographic distance. Present study suggested that, it is important to study population of A. variabilis in Java in order to understand the population genetic structure and develop effective in situ conservation programs

Gamma Irradiation on Growth and Development of Amorphophallus Muelleri Blume.

Iles-iles (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) produces apomictic seeds lead to low genetic variation. In order to induce genetic variation, germinated seeds were exposed to Gamma irradiation (Co-60) at doses of 10 to 100 Gy. Seed irradiation was conducted at Center for the Application of Isotope and Irradiation Technology -National Nuclear Energy Agency (CAIRT), Indonesia. Morphology and yield of M1 generation were observed. Results showed that irradiation at a dose of 10 Gy close to LD50 with survival rate 56%. Gamma irradiation at a dose of 10 Gy delayed seeds germination. Germination rates gradually increased and reached maximum at 4 weeks after planting (WAP) for control plants, and 14 WAP of irradiated plants. At 16 WAP, germination rate of 10 Gy irradiated plants was 56% and 84% for those of control plants. Irradiation induced chimera as indicated by short petiole, variegated and abnornal shape of leaflets. Some irradiated plants entered dormancy at 8-10 weeks later than control ones. Prolong vegetative periode lead the plants to produce heavier corms. This study revealed the possibility to induce variation of A. muelleri by using gamma irradition. Keywords: Amorphophallus muelleri, gamma irradiation (Co-60), morphological variation, mutation breedin

KNO 3 Application Affect Growth and Production of Amorphophallus muelleri Blume

ABSTRAKPemberian larutan KNO3 diduga dapat meningkatkan produktivitas tanaman iles-iles (Amorphophallus muelleriBlume). Penelitian bertujuan mempelajari pengaruh pemberian larutan KNO terhadap produktivitas A. muelleri. Umbiutuh umur satu tahun dengan bobot 100-125 g ditanam dalam polibag yang ditempatkan di bawah naungan paranet 50%pada musim hujan (September 2010-April 2011) di Bogor, Indonesia. Lima taraf larutan KNO3 yaitu 0, 2, 4, 6 dan 8% (b/v)diberikan melalui daun dan melalui tanah. Larutan diberikan 2 kali sebulan mulai 12 minggu setelah tanam (MST). Hasilmenunjukkan bahwa pemberian KNO3-13 nyata mempengaruhi pertumbuhan tanaman, khususnya meningkatkan jumlah daundan memperpanjang masa vegetatif. Pemberian KNO pada taraf 4% memberikan pengaruh tertinggi jika diberikan melaluidaun. Pemberian KNO33 taraf 4% memberikan pertumbuhan yang lebih tinggi jika diberikan melalui daun dibandingkanmelalui tanah. Secara umum, tidak ada pengaruh nyata pada pertumbuhan tanaman akibat pemberian dosis KNO yangdiberikan melalui tanah. Penelitian berimplikasi bahwa pemberian pupuk KNO melalui daun pada taraf 4% dapatditingkatkan efektivitasnya jika kerusakan pada anak daun dapat diminimalkan. Kerusakan daun cenderung meningkat padadaun tua, oleh karena itu, studi lanjut perlu dilakukan terkait waktu aplikasi yang tepat.Kata kunci: iles-iles, kalium nitrat, pupuk daun, pertumbuhan vegetati

Canopy Achitecture, Biomass and Fruit Production of Solanum nigrum L. as Determined by Nitrogen Application

ABSTRACT Demand on fruits of Leunca (Solanum nigrum L.) is increasing in Indonesia due to a rapid expansion of ethnic restaurants, especially Sundanese restaurants. Most fruits come from semi-intensive cultivation in intercropping system, leading to low productivity. In order to improve productivity, nitrogen experiment was carried out at field of Leuwikopo Farm of Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor-Indonesia, during rainy season from December 2013 to April 2014. Four levels of nitrogen, i.e., 0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha-1, were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The results revealed that canopy architecture, dry matter and fruit production, and fruit quality were highly affected by nitrogen application. Increasing nitrogen levels increased biomass and fruit production. Plants treated with nitrogen at level of 60 kg ha-1 produced ideal height for local labor and stable weekly fruit production than other levels. Hence, N fertilizer is essential for achieving high productivity of S. nigrum.Keywords: canopy shape, fruit load, indigenous vegetable, leunca, ranti kebo ABSTRAK Permintaan buah Leunca (Solanum nigrum L.) terus meningkat di Indonesia sejalan dengan perkembangan restoran etnis khususnya restoran Sunda. Sebagian besar buah leunca berasal dari tanaman sampingan secara tumpangsari, sehingga produktivitas rendah. Dalam rangka meningkatkan produktivitas, percobaan pemberian nitrogen dilakukan di Kebun Percobaan Leuwikopo IPB, Bogor pada musim hujan Desember 2013 sampai April 2014. Nitrogen diberikan empat taraf yaitu 0, 60, 120, dan 180 kg N ha-1, yang disusun dalam rancangan acak kelompok dengan empat ulangan. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa bentuk kanopi, produksi bahan kering dan produksi buah serta kualitas buah dipengaruhi oleh pemberian nitrogen. Peningkatan dosis nitrogen meningkatkan bahan kering dan produksi buah. Tanaman dengan perlakuan 60 kg N ha-1 menghasilkan tinggi yang ideal bagi pemanen, dan hasil mingguan yang stabil dibandingkan dengan taraf yang lebih besar. Oleh karena itu, pemupukan nitrogen penting dilakukan untuk meningkatkan produktivitas leunca.Kata kunci: beban buah, bentuk kanopi, leunca, ranti kebo, sayuran tradisiona

Invasive Weeds in Bogor Botanic Gardens, Indonesia and Its Implication on Surrounding Landscapes

Conservation areas with the objective for collection and exchange plant materials have been speculated as weed bank for surrounding areas. Objective of this study was to identify and characterize ruderal invasive weeds in the Bogor Botanic Gardens (BBG). Observations were conducted in all vak (collection blocks) in the BBG in order to identify the weeds species, determine their invasiveness, dominance and distribution. Weeds associations with host plants were observed. Current weed control program and data of dead trees collection were analyzed in relevant to weed. Distribution of weeds outside BBG was observed by transects method following river and road directions. Results showed that there were seven invasive weeds, i.e., Cecropia adenopus (Cecropiaceae), Cissus nodosa Blume (Vitaceae), Cissus sicyoides Blume (Vitaceae), Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Dioscoreaceae), Ficus elastica Roxb. (Moraceae), Mikania micrantha H.B.K. (Asteraceae) and Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen (Fabaceae). These seven weeds species invaded 41 out of 215 plant families in BBG. Six species of weeds, i.e., C. adenopus, C. nodosa Blume., C. sicyoides Blume., D. bulbifera L., M. micrantha H.B.K. and P. falcataria (L.) Nielsen, were introduced as BBG collections for the first time while the F. elastica Roxb was considered as native. It is most likely that the weeds dispersal agents are the wind, birds, bats, visitors, and waters. All of these weeds existed in surrounding areas outside BBG. Given the detrimental impact of invasive weeds on the plant collection in BBG, it is necessary to develop long–term comprehensive control measures both inside and neighboring areas by involving other government authorities beyond BBG

A Case of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Carcinoma in Adenoma at the Minor Duodenal Papilla

Here, we describe a case of minor papillary adenocarcinoma in adenoma that was treated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). In a 67-year-old woman, sigmoid colon cancer was incidentally detected on preoperative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Endoscopy revealed a slightly elevated lesion at the minor duodenal papilla. The findings of a histopathologic examination were suggestive of adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images identified a minute tumor, whereas endoscopic ultrasonography revealed that the tumor did not spread to the pancreas. We performed EMR of this lesion. There were no complications, and relapse has not occurred in 3 years. Cases of minor papillary adenocarcinoma treated with EMR are quite rare