Journal of Tropical Crop Science
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Quality and Production Potentials of Various Types of Taro Cormel
Get PDFTaro is a promising food crop that can be developed as a significant source of carbohydrates; however, a major obstacle is the unavailability of high-quality planting materials. Due to the difficulty in obtaining seeds, taro cultivation generally relies on vegetative propagation materials such as cormels, cormlets, and stolons. The advantage of using vegetative propagation material is that it retains the same characteristics as the parent plant. This research aimed to evaluate the quality of various types of cormels as taro planting material, study the potential of different types of cormels on the growth and production of taro plants, and investigate the growth, development, and time required to produce cormels from various types of cormels and their potential in cormel seed production. The research consisted of two experiments: the first experiment evaluated the quality of several types of cormels from two taro accessions (S24 and S28) using a completely randomized design with two factors (accession and types of cormels—primary, secondary, and tertiary), while the second experiment studied the growth and development of cormels from various types of cormels. The best quality seeds were obtained from primary cormels directly attached to the main tubers, with the germination rate highest for primary cormels at 53.25%, followed by secondary cormels at 51.59%, and tertiary cormels at 39.42%. Accession S24 showed a faster emergence rate (30.26 days) compared to S28 (58.08 days), and in S24, there was no significant difference between types of cormels for this parameter. In contrast, in S28, primary cormels had a significant emergence advantage (33.65 days) over secondary and tertiary cormels (62.57 and 78.02 days, respectively). Additionally, primary cormels were formed 8 weeks after planting, while secondary and tertiary cormels appeared 12 weeks after planting. These findings suggest that primary cormels should be prioritized for use in taro propagation to improve growth, development, and yield, highlighting their potential in cormel seed production and offering a viable solution to the challenge of seed availability in taro cultivation
Assessment of Nitrogen Volatilization and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Urea with N-stabilizer in a Productive Oil Palm Plantation (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)
Get PDFNitrogen fertilization plays a crucial role in supporting plant growth. However, nitrogen in the soil can be lost through rainwater leaching. To address this issue, the concept of fertilizing N-stabilizer-coated urea was proposed. The aim is to reduce nitrogen loss on the field due to vaporization and minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of this N-stabilizer-coated urea in reducing nitrogen loss through vaporization, improving GHG emissions, and its impact on plant growth and leaf quality. The research was conducted at IPB-Cargill Jonggol, Bogor, West Java, oil palm education and research station from August 2021 to March 2022. The experimental design employed a completely randomized block design. The fertilizer treatments included four types of nitrogen fertilizers: urea (46% N), coated urea with N-stabilizer (46% N), ZA (21% N), and NPK (15-15-15, 15% N). Additionally, a control treatment without any fertilizer application was included. All treatments were replicated three times. Data analysis was done using the SAS (Statistical Analysis System) 9.0 program. The F-test was conducted, followed by DMRT (Duncan Multiple Range Test) advanced tests at a 5% error level. The results revealed that urea with N-stabilizer fertilization significantly reduced NH3-vaporization by 53% in the first week compared to the application of normal urea. NH3-vaporization level from ZA and NPK was < 1% compared to urea application. Field application of urea with N-stabilizer showed no significant difference in greenhouse gas emission (GHG) compared to the other nitrogen fertilizer types. The GHG values ranged from 7.10 to 7.29 g CO2-e.m-2 per day. The use of N-stabilizer-coated urea could be an effective approach to minimize nitrogen loss through vaporization and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining comparable results to other nitrogen fertilizer types in terms of GHG emissions on the field
Morphological Diversity of “Tuni” and “Afo” Cloves, Endemic to the Maluku Islands, Indonesia
Get PDF“Tuni” and “Afo” cloves are endemic clove varieties from the Maluku islands. Until now, there is still little information on morphological diversity in plant populations and information on the characteristics between the two varieties. The research aims to provide information on the morphological diversity and characteristics of “Tuni” and “Afo” cloves from the Maluku Islands. Morphological characterization of the “Tuni” variety of cloves was carried out at its distribution location on Ambon Island, Maluku Province. In contrast, “Afo” cloves were characterized at their distribution location on Ternate Island, North Maluku Province. The research was carried out in July 2023-May 2024. The used for morphological identification was the modified Tropical Fruit Descriptors. The characterized clove plants consisted of 30 “Tuni” clove plants and 30 “Afo” clove plants, so a total of 60 plants were characterized. The results of the Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) based on 54 morphological characters that were carried out showed two groups with a dissimilarity coefficient of 44%. The first group is a group of “Tuni” clove accessions, which are clustered with a similarity of 91%, and the second group is a group of “Afo” clove accessions, which are clustered with a similarity of 90%. The results of Principle Component Analysis (PCA) obtained a total diversity of 75.4%, where the specific characteristics of “Tuni” cloves obtained were stem bark color, crown shape, branching angle, leaf thickness, old leaf color, shoot color, leaf petiole tip color, flower stalk weight, flower length, flower tube diameter. The specific characteristics of “Afo” cloves obtained from PCA are plant height, stem circumference, North-South canopy width, East-West canopy width, leaf length, leaf texture, leaf spiciness, ripe picked flower color, picked ripe flower crown color, ripe fruit color, and color seed
Histological Analysis of Somatic Embryogenesis from Immature Zygotic Embryo of Wild Banana Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis
Get PDFSomatic embryogenesis, a crucial plant regeneration method, has become indispensable for crop improvement, particularly for species reliant on somatic cell manipulation techniques. Optimization of this process necessitates an understanding of the developmental stages involved. This study investigates the histological aspects of somatic embryogenesis in Musa acuminata ssp. malaccensis derived from immature zygotic embryos. Through detailed histological analysis, we aimed to elucidate the morphological changes and cellular organization occurring during the various stages of somatic embryogenesis, from induction, culture proliferation, and somatic embryo development to plantlet conversion. The initial stages of embryogenesis, characterized by nodules, were primarily composed of meristematic cells with high cell division activity. These cells contained tetrad-like structures that could develop into distinct two- and four-celled proembryoids or proembryogenic aggregates. Our histo-anatomical analysis revealed that embryogenic cultures proliferated through multiple pathways simultaneously: somatic embryo budding, proembryo formation, and pro-embryonic mass formation from both internal and peripheral cells. At the stage of somatic embryo development, embryos with a well-defined protoderm layer, containing cells with prominent nuclei and dense cytoplasm, potentially regenerate into plantlets. Furthermore, histological examination revealed the presence of procambium within mature somatic embryos, which subsequently developed into the vascular system of the complete plantle
Impact of Salinity Stress on Soybean Growth and Yield under Saturated Soil Culture in Tidal Lands: A Comparative Study of Tolerant Varieties
Get PDFSalinity stress, intensified by climate change events such as El Niño and drought, presents a significant challenge to soybean production in tidal lands. This study evaluated soybean varieties’ growth, tolerance, and yield under varying salinity conditions within a saturated water cultivation system. The experiment was conducted from February to May 2024 at the IPB Experimental Station in Leuwikopo, Bogor, Indonesia, using soil samples collected from type B tidal lands in Mulyasari Village, Banyuasin, South Sumatra. A completely randomized design (CRD) was employed with three factors and three replications each. The first factor was soybean variety (“Demas-1” and “Detap-1”), the second was soil salinity (0 and 2000 ppm NaCl), and the third was irrigation salinity at different growth stages (control, 2000 ppm NaCl before/during flowering, and 2000 ppm NaCl after flowering). The results demonstrated that the “Demas-1” variety exhibited superior growth characteristics, including higher leaf greenness, dry weight of root nodules, and number of filled pods per plant. Exposure to soil salinity of 2000 ppm NaCl led to a significant reduction in plant height (29.38%), leaf number (38.01%), leaf greenness (28.67%), dry weight (49.90%-60.80%), and filled pods per plant (55.51%), while increasing plant toxicity (108%). Irrigation with 2000 ppm NaCl further exacerbated these negative impacts, resulting in decreased leaf greenness (15.42%-18.06%) and filled pods per plant (17.84%-23.94%). The interaction between soybean variety, soil salinity, and irrigation salinity significantly influenced the number of filled pods per plant. The combination of any soybean variety with 2000 ppm NaCl resulted in a reduction of filled pods per plant. Moreover, applying saline irrigation after flowering to saline soil decreased the number of filled pods per plant by 64.68%. These findings highlight the critical importance of selecting tolerant soybean varieties and implementing effective irrigation management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on soybean production in tidal lands
Plant Growth, Fruit Production and Total Terpenoid Compounds in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia L.) at Various Levels of Phosphorus Fertilization
Get PDFBitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) fruits have been reported to have pharmacological functions such as anti-bacterial, lowering blood sugar, and preventing cardiovascular disease. Terpenoids are the bioactive compounds that play a role in those functions. The phosphorus is essential in the biosynthesis of terpenoids. This research aimed to determine plant growth characteristics, fruit production, and terpenoid production in bitter gourds fertilized with various phosphorus. The experiment was conducted at the IPB experimental station in Cikarawang, 6o32’58.3” S south latitude and 106o43’54.8” E east longitude, Bogor, Indonesia, from July to October 2023. The experiment used a completely randomized block design with a single factor: fertilizer treatments and three replications. The treatments were without fertilizer, chicken manure only, and varying dosages of SP-36 (0, 20, 40, 60 g per plant). Plants treated with 40 g SP-36 per plant significantly had longer stems at four weeks after planting (WAP) (153.5 cm), substantially more female flowers at 5 WAP (6.4 flowers), heavier fresh weight per fruit (243.98 g), and higher fruit carotene level (86 μg.g-1). Plants treated with 60 g SP-36 per plant had the heaviest fresh fruit weight per plant (2,820.9 g). On the other hand, chicken manure fertilizer resulted in an elevated number of female flowers at 7 WAP (6.8 flowers), leaf potassium content (3.41%), chlorophyll a (250 μg.g-1), chlorophyll b (114 μg.g-1), and total chlorophyll concentration (363 μg.g-1). There were no significant differences in IC50, terpenoid content, and terpenoid production; however, plants treated with 60 g SP-36 per plant tended to have lower IC50 (1,347.67 ppm) and terpenoid content (95,227 μmol NE.g-1 dry fruit). In contrast, plants treated with 40 g SP-36 per plant tended to have higher terpenoid production (15,995 mmol NE per plant) than other treatments.
Evaluations of Grass Pea Relay Inter-Cropping with Wheat on Vertisol in Eastern Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Get PDFGrass peas have been cultivated in Ethiopia for a long time; they are drought-tolerant and unaffected by excessive rainfall. This study evaluated the effectiveness of grass pea relay intercropping with wheat for better production and its effect on soil moisture and fertility improvement in the Jama district, northeastern Amhara, Ethiopia. The location is mainly dominated by vertisol, a black-to-gray clay with high swelling and shrinking character. The treatments were evaluated by arranging the randomized block design. At the tillering stage of wheat, planting grass peas on furrows and between rows with 30 cm spacing effectively contributes to soil fertility status and soil moisture. Grass pea is a legume crop that incorporates nitrogen and is also used as a cover crop that retains soil moisture. This type of planting technique is also efficient in the case of land utilization; a 1.9 ha sole cropping area would be required to produce the same yields as 1 ha of the intercropped system. Planting grass peas during the tillering stage of the wheat crop is recommended
The Effects of Watering Volume and Topping on the Fruit Quality of Two Melon Varieties in a Substrate Hydroponic System
Get PDFMelons are horticultural fruits with increasing demand and high economic value. In 2020, the export demand for melons was 388.98 tons, with key destinations including Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Malaysia, East Timor, and Singapore. However, quality degradation, such as fruit cracking, can negatively impact marketability. Dorais et al. (2004) identified several factors contributing to fruit splitting, including genetics, pruning time, water management (rain, high humidity, or intensive irrigation following drought), high temperatures, light, calcium content, and the strength of fruit cell walls. Effective and efficient cultivation practices are essential to mitigate these issues. This research aimed to determine the effect of watering volume and topping treatment on the growth and quality of two melon varieties in a substrate hydroponic system. The experiment was conducted from March 2021 to May 2021 in the greenhouse of the Leuwikopo IPB University Experimental Garden, located at an altitude of 218.79 meters above sea level. Two melon varieties were used: “Alisha” (V1) and “Glamour” (V2), with four replications for each treatment. The treatments were watering volume and topping. Watering consists of consistent watering volume of 250 ml per plant until harvest, variable watering volume according to the growth phase, i.e., 200 ml per plant, 300 ml per plant, and 350 ml per plant for phase, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The effects of the treatments on all agronomic traits and fruit quality were assessed. The results showed that topping did not significantly affect any of the agronomic traits or fruit quality. Maintaining a consistent watering volume of 250 ml per plant until harvest is beneficial for the growth and quality of melon varieties “Alisha” and “Glamour” in a substrate hydroponic system. Effective water management is crucial in melon cultivation to ensure high-quality fruit production and minimize issues such as fruit cracking. Future research could explore additional factors influencing melon quality and yield to further optimize cultivation practices
Effects of Chitosan and 1-MCP on the Physical and Chemical Quality of Salak “Pondoh” (Salacca edulis REINW.) Fruits
Get PDFSalak, or snake fruit, is a tropical fruit with a short shelf life when stored at room temperatures. The fruit’s base, if injured or bruised, can serve as an entry point for microbes, leading to physical and chemical damage to the fruits. This research aims to determine if chitosan and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment can prolong the shelf life of salak “Pondoh”. The study tested two factors, chitosan (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) and 1-MCP concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 µL.L-1). The findings indicate that the application of chitosan and 1-MCP treatments did not significantly extend the shelf life of the fruits on the 15th day of observation. However, 1.0% chitosan combined with 1.5 µL.L-1 1-MCP and 1.5% chitosan combined with 0.5 µL.L-1 1-MCP proved effective in enhancing the fruit’s overall quality and maintained low ethylene production, high water content, and enhanced the organoleptic attributes including ease of peeling, fruit flesh color, texture, aroma, and taste
Grain Quality of Three Rice Genotypes Grown in Organic and Non-Organic Systems
Get PDFGrain quality is essential for assessing the overall quality of the grain produced and determining the market value of the final product. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical quality of grains cultivated using both organic and non-organic methods. The research employed grains from red, white, and black rice genotypes planted during the third period. Each sample consisted of 100 grams, with three replicates. Data analysis involved variance testing using T and BNT tests, with a significance level set at 5%. Parameters for assessing the physical quality of grains included moisture content, empty grains, damaged kernels (yellow), calcified kernels (young kernels), foreign matter, other varieties, odors, and pests. The research took place at the Polytechnic Organic Farm and Plant Laboratory of Politeknik Negeri Lampung from January to April 2022. The findings indicated that the grain yields of red, white, and black rice genotypes quantitatively exhibited lower levels of yellow/damaged kernels and calcified/young kernels when cultivated organically compared to non-organic methods. However, for other analyses, the results did not show significant differences between the two cropping systems. Nevertheless, the grains of red, white, and black rice genotypes met the quality standards outlined in SNI 01-0224-1987, classified as grade II for organic cultivation and grade III for non-organic cultivation