Search

Production of vetiver in Indonesia is low, and its oil quality is not in line with market demand due to the low quality of plant raw materials. In vitro mutagenesis using ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) has the potential to produce superior vetiver variants. This study aimed to determine the effect of EMS on the growth and shoot formation of in vitro vetiver plants. In vitro mutagenesis was performed by culturing in vitro shoots on MS medium containing EMS with various concentrations (0.02; 0.04; 0.06; 0.08; 0.1%) for 4 weeks. The results showed that the addition of 0.02-0.1% EMS to the medium affected on in vitro shoot growth and the ability to form new shoots. EMS increased the percentage of dead explants and decreased the average number of shoots, the number of shoots formed per explant, and the shoot fresh weight. The higher the EMS concentration in the medium, the smaller the percentage of survived explants and the lower ability to form new shoots with the average number of shoots formed less. The percentage of survived explants on the medium without the addition of EMS and on the medium with the addition of EMS with low concentrations of 0.02 and 0.04% reached 100% with an average number of shoots formed ranging from 8.5-10 shoots/explant. Meanwhile, the percentage of survived explants on medium with the addition of EMS with a high concentration of 0.08-0.1% was only 12.5-25% with an average number of shoots formed was less than 2 shoots/explant. Keywords: EMS, in vitro shoots, Vetiveria zizanioides .

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of gamma irradiation on shoot growth and multiplication of Patchouli ( Pogostemon cablin Benth.) Two weeks-old in vitro shoots were irradiated gamma-ray, at doses of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 Gy. The control shoot was not irradiated. The irradiated shoots were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.1 mg.L -1 NAA and 0.3 mg.L -1 BA and incubated in a growth room for eight weeks at a temperature of 25±2°C. The results showed that the gamma irradiation inhibited the growth and multiplication of shoots. Explants irradiated with high-dose gamma-ray (45-75 Gy) had not formed shoot in four weeks of culture, while 58.3-83.3% of the explants without irradiation or irradiated at low doses 15 and 30 Gy formed shoots. The higher irradiation doses increased percentage of browning explants and reduced the percentage of forming shoots. Within the eight weeks of culture, explant without irradiation was able to form shoots at the percentage of 100% with 24 shoots per explant, while explants irradiated at 15-45 Gy were able to grow form shoots at the percentage of 77.7-95.5%. The high doses-irradiated explants (60 and 75 Gy) were only able to form shoots less than 13-20%, with 2-3 shoots per explant. Keywords: Gamma rays (Gy), in vitro shoot, Pogostemon cablin Benth.

Geranium plant ( Pelargonium graveolens L'Her) is one of the geranium oil producing plants that has many benefits. Callus culture is a technique that can be used to plant multiplication and increase production of secondary metabolites. This study aims to determine the effect of the concentration of Benzyl Adenine on the formation of geranium callus from petiole and leaf explants. Callus induction was carried out by culturing petiole and leaf explants on MS medium + 0.1 mg.L -1 NAA + Benzyl Adenine (0; 0.5; 1; 1.5 and 2 mg.L -1 ). Callus morphological parameters, percentage of callus formation, and time of first callus formation were observed. The formation of geranium callus influenced by the explant type and the concentration of Benzyl Adenine. In the 2 nd week, the geranium callus was initiated, light green colored with a compact callus texture. At 4 th week, the percentage of callus formation containing NAA 0.1 mg.L -1 of petiole and leaf explants was 20% and 8%, whereas the percentage of callus formation on medium containing 0.1 mg.L -1 NAA combined with 0.5-2 mg.L -1 Benzyl Adenine of petiole and leaf explants was 52-80% and 24-52%. The best percentage of callus formation was found on the culture medium containing 1 mg.L -1 Benzyl Adenine, equaled 80% of petiole explants, and 52% of leaf explants. Keywords: BA, Callus, Leaf, Petiole, Pelargonium graveolens L’Her.

In vitro propagation method for vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) had been effectively developed in this study. Several variations of media were used for shoot initiation and multiplication. Shoot formation was initiated from crown explant cultured on MS media with the addition of 2 mgL -1 of growth regulator Benzyladenine (BA). Whereas for shoot multiplication, 3 mgL -1 of BA was evidently effective with the average shoot number was 126 shoots per explant. The application of high BA concentration (3-5 mgL -1 ) in multiplication media was capable of inducing more shoots, but the shoots resulted were shorter. In contrast, multiplication media supplemented with low BA concentration (1-2 mgL -1 ) yielded less shoots, but the shoots were longer. Plantlet regeneration was accomplished by inducing roots in the shoots yielded on MS media containing 1 mgL -1 growth regulator NAA. In vitro plants of vetiver had been successfully grown on soil media under greenhouse condition. By using foregoing method, it is possible to conduct mass propagation of vetiver through tissue culture technique.

Hyperhydricity is a symptom of abnormal morphological and physiological function which inhibits the regeneration of plantlets. In general, the main symptom of hyperhydricity is a change in the condition of the plantlets which looks clear (Glassy) as a result of low levels of chlorophyll, the high water content in the plantlets, and the abnormal anatomical structure of the leaves. Hyperhydricity can be controlled by reducing cytokinin concentration, increasing gelling agent concentration, and reducing ammonium nitrate and macro salt concentration on medium. Objective of this research was to reduce hyperhydricity in shoot tip culture of patchouli by modification of ammonium nitrate and macro salt concentration on MS medium. The various treatment concentrations of ammonium nitrate were 0 mg.L -1 (0), 41.25 mg.L -1 (¼ concentration), 825 mg.L -1 (½ concentration), 1650 mg.L -1 (1 concentration) and macro salt MS with 0, ¼ MS, ½ MS, MS with 5 replications. Hyperhydricity on patchouli shoots could be lowered, as indicated by the decrease in water content from 96% to 90-91%, the increase in total chlorophyll content, and the increased number of palisade cells and stomata on the leaf treatment outcome. The concentration treatment of ammonium nitrate showed better results than the concentration of macros salt in increasing the total chlorophyll content, but it did not differ significantly in lowering water levels and increasing the number of palisade cells and stomata. ¼x concentration treatment of ammonium nitrate could increase chlorophyll content of 0.16 to 0.97 mg.g -1 , but MS with 1x concentration showed the best result in the increase of number of palisade cells and stomata of the leaves. Keywords: Ammonium nitrate, Hyperhydricity, Macro Salt, Shoot-tip culture.

The effect of gibberellin at multiplication stage on somatic embryo growth and maturation and plantlet regeneration of tangerine ( Citrus reticulata Blanco.) var. Batu 55 was assessed. Somatic embryo at globular phase was cultured on MT media + 30 gL -1 sucrose and various concentrations of gibberellin (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 ppm). The somatic embryo was maturated on MT media + 500 ppm malt extract + 73 mM sorbitol + 73 mM galactose. Cotyledonary somatic embryo was regenerated into plantlet on MT media + 500 ppm malt extract + 30 gL -1 sucrose + 2 ppm GA 3 . The results showed that the addition of gibberellin in somatic embryo multiplication stage increased somatic embryo growth and maturation and plantlet regeneration of tangerine. Optimum concentration of gibberellin needed for somatic embryo growth was 4 ppm which yielded two-fold fresh weight compared to control. The percentage of maturation was very low below 5%. The addition of gibberellin in media at embryo multiplication stage slightly increased the percentage of maturation about 1-2%. Thirty percent of cotyledonary embryo was able to regenerate into plantlet. The addition of gibberellin in media at embryo multiplication stage increased the regeneration percentage, even the addition of 8 ppm gibberelline yielded regeneration percentage up to 70%. Keywords: gibberellin, growth, maturation, plantlet regeneration, somatic embryo

This study was aimed to determine the effect of incubation at 4°C temperature during multiplication stage of somatic embryos on growth, maturation and plantlets regeneration of citrus Mandarin var Batu 55. Globular somatic embryos were cultured on MT (Murashige & Tucker) medium and incubated at 4°C temperature for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks. Maturation of somatic embryos was induced by transfering globular somatic embryos on maturation medium (MT + 50 mgl -1 malt extract + 73 mM sorbitol + 73 mM galactose). Cotyledonary embryo was regenerated on MT medium + 50 mgl -1 malt extract + 30 gL -1 sucrose + 2 ppm GA 3 . The research showed that maturation of somatic embyos at 4°C temperature inhibited growth and maturation of somatic embyos. Fresh weight of somatic embryo incubated at 4°C for 2 weeks lower than fresh weight of embryo cultured without incubation at 4°C, and continuous decline in longer incubation period. Maturation percentage of embryos without incubation at 4°C temperature was 15%, but embryos incubated at 4°C temperature were lower than 9%. There was no effect of incubation at 4°C temperature during somatic embryos multiplication stage on plantlet regeneration percentage. Keywords: Citrus reticulata , maturation, plantlet regeneration, somatic embryo

When obtaining plantlets, embryo maturation and simultaneous germination are important steps in plant micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis. Several studies have shown that the use of carbohydrates as a carbon source plays a significant role in inducing somatic embryo development in certain plant species. This study aimed to establish a somatic embryo maturation protocol for Batu 55 Mandarin ( C. reticulata Blanco.) by examining the effect of various types of sugar and concentrations. The results showed that the type and concentration of sugar added to the medium affect the somatic embryo maturation of Batu 55 Mandarin. Galactose and maltose enhance somatic embryo maturation more effectively than does sorbitol. The combination of galactose or maltose with sorbitol was able to improve somatic embryo maturation more effectively than galactose or maltose alone. The combination of galactose and sorbitol enhanced the maturation of somatic embryos more effectively than did change the concentrations of maltose or sorbitol. It can be concluded that sugar type and concentration had effects on citrus somatic embryo development. The combination of sorbitol (36.5 mM) with galactose 73 mM was able to augment citrus somatic embryo maturation more effectively than the other concentrations applied.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of explant types and plant growth regulators on callus induction of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L’Her). Callus induction was carried out by culturing leaf and petiole explants from ex vitro geraniums on MS + 0.5 mg/l 2.4-D + 0.1 and 0.3 mg/l Benzyladenine (BA) or Kinetin. Each culture was carried out in 5 replications, cultures were incubated in rooms 25°C and 600 lux. The parameters days for callus induction and percentage of callus formation were observed. Geranium callus formation was influenced by types of explants and plant growth regulators. Petiole explants was able to induce callus better than leaf explants. Days for callus induction at second week and percentage of callus formation of petiole explants were 58 and 58% compared to leaf explants were only 53 and 54%. Plant Growth Regulators BA combined with 2.4-D was able to induce callus better than kinetin. The best callus formation was produced from petiole explants cultured on MS + 0.5 mg/l 2.4-D + 0.3 mg/l BA by 84%.

This study had aims to find the optimum temperature for the extraction of the glucomannan with good physicochemical characters . The method that used for extraction was the stirring method according varies temperatures (35-55-75 o C), followed by centrifugation with speed 1500 rpm for 30 minutes at temperatures 25°C. Glucomannan was coagulated using 95% isopropyl alcohol. Parameters that observed included glucomannan yield, ash and water content, flour color, lightness of glukomanan as well as calcium oxalate contents. The results showed that glucomannan extraction at 55°C gave optimal results (63.1% per dry weigh of tuber), followed by 52.2% and 39.91% for extracted temperature 35°C and 75°C respectively. There was no different significantly in color of glucomannan flour in between temperature which had L value 25.17; 27.23 and 26.37 correspond with extraction temperature 35°C, 55 °C, and 75°C. The calcium oxalate content of all treatment was 0.03-0,11% . The treatments also gave 1.17-2.00% ash content, 4.6-5.53% water content and 49.5-2654.5 Cp of viscosity.

Porang ( Amorphophalus oncophyllus Hook.), a tuber plant, is intensively explored for export commodities from East Java and as a raw food stuff material for domestic industry. The prospects of Porang tubers as the healthy food is interesting, however some studies are needed for their allergy effects. It was thought that the allergy effects of Porang are caused by the composition of Calcium Oxalate crystal that leads the itching and irritation in the mouth. On the other hands, the food allergy is usually caused by unchanged protein during food digesting. Some proteins have been known that play a role in Calcium Oxalate crystal (Matrix proteins) formation, they are: Asp-rich and Ser-rich acidic proteins that are tightly bound to Calcium. So, substantially the allergen of Porang tuber is from the matrix protein, not from its crystal. The allergen in the food is usually a protein that is not change during the food digestion. In this study, it has been done the allergic test of some Porang tuber variants, namely: Sumber Baru-Jember; Klangon, Saradan-Madiun and Sumber Bendo, Saradan-Madiun, by ELISA-IgE from rat’s blood serum that have been orally treated by raw Porang tubers powder before. The SDS-PAGE analysis shows that the proteins bands profiles are similar between raw and steamed Porang tubers (appearance Molecular Weight: 18 and 15 kDa). But, those raw Porang tubers bands are thicker than the steamed ones. The thickness of those raw Porang tubers decrease from 25 to 50 %, compare to those steamed ones. It means that the steaming of Porang is effective to decrease the potential allergy of Porang for consumptions. The allergic test analysis by ELISA-IgE revealed that the potential allergy of Porang are: Sumber Baru (Jember) > Porang var. Klangon - Saradan (Madiun) > Porang var. Sumber Bendo - Saradan (Madiun), respectively.

The objectives of this research were to identify auxin gene, AUX1, and to determine the plant auxin content and their role in conferring branching on Kenaf. PCR analysis using AUX1 primer capable to amplify the DNA of non branching (KR11) and branching kenaf mutant, resulting in 800 bp PCR product. The sequence of the PCR product showed high degree of homology with the sequence of AUX1 gene of other plants in the NCBI GenBank database, confirming kenaf possession of the gene AUX1. However, some variation on the DNA sequence was found between branching and non branching phenotype indicated allele differences of the same gene which were responsible for the variation in the type of branching. Identification of auxin content in the roots, apical shoot, and axillary branches using spectrophotometry method showed that the branching plant has higher auxin content in the apical shoot compared to the content in the branches. This indicate that AUX1 controls the formation of branches by controlling either the content of auxin in the apical shoot and branches, or the ratio of auxin content in the shoot and branches.

Indriyani S, Arisoesilaningsih E, Wardiyati T, Purnobasuki H (2011) A model of relationship between climate and soil factors related to oxalate content in porang (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) corm. Biodiversitas 12: 45-51. The abiotic environment as well as the biotic environment, involved climate and soil affect directly or indirectly to plant growth as well as plant substance. The objective of the research was to obtain a model of relationship between climate and soil factors related to oxalate content in porang corm. Porang corms were collected from five locations of porang agroforestry in East Java. The locations were (i) Klangon Village, Saradan Subdistrict, Madiun District; (ii) Klino Villlage, Sekar Subdistrict, Bojonegoro District; (iii) Bendoasri Village, Rejoso Subdistrict, Nganjuk District;(iv) Sugihwaras Village, Nggluyu Subdistrict, Nganjuk District and (v) Kalirejo Village, Kalipare Subdistrict, Malang District.Geography variable consist of altitude. Climate variables consist of percentage of radiation, temperature and rainfall. Soil variables consist of electrical conductivity, pH, soil specific gravity, soil organic matter, available of calcium, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Vegetation variables consist of species of plant tree and percentage of coverage. Porang vegetative growth variables consist of plant height, number of bulbil, canopy diameter, and petiole diameter. Corm variables consist of corm diameter, corm weight, and corm specific gravity. Oxalate variables consist of total oxalate, soluble oxalate, insoluble oxalate, and density of calcium oxalate crystal.Oxalate contents were measured based on AOAC method. All of variables were collected from first to fourth growth period of porang. Data were analyzed by smartPLS (Partial Least Square) software. The results showed that there were significantly direct effect between altitude and temperature, altitude and CEC of soil, temperature and CEC of soil, altitude and percentage of coverage, temperature and percentage of coverage, CEC of soil and percentage of coverage, CEC of soil and petiole diameter, petiole diameter and corm diameter, and petiole diameter and corm oxalate content. There were no significantly direct effect among altitude, temperature, percentage of coverage and petiole diameter; and among corm total oxalate, soluble oxalate, insoluble oxalate, and density of calcium oxalate crystal and corm diameter. The value of Goodness of Fit of the developing model was R²=0.99.Key words: corm, climate, model, oxalate, smartPLS, porang, soil.

Irrigated agriculture is dependent on an adequate water supply of usable quality. The analysis of physico­chemical parameters of surface water inJember District was done for the criteria of irrigation water quality. Surface water comprises spring water, falls, rivers, and tertiary irrigation channels. For this purpose, three sectors or locations were chosen to take twenty seven water samples in the summer season (September to October, 2013). DO, electrical conductivity (ECw), pH, and water temperature values were measured directly in the field,while analyses of nitrate (NH3-N), orthophosphate, total dissolved solids (TDS), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) was conducted in a laboratory. The results indicated that ECw, TDS, pH, water temperature,NH3-N, and orthophosphate were under the limits set out by the Rules of the Republic of Indonesia Government (PP RI) No. 82, 2001, for water quality standard and FAO for irrigation water quality standard. Thus, the surface water of Jember District was considered to be suitable for irrigation at the sampled location.Keywords: Surface water quality; irrigation; physico-chemical parameter; Jember District.