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This research supports the sustainable environmental development, especially at Perhutani area. The objective of this ethno-ecological study was to know relationship between daily life of local people related to their agroforestry practices in edge of the forest belong to Perhutani at the landscape of Bromo Tengger Semeru-East Java. The Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) showed the importance of the forest for the local people. This study covered the perception and conception traditional management system of environment by the local society and also impact of their activities. Data were collected by applying ethno-ecology research methods. Quality of data were measured by means of participatory ethno-botanical appraisal (PEA) and some research methods included semi-structural and open discussion, in-deep interview, direct observation and plants identification. The results showed that development and management of the natural resources, in Komplangan agroforestry, were highly related to the plant conservation policy. The land use system was adapted from indigenous knowledge which consisted of holly sites (Pedanyangan), worship sites (Sanggar Pamujan), cemetery area and terrace. The conservation model and traditional knowledge in agricultural practices could be used as a model of komplangan area which should be taken into account as the key of biodiversity conservation. Traditional knowledge from these integrative studies will support the sustainable development of NTFPs.

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.

Proline is one of amino acid that usually accumulates inside the plant cell when facing drought stress. The accumulation of proline can protect the plant cell from damage during drought. The aim of this research was to determine proline content and yield components of local corn cultivars from Kisar Island, Maluku, Indonesia. The field trial was organized using randomized block design with three replicates. Six local corn cultivars found in Kisar Island (Deep Yellow, Early Maturing Yellow, Red Blood, Rubby Brown Cob, Waxy, and White) were used as plant materials and a recommended tolerance variety (Srikandi) was taken as reference group. Proline content was determined using ninhydrin method. Yield components variables included cob weight (at harvest, after air dry, after oven dried, at 12% of water content), cob water content at harvest, cob length, cob diameter, number of seed row per cob, number of seed per cob, and cob yield at 12% of water content. Data collected was analysed with analysis of variance followed by Duncan multiple range test at the significant level 0.05 using Statistical Analysis System/SAS software version 9.0. The result shows that highest proline content and yield components (except for cob water content) was showed by the Deep Yellow cultivar. The lowest proline content was showed by Rubby Brown Cob cultivar. The lowest corn yield components was showed by Red Blood local cultivar. Deep Yellow cultivar can be proposed as superior drought tolerance variety, and can be recommended for further wide cultivation in Maluku province.

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.