Propagule origin and soil organic carbon content determine the growth and yield of Amorphophallus muelleri Blume.

Amorphophallus muelleri Blume, locally called Iles-iles or porang, has become a new commercial commodity in Indonesia. The tuber, as the most economic value, contains high glucomannan a long-chain carbohydrate widely used in the food, beverage, and medicine industries. It has been speculated that the high variation in yield among the farmers is due to different planting materials origin and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. This research was carried out to evaluate the growth and yield of A. muelleri from other planting materials origin and the levels of SOC. The research was carried out at IPB Experimental Station, Leuwikopo Bogor, Indonesia from December 2021 to August 2022, using a nested design, The main plot was the level of SOC (2, 3, 4, and 6%), and the sub-plot was planting material origins (seeds, bulbils, and tubers from leaf cuttings). Results showed that SOC status determined growth and yield. where it significantly affected plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, canopy width, bulbils number, corm fresh weight, and corm diameter. The SOC at a level of 6% stimulated the highest plant growth and yield. Planting materials also determined the growth and yield of A. muelleri. Plants originating from bulbils produced the highest yields, followed by tuber from leaf cuttings and seeds. It is recommended to plant bulbils accompanied by maintaining SOC at a level of 6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]