World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference

In Asia, cassava (Manihot esculenta) is cultivated by more than 8 million farmers, driving the rural economy of many countries. The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), in partnership with national agricultural research institutes (NARIs), instigated breeding and agronomic research in Asia, 1983. The breeding program has successfully released high-yielding cultivars resulting in an average yield increase from 13.0 t ha-1 in 1996 to 21.3 t ha-1 in 2016, with significant economic benefits. Following the success in increasing yields, cassava breeding has turned its focus to higher-value traits, such as waxy cassava, to reach new market niches. More recently, building resistance to invasive pests and diseases has become a top priority due to the emergent threat of cassava mosaic disease (CMD). The agronomic research involves driving profitability with advanced technologies focusing on better agronomic management practices thereby maintaining sustainable production systems. Remote sensing technologies are being tested for trait discovery and large-scale field evaluation of cassava. In summary, cassava breeding in Asia is driven by a combination of food and market demand with technological innovations to increase the productivity. Further, exploration in the potential of data-driven agriculture is needed to empower researchers and producers for sustainable advancement.

Cassava breeding and agronomy in Asia: 50 years of history and future directions

The objective of this study was to obtain basic knowledge for the prediction of the mechanical properties
 of Japanese larch lumber (Larix kaempferi) on the basis of tree properties,
 such as the stress-wave velocity (SWV) and Pilodyn penetration value (Py). The values of the correlation
 coefficient between the SWV of a standing tree and the dynamic Young’s modulus (DMOE) of logs, which
 were obtained at various heights, gradually decreased with an increase in the log sampling height, indicating
 that the SWV of a tree is affected by wood properties at the measuring position. A significant
 correlation between the SWV of trees and the average modulus of elasticity (MOE) of lumber was found (r
 =0.834). A significant negative correlation between the Py of a tree and the average modulus
 of rupture (MOR) of lumber was also found (r=-0.859). A high coefficient of determination for
 an obtained regression curve was found when both the SWV and Py of a tree were used for evaluating
 the average MOE or MOR of lumber. These results indicate that the average MOE and MOR of lumber can
 be predicted by using the SWV and Py of the Japanese larch tree.

Prediction of the mechanical properties of lumber by stress-wave velocity and Pilodyn penetration of 36-year-old Japanese larch trees

Raising environmental awareness had forced researchers to explore the potential and implementation of environmentally friendly materials as alternatives for conventional materials. Environmentally friendly materials are biodegradable, safer, non-toxic, lightweight, cheap, and readily available. Arrowroot starch has a high content of amylose (~35.20%) which makes it suitable for better film production. Starch extracted from arrowroot rhizomes can be blended, plasticized with other polymers, or reinforced with fibres to improve their properties. The melt blended glycidyl methacrylate-grafted polylactide (PLA-g-GMA) and treated arrowroot fiber (TAF) treated with coupling agent developed PLA-g-GMA/TAF composite, which showed better properties than the PLA/AF composite. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive review paper was published on arrowroot fibres, starch biopolymer, and its biocomposites before. The present review focuses on recent works related to the properties of arrowroot fibres and starch, and their fabrication as biocomposites. The review also reveals the vast potential of arrowroot fibres and starch for food industries, medicines, textiles, biofuel, pulp, and paper-making industries, bioenergy, packaging, automotive, and many more.

Recent developments in sustainable arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea Linn) starch biopolymers, fibres, biopolymer composites and their potential industrial applications: A review

Successful development of an appropriate tree breeding strategy and wood utilization requires information on wood properties. This study was therefore conducted to assess wood density and mechanical properties of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon grown in Malawi. Wood samples from six families of P. kesiya at the age of 30 years were used for the study. The estimated mean wood density, Modulus of Elasticity (MoE), Modulus of Rupture (MoR) and moisture content were 0.593 ± 0.001 g/cm3, 13.46 ± 0.07 GPa, 113.67 ± 0.57 MPa and 12.08% ± 0.03%, respectively. There were statistically significant (p 0.05) differences in wood density and mechanical properties among the families. This is an indication that any tree among the families can be selected for tree improvement programs if density is considered as a variable. Wood density had a strong positive significant linear relationship with both MoE (r = 0.790; p < 0.001) and MoR (r = 0.793; p < 0.001). This suggests that it has the potential to simultaneously improve the wood density and mechanical properties of this species. Therefore, controlling wood density for the tree improvement program of P. kesiya in Malawi would have a positive impact on mechanical properties.

https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/7/7/135/pdf

Wood Density and Mechanical Properties of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon in Malawi

The anatomical, chemical, and physical characteristics of tension wood were investigated in the commercially important tropical fast-growing plantation species Falcataria moluccana and Acacia auriculi

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Anatomical, chemical, and physical characteristics of tension wood in two tropical fast-growing species, Falcataria moluccana and Acacia auriculiformis

The study was conducted to develop local fruit plants and to improve vegetable production at the Plant Germplasm Garden of RC for Biotechnology-LIPI. Carambola ( Averrhoa carambola ), durian ( Durio zibethinus ) and guava ( Psidium guajava ) were propagated vegetatively (grafting and budding) and were grown on the media containing grass compost (K-1), spent compost of paddy straw mushroom (K-2) or oyster mushroom (K-3) in combination with rootstock length of 45-55 cm (TB-1), 65-75 cm (TB-2) and 75-90 cm (TB-3). Tomato ( Lycopersicum esculentum ) and kangkung ( Ipomoea reptans ) were grown on the same media in the screen house. The highest survival rate of grafted durian (71.56%) was obtained from TB-3 grown on K-1 by budding technique. Meanwhile, the highest survival rate of carambola (68.89%) was obtained from TB-1 by grafting technique. The budding technique was not appropriate for guava (0 % of survival). Application of K-3 of 3 kgs on tomato plants resulted in the highest fresh weight, length, and diameter of the fruit, and the highest of plant height, total leaves, and biomass of kangkung . The study is expected to be applied to improve fruit plant growth and survival rate as well as a high production of organic vegetable. How to Cite Priadi, D., & Mulyaningsih, E. S. (2016). Effects of Compost Type and Rootstock Length on Fruit and Vegetable Seedlings Growth  in the Nursery. Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology & Biology Education , 8(3), 301-307.

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Effects of Compost Type and Rootstock Length on Fruit and Vegetable Seedlings Growth in the Nursery

The East Java province is one of distribution areas of mango in Indonesia. These plants can be found almost in all areas in that province. The central distribution in some regency namely Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Banyuwangi, Kediri and Tulungagung. The aim of this research was to know species diversities among diversity within species (cultivar) which was planted recently since the genetic erosion was going fast. Therefore several areas in Madiun and its surroundings (Ngawi, Nganjuk, Kediri, and Tulungagung) were selected for this study. The results as follows: there were two species mango planted in those areas namely Mangifera indica L. (14 cultivars) and Mangifera odorata Griff. (2 cultivars). According to the taste, can be classified into good (for example â€˜arumanisâ€™, â€˜santogâ€™,â€™maduâ€™, â€˜manalagiâ€™, â€˜golekâ€™) and not too good taste (for example â€˜kopyorâ€™, â€˜kelemâ€™, â€˜dodoniloâ€™, â€˜cempuroâ€™). According to the diversity status,the following cultivars could be classified as endangered (i.e. pakel, madu, kopyor, santog gunung, dodonilo, cempuro and pelem lanang). Aside of those cultivars, however, we might find some cultivars which are commonly abundance (i.e. gadung, podang, podang gunung and podang sawahan). Besides that developing, marketing and processing still need to be developed to increase its added value, because in practice the marketing and processing still traditionally system. Â© 2006 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: variation, species, cultivars, mango, Madiun

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The species and cultivars of mango in Madiun and its surroundings; the development and its problems

Study of the effect of organic and non-organic farming practice of rice ( Oryza sativa L.) cv. Rojolele on seed physiology was carried out in Cipanas, West Java (on-farm) and in the laboratory of BSJ3 and greenhouse of RC for Biotechnology  (off-farm). Parameters were recorded particularly on seed germination percentage, water content, dormancy behavior and morphology. On-farm study results showed that germination percentage of organic seeds was higher (88.3% at water content of 13.4%) than those non-organic seeds (20.0% at water content of 10.2%). Results of off-farm study showed that the plant height of those organic seeds was higher than those non-organic seeds. On-farm practice the harvest after 150 days showed that the non-organic seeds produced more yellow grains (44.8%) than those of organic seeds (39.6%). A total grain per plant produced by the non-organic seeds was higher than those organic seeds, however, total percentage of the filled out organic seeds was higher (57.8%) than those non-organic seeds (40.1%). Organic seeds seem to be more dormant than those non-organic seeds after storage for 12 months. Grain weight of both non-organic and organic was 17-19 g per 1000 seeds. Germination of off-farm non-organic seeds was 98.0%, whereas those organic seeds were 95.0% at water content of 10.8% respectively. In view of seed physiology, organic rice quality better than those non- organic because they contain more filled out seeds, even though the organic rice harvesting time longer than those non-organic. Although off-farm study represented seed physiology of either organic or non-organic seeds, on-farm study needs to be further done on all aspects of seed physiology.

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PADI ORGANIK VERSUS NON ORGANIK: STUDI FISIOLOGI BENIH PADI (Oryza sativa L.) KULTIVAR LOKAL ROJOLELE

Dammar (Agathis damara) seeds categorized as an intermediate seeds since their viability tend to decrease when subjected to storage more than 2 weeks conventionally. Storage period of seeds could be prolonged when the seeds cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen since the metabolism of the cells could be minimized without loss of viability. The objective of the study was to identify suitable vitritification method for dammar storage seeds. Seed water content was decreased gradually from initial water content (28.48% as a control) using desiccators and vacuum method. Vitrification solution (PVS2) containing glycerol 30%, ethylene glycol 15% and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) 15% in 0.4M sucrose solution was used as a cryoprotectant of peeled or unpeeled dammar seeds during freezing process. The samples were soaked in PVS2 for 1 hour followed by exposure to liquid nitrogen in cryotube for 1 hour. The samples were then thawed in water bath at 28Â°C for 1 hour prior to germination in IPB-78 germinator with UDK and UKdDp germination methods. Results showed that the highest viability of cryopreserved dammar seeds (22.32% moisture content) was 100% obtained from those germinated with UKdDp method. A negative effect of cryoprotectant was occurred in both peeled and unpeeled seeds cryopreserved for 1 hour. However, it was effective for seeds cryopreserved for 4 weeks which indicate the possibility to preserve for a longer period in the future. Â© 2006 Jurusan Biologi FMIPA UNS SurakartaKey words: dammar, Agathis damara, seeds, PVS2, crypreservation.

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Dody Priadi

Papers

Anatomical, chemical, and physical characteristics of tension wood in two tropical fast-growing species, Falcataria moluccana and Acacia auriculiformis

Effects of Compost Type and Rootstock Length on Fruit and Vegetable Seedlings Growth in the Nursery

The species and cultivars of mango in Madiun and its surroundings; the development and its problems

PADI ORGANIK VERSUS NON ORGANIK: STUDI FISIOLOGI BENIH PADI (Oryza sativa L.) KULTIVAR LOKAL ROJOLELE

Cryopreservation of dammar (Agathis damara Salisb.) seeds in liquid nitrogen