Phalaenopsis "Sogo Vivien "is a mini orchid hybrid with beautiful fl owers and numerous infl orescences. Mass propagation of this orchid is needed to meet the market demand. Objective of this research was to induce somatic embryogenesis of P."Sogo Vivien" through insertion of AtRKD4 gene into orchid. T-DNA containing 35S::GAL4::AtRKD4::GR was inserted into 16-22 days after sowing orchid protocorms mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA 105. Activation of the AtRKD4 gene was induced by glucocorticoid induction system, using 15μM Dexamethasone (Dex). The results showed that 34 out of 2,648 orchid embryos developed into protocorms on hygromycin selection medium, whereas only 4 out of 2,897 non-transformant protocorms developed from embryos. A 500 bp of HPT genes was amplifi ed from transformant candidates using specifi c primers for HPT (HygF1 and HygR1) and 380 bp was amplifi ed using specifi c primers for AtRKD4 (AtRKD4 F1 and AtRKD4 R1), indicated that transgenes have been integrated into orchid genomes. Finally, 17 plantlets were positively carrying AtRKD4 and HPT genes, the effi ciency of transformation was 0.63 %. Somatic embryos were also emerged from leaf explants of transformant on hormone-free NP medium and became normal plantlets. It is probably due to the high activity of AtRKD4 genes in orchids.

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Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) has been proven to show anticancer activity. Direct use bioactive compound from red ginger has many obstacles such as large amount of red ginger’s rhizome needed, limitation of planting area, and very long time of harvesting. Utilization of endophytic fungi from red ginger’s rhizome could be an alternative to the problems. The aims of this study were to determine bioactive compound produced by endophytic fungi and toxicity activity based on LC50. Endophytic fungi were isolated from red ginger and were identified macroscopically and microscopically. The bioactive compounds were extracted using ethanol 96%. Flavonoid test was done qualitatively, bioactive compounds were analyzed by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), and the toxicity test was done using Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay (BSLA). The present research found two endophytic fungi isolated from red ginger rhizome. Isolate 1 was similar to Mucor sp. and isolate 2 was similar to Trichoderma sp. Phytochemical test revealed bioactive compound extracted from the isolates were contained flavonoid. TLC analysis did not detect quercetin from the bioactive compound extracted from the isolates. LC50 values of the bioactive compound from the isolates were 2.300 and 1.747 µg/ml, respectively. The toxicological results suggest that both isolates produce non-toxic compound to Artemia salina.

The increase of temperature might affect the distribution and reproduction of seagrass. This research aims to determine the seagrass bed coverage and the ecosystem condition. Three line transects were established perpendicular to the coastal line with the distance of 50-100 m, or up to the border of the intertidal area. In each transect, sampling points were determined with a distance of 10-20 m. At the sampling points, a plot of 50 cm x 50 cm was established to measure the coverage percentage of seagrass vegetation. The seagrass species were also observed and recorded along the line transects. The percentage of seagrass coverage was measured using a method from Saito and Atobe (1994). The results showed that the coastal area of Jelenga has the highest percentage of seagrass coverage (>60%, healthy) among other coastal areas. This may be caused by the characteristic of Jelenga coast which was relatively calm, few visitors, low water turbidity, and high light penetration. While, other transects have percentage coverage of less than 60% (less healthy). There was one transect on Maluk coast which has coverage percentage of less than 29% (lack of seagrass species). The small coverage percentage on Maluk coast can be caused by the high number of visitors and high activity of fishing boats around the coast which results in high turbidity. Keywords: coverage, ecosystem condition, seagrass bed, west Sumbawa.