Genetic variation patterns of white jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba [Roxb.] Miq.), were evaluated at the population level. Eleven natural populations were examined for variations in fruit, seed, and seedling morphophysiological characteristics. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among populations for all the characteristics studied, except the radicle length. Genotypic variance and genotypic coefficient of variance for all fruit, seed, and seedling characteristics were found to be higher than corresponding environment variance and environment coefficient of variance, indicating that the genotype explained most of the variance for these characteristics. In particular, high heritability values coupled with high genetic gain were found for fruit weight, seedling height, root collar diameter, sturdiness index, leaf number, leaf length, and leaf width. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering of various characteristics of fruit, seed, and seedling revealed that most of the geographically distant populations are genetically close. Since these characteristics appear to be under strong genetic control, considerable scope exists for exploitation of heritable additive genetic components for future breeding and improvement in white jabon.

Reforestation programs should be supported by adequate forest nursery techniques. Seedlings used for reforestation programs in Indonesia were based on the height of seedlings ready to be planted in the field without basic knowledge of seedling morphology. White jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba [Roxb.] Miq.), a potentially fast-growing multipurpose tree species, has been extensively planted for land rehabilitation and reforestation programs. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of seed viability and initial morphology (diameter and height classes) of A. cadamba seedlings on field survival and growth after planting at Parungpanjang Research Station, Bogor, Indonesia. Correlations were found between seedling characteristics at initial stages and survival or growth in the field: seed viability and seedling height; seedling diameter or survival rate in the field; and seedling height growth in both the nursery and field. Thus, more viable seeds may predict better seedling height growth, seedling diameter growth, and higher survival in the field after planting. The morphology class of H2D4 (height 20À< 30 cm, diameter > 4.5 mm) was a good diameter and height class because of good sturdiness quotient of 5.47 and also high total dry weight of 3.05 g.

Seed, as a primary input, plays a vital role for establishment of forest plantation and for any afforestation program. In the recent years, forest and land rehabilitation and community forestry become a great emphasis for Indonesian national forestry programs that make the requirement of seed has multiplied manifold. Seed has become a valuable commodity and thus needs a prudent planning and sophisticated innovated equipment to support procurement of high-quality seeds and seedlings. In the last few years, research and development in seed science and technology have made significant progress. Basic problems faced in tree seed procurement in the tropic are seed characters of recalcitrant and intermediate which well known for drastically deteriorating in seed viability and vigor, sensitive to drying process and low storability. Applied technology for improving seed and seedling quality can be conducted by invigoration methods including physical invigoration (hydro-priming, osmo-priming, matri- conditioning, gamma-ray irradiation) and physiological invigoration (hormone priming, micronutrient, bio-priming, ultra-fine bubble). Seed storage technique has been developing for preparation of planting program and in-situ conservation through seedling storage and cryopreservation. In seed distribution scheme, seed and seedling certifications were developed by compiling the seed testing and seed quality standard of Indonesian Nasional Standard.

Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.) is an important starchy plant which has potential utilization for food, industry and medicine. The study was undertaken to assess the variability in morpho-physiological characters, tuber yield and starch content of 23 arrowroot populations in Garut District, West Java. The result showed some significant differences in morpho-physiological characteristics, tuber yield and starch content. Growth characteristics revealed that Cilawu population recorded the highest values for some characters: high, leaf number, abovegrowth biomass and tuber biomass. Cikajang population showed the highest tuber yield (210.6 g per plant) followed by Cilawu population (134 g per plant). Cikajang and Cilawu populations also provided the highest tuber biomass, 46.6 g and 60.0 g respectively. Cilawu population was a second population producing the highest starch content (26.1 %) after Cibatu population (27 %). The higher heritability coupled with genetic advance revealed for fresh tuber yield indicated that selection on basis of the character may be helpful to improve arrowroot yield. Most of the growth characteristics had not significant correlation indicating that the characteristics are not good indicator for selection. Cilawu, Cikajang and Cibatu populations have good potential to produce the high quality and quantity of tuber for arrowroot cultivation in Garut District.

Abstract. Siregar IZ, Muharam KF, Purwanto YA, Sudrajat DJ. 2020. Seed germination characteristics in different storage time of Gmelina arborea treated with ultrafine bubbles priming. Biodiversitas 21: 4558-4564.  Gmelina (Gmelina arborea) seed collected from tropical Indonesian forest experience seed deterioration during storage which is relatively faster than the gmelina seeds originating from temperate regions, such as India and Myanmar. Various treatments have been made to improve the seed viability and vigor after storage through various invigoration techniques. However, the utilization of promising novel technology such as ultrafine bubbles (UFB) has not been evaluated yet. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of seed priming using UFB, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the viability and vigor of gmelina seeds that have been stored for one and two years. This study was conducted by employing Completely Randomized Design (CRD) using three replicates. The study showed priming treatment had significant effect and formed average germination capacity of 80% for the seed stored for 1 year.  On the other hand, the priming treatment using PEG-0.8 MPa was the best treatment for germination capacity of 74.67% on 2 years stored seeds. UFB had significant effect on germination capacity, germination rate, growth uniformity, and germination value. This result was expected due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by micro-nano bubbles that could increase physiological activity of the seed cells.