No abstract

Indonesia is the third richest country for pigmented rice source such as Wojalaka black rice of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Manggarai of NTT, Toraja of South Sulawesi, Cempo Ireng of Central Java and red rice of Aek Sibundong (leading variety) and Baubau of Southeast Sulawesi. However, the morphological character of pigmented rice in Indonesia is less reported. The objective of research was to compare the morphological variation of root, stem, leaf, panicle, floret and the colour of milk mature grain and mature grain by observing the vegetative and generative parts of six local rice varieties. Research had been conducted from February 2012 to February 2014 in Sengguruh Village, Kepanjen District, Malang Regency. This study type was quasi-experiment with eleven replications. Group Random Design was used. The observation was given upon vegetative, reproductive and maturity phases as groups. Independent variables in this study were six rice varieties, while the dependent variable was morphological variation (root, stem, leaf, panicle, floret, milk mature grain and mature grain). The analysis of multivariate data in cluster and biplot was carried out with PAST. The result of the study indicated that there was morphological difference on stem, leaf, panicle, floret, milk mature grain and mature grain. The colour of the stem in Aek Sibundong variety was purple, while that of other varieties was green. Toraja and Manggarai varieties had the highest height with 163-168 cm, followed by Cempo Ireng with 139 cm, Wojalaka and Baubau with 110-112 cm. Aek Sibundong Variety had the lowest height with 99 cm. Aek Sibundong and Wojalaka varieties had 6-7 internodes which were the greatest number of internode, while other varieties only had 4-5 internodes. Some varieties, such as Aek Sibundong, Wojalaka and Baubau had short and small leaf. The leaflet angle of Aek Sibundong and Baubau were 14 o and it might be said as upright, while that of Wojalaka was 43 o or moderate. Cempo Ireng, Manggarai and Toraja had its 63-88 o of the leaflet angle or it was said as flat. Cempo Ireng and Wojalaka were included into Rice Indica Group while Toraja, Manggarai, Cempo Ireng and Baubau belonged to Rice Javanica Group. There were two morphological groups. Group 1 included Toraja, Manggarai and Cempo Ireng, while Group 2 consisted of Aek Sibundong, Baubau and Wojalaka.

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 (<em>Srikandi</em>) 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.

The research aimed to monitor surface water quality by using water quality index NSF-WQI and accurate biotic index of benthic macroinvertebrate. This study was conducted in September to November 2012 in some water tourism destinations in three regencies, i.e. Jember (three sites), Pasuruan (one site), and Malang (one site), East Java, Indonesia. Each site consisted of three stations (upstream, middlestream and downstream). Reference upstream and middlestream were located in the Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP) Jember. Water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates sampling were conducted in each site. While physical-chemical data consisted of TDS, DO, pH, NO 3 -N, TP and temperature were analyzed to determine the NSF-WQI index. Macrozoobenthic data were analyzed to determine three diversity indices and 11 biotic indices. Results showed that based on parameter of DO, TP, NO 3 -N, TDS and pH, water quality in downstreams were generally lower than upstreams. Upstream to middlestreams of two sites in Jember were good to excellent based on NSF-WQI water quality and biotic indices. Therefore, the water were qualified as drinking water resources and also served as safe recreational water. The accurate biotic indices to surface water quality in this study were % EPT, ASPT, HBI, FBI and % Gastropodes.

<p>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.</p>