Floating culture system (FCS) is the only feasible way for crop cultivation during high and prolonged flooding period at riparian wetlands. Objective of this research was to evaluate growth and yield of chili pepper cultivated using three different FCS during high flooding period at tropical riparian wetland. Floating rafts were constructed using used plastic bottles. Dimension of the raft was 2m x 1m with load capacity of 60 kg m-2 ; therefore each raft can carry 120 kg dead weight of growing media and chili pepper grown on it. Chili pepper used was CK9856 variety. Three FCS treatments applied were: P 1 , with gunny sack layer placed at interface between water surface and growing media; P 2 , without gunny sack at the interface; and P 3 , bottom part of growing media was immersed in water at 2-3 cm depth. These treatments were compared to P 0 , conventionally cultivated chili pepper as control. Result of this study revealed that chili pepper cultivated using FCS (P 1 , P 2 , and P 3) significantly outperformed those of conventionally cultivated (P 0) as indicated by higher growth and yield. Among FCS treatments, P 2 produced the highest marketable yield (248.9 g plant-1). Therefore, the P 2 is recommended for cultivation of chili pepper by smallholder farmers at riparian wetlands during high and prolonged flooding period.

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The purpose of this study was to assess the fish biodiversity of Sungsang estuaries in South Sumatra. The species diversity, evenness, dominance, degree of similarity, and composition of fish communities as well as some physicochemical conditions were analyzed in order to establish the baseline data inventory of Sungsang estuaries. The results show that all of the physico-chemical parameters were in good condition for fish sustainability. Forty-eight (48) species of fish belonging to 29 families of freshwater, brackish water and marine sources were encountered in the water bodies. Johnius belangerii, Johnius amblycephalus and Setipinna taty were species with a relatively high abundance, but the appearance frequency of these species was high, medium and low, respectively. The value of the Shannon’s diversity index for fish resources was classified as moderate (H’=1.477-2.708). The index value of evenness was classified as high (J’= 0.616 – 0.876), while the index value of dominance was classified as low (D = 0.097 – 0.382). This result indicate that the species diversity was good enough, the species spread was evenly distributed, that there was a stable community structure and no domination.

Wetland areas in Indonesia cover more than 33,3 million hectares, and slightly less than 40 % is inland swamp. During the rainy season, for up to 9 months annually, the wetlands are flooded, and no conventional agricultural activities can be done by local farmers. However, this condition can be seen as an opportunity to employ floating culture system. The objective of this research was to evaluate responses of leaf celery to floating culture system with different depths of water-substrate interface and NPK-fertilizer application. The results of this study indicated that the depth of water-substrate interface (WSI) should be maintained between 1 to 3 cm. At less than 1 cm, continuous contact between the water surface and the bottom part of the substrate cannot be ensured; meanwhile, aerobic substrate volume was reduced and caused significant effects on growth and yield in celery plants if WSI was deeper than 3 cm. Moreover, the effectiveness of NPK-fertilizer application was weakened if the depth of WSI was at 6 cm. Fresh leaf yield in celery plants harvested at 45 days after transplanting (DAT) can be predicted as early as 3 weeks earlier using the midrib length of the largest leaf or plant height as a predictor measured at 26 DAT. HIGHLIGHTS Depth of water-substrate interface (WSI) should be maintained between 1 to 3 cm for better growth and higher yield in floating culture system Effects of NPK fertilizer application diminished if WSI deeper than 3 cm Yield of celery harvested at 45 days after transplanting can be predicted as earlier as 3 weeks using midrib length of the largest leaf or plant height as predictor GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT