Abstract. Widawati S, Suliasih. 2017. The effect of Azotobacter inoculation on shallot plants (Allium cepa) and availability of phosphate in the saline soil. . Azotobacter is diazotrophic bacteria having character as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). It provides growth hormones such as IAA, ACC-deaminase, N and P nutrients. The objective of the research was to determine the effect of Azotobacter inoculation on the growth and yield of shallot crops and the availability of P in saline soil. The experiment design was a Completely Randomized Design with the factorial pattern. The first factor was the source of water, freshwater and sea water.

Entering the third millennium food and energy crisis is becoming more serious in line with water scarcity amid of climate change induced by global warming, that so called as FEWS (food energy and water scarcity). In the last five decades Indonesian agricultural development of food crops had been emphasized on cereals and grains based. Conversion of forest into agricultural field in the form of upland and lowland facilitated by irrigation is prioritized for cereals such as rice, maize as well as grain legumes such as soybean, peanut etc. Unfortunately, root crops which their main yield underground are neglected. At the end of second millennium Indonesia was seriously suffered from multi-crisis economic trap, so Indonesia as part of countries under World Food Program to import the huge of food to cover domestic consumption such as rice, wheat, soybean, corn etc. On the other hand, consumption of energy was also increase significantly. These conditions triggering government to stimulate integrated agricultural enterprises for providing abundance of food as well as adequate renewable energy. Although root crops were neglected previously, however from its biological potential to produce biomass promotes root crops into an appropriate position. The variability of root crops which ecologically can be grown from upland in dry areas till swampy submergence condition. Forest conversion into agricultural land is not allowed due to forest is useful to prevent global warming. Therefore, food, feed and fuel (renewable energy) production have to be able grown under agro-forestry. Fortunately the potential of root crops has competency to meet the current need to fulfil food, feed and fuel as well as fibre under future greener environment.

Abstract. Rahajeng W, Rahayuningsih SA. 2017. Evaluation for yield and yield contributing parameters of orange-fleshed sweetpotato genotypes in two environments. Nusantara Bioscience 9: 275-281. Orange-fleshed sweetpotatoe (OFSP) is one of the most important sources of betacaroten and carbohydrates. OFSP showed varying responses to different environments, depending on the adaptability of the genotypes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between yield and yield component of OFSP genotypes at two different agroclimatological environments (Mojokerto and Blitar) from May to September 2013. Twenty four OFSP genotypes (twenty two clones and two varieties as the check) were used in this study and arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results showed that responses of OFSP genotypes to the environments varied and genotypes had highly significantly affected all parameters. Based on the criteria of high yield, amylum content, and dry matter production four clones were selected (MSU 09008-54, MSU 07009-113, MSU 07025-45, and MSU 09025-71) from Blitar and two clones (MSU 07009-113 and MSU 070-64) from Mojokerto. Clone MSU 07009-113 showed good performance in both environments for yield, amylum content, and dry matter production parameters. The result of the correlation analysis reveals that root yield is highly significant and positively correlated with dry matter production, number of roots, diameter of root, and harvest index in two locations (Blitar and Mojokerto). Based on the correlation and path analysis, dry matter production, root diameter, and harvest index can be used as an effective indicators selection for high yield OFSP genotypes.

This research aimed to increase the success rate of self-pollination in sweetpotato through sucrose treatment on stigma and pollen nuclei check. Various concentration of sucrose was applied on the stigma. Prior to the crosses, the stigma was excised and lubricated with sucrose. Pedicel was lubricated with 100 ppm of 2,4 D in lanolin. The result showed that the stigma of both varieties was longer than the anther. Papua Solosa showed 94,7% anther dehiscence and 70, 25% pollen viability; whereas MSU 03028-10 showed 87, 3% anther dehiscence and 87, 84% pollen viability. Both of these varieties showed receptive stigma. Sucrose level in compatible pollination was lower than in incompatible pollination. Sugar in 50 ppm concentration can increase the formation of fruit in self-pollination of Papua Solosa varieties from 0% to 70%; 0% to 60% in self-pollination of MSU 03028-10; and 10% to 90% of Papua Solosa>

Coating of nutmeg seeds may prevent the colonization of Aspergillus contamination. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of coating formulas to A. flavus on shelled nutmeg. Shelled nutmeg seeds were coated with aqueous (TT) and gel (GM+) formulas containing propylparaben (0.1%), potassium sorbate (0.8%), and clove oil (1.25%), and the aqueous GM- (0.65% clove oil and 0.4% potassium sorbate). The coated seeds were then sun-dried and sprayed with A. flavus conidia. The untreated control was only inoculated with A. flavus. The colonization of A. flavus on the seeds was visually observed. The aflatoxins, propylparaben, and potassium sorbate in the treated seeds were analyzed with HPLC. The results showed that seeds treated with GM+, GM-, and TT formulas were visually free from A. flavus. The total aflatoxins were not detected in the seeds treated with the GM+, but in the coated with GM- and TT was 0.95 µg/kg and 12.6 µg/kg, respectively. In the uncoated seeds, the total aflatoxins were 695.9 µg/kg. Propylparaben and potassium sorbate residues in the coated seeds were 66-11 mg/kg and 213-415 mg/kg, respectively. The coating formula effectively minimized A. flavus colonization and aflatoxin. Therefore, the coating formula could be used for reducing Aspergillus contamination.