The response of root growth to various osmotic potentials is quite important in assessing the drought resistance of rice. This study modeled seminal root growth by applying consecutive polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatments (from 0 to 25%, 1% step), mathematical equations and noncontact image analysis to quantitatively evaluate the root response. Treatment began after seeds were germinated, and root growth was recorded by a digital camera every day from 7 to 20 days after seeding (DAS). Although the seminal root length (SRL) measured by image analysis slightly varied with DAS, the equations explained the differences in SRL increases under each PEG concentration relatively well (R2 = 0.774). The equations also suggested that the maximum seminal root length was observed at 5.9% PEG. This numerical characterization of root growth is an effective means of evaluating drought resistance.

Maize as the second major crop in Indonesia has an important role in the national economy. Maize production in Indonesia is potentially to be improved by the use of appropriate cultivars and cropping system. The aims of study were to evaluate the yield performances of high-yielding maize cultivars under two different cropping system. An RCBD field experiment using five high-yielding maize cultivars, namely NK212, P21, BISI 2, BISI 18 and Bima 14 were conducted at Banjar Sub-district, Pandeglang District, Banten Province, Indonesia from April to July 2020. The plants were arranged into a single row (70 × 25 cm; 5.7 plant m−2; J1) or double row (25 × 25 × 90 cm; 6.9 plant m−2; J2) cropping system. Plant growth, yield and yield components for each cultivars and cropping system were observed. Across the cultivars, the seed yield of J2 (1.34 kg m−2) was higher than that of J1 (1.71 kg m−2) due to higher number of plant m−2 that resulted greater ear number and seed number m−2. Even though J2 resulted smaller ear size (weight, length, diameter and seed weight ear−1) as compared to J1, but those were offset with greater ear number per m2 of J2. Across two cropping system, cultivar NK212 (1.75 kg m−2) was superior in seed yield, and followed with BISI 18 (1.57 kg m−2). All cultivars were consistently better under J2 than that of J1. We concluded that increasing planting density using double row cropping system, in combination with high-yielding cultivars resulted better seed yield, which is a promising way to improve maize production in Indonesia.

Preference information on New Superior Varieties (NSV) characteristics such as grain, rice and rice is needed for NSV development in an area. The purpose of this study was to determine the preferences of farmers and consumers towards grain, rice and rice from 10 NSV in Serang Regency, Banten Province. The varieties tested were Inpari 32, Inpari 42, Inpari 43, Inpari 45, Inpago 8, Inpari IR Nutri Zinc, Mantap, Padjajaran, Siliwangi and Tarabas. The method of data collection was carried out using a questionnaire to 36 respondents who were selected intentionally (purposive sampling). The questionnaire was made with an ordinal scale, respondents chose the answers strongly dislike, dislike, somewhat like, like and really like the characteristics of grain, rice and cooked rice. Furthermore, the data is processed and analyzed by Friedman Test. The results showed that there were 4 most preferred varieties based on the characteristics of grain, rice and cooked rice, namely Inpari 45, Tarabas, Inpari 32 and Mantap. The results of this study are expected to be used as a basis for selecting varieties for seed development in Serang Regency, Banten.

Peluang pengembangan kedelai di Provinsi Banten masih sangat terbuka luas, salah satunya dengan memanfaatkan lahan kering. Preferensi petani sangat     diperlukan guna mengetahui pengembangan Varietas Unggul Baru (VUB) yang dapat beradaptasi pada lahan kering di wilayah spesifik lokasi. Tujuan dari pengkajian ini adalah mengetahui preferensi petani terhadap karakteristik varietas kedelai hingga fase pembungaan pada lahan kering Provinsi Banten. Pengkajian dilakukan pada Bulan Agustus - Oktober 2019 di Desa Mekar Sari, Kecamatan Panimbang, Kabupaten Pandeglang, Banten, Indonesia. Data dan informasi dikumpulkan melalui kuesioner dengan melibatkan 22 responden. Analisis data menggunakan teknik Percieved Quality (PQ). Karakteristik varietas unggul kedelai hingga fase pembungaan yang dipentingkan petani dalam pemilihan varietas adalah ketahanan terhadap hama penyakit, tampilan tanaman secara umum, dan lebar daun. Sedangkan varietas unggul kedelai yang disukai oleh petani adalah varietas Tanggamus, Dena 1 dan Grobogan.