Seed Breaking Dormancy Technique and Growth of Screw Tree (Helicteres isora Linn.) seedlings

Screw tree is a shrub from family Malvaceae that has many benefits in pharmacy. Screw tree seed has very hard seed coat, so the seed must be treated before germination. The aim of this research was to assess the characteristic of fruit and seeds, effect of seed breaking dormancy, and effect of NPK fertilizer dosage on the growth of screw tree (Helicteres isora) seedlings. The results indicated that screw tree fruits belong to dry fruits with capsule form and has 5 follicles that has different direction. Screw tree seed is orthodox type that has 9 ̶ 36 seeds in one follicle with triangle and square shape. Germination technique in laboratory with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 48 hours treatment produced the best germination amounting to 65.0%. Germination technique in green house with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 24 hours treatment was the best germination amounting to 77.0%. Seedlings fertilized with 1 g NPK doses increased screw tree growth in diameter parameter of 6.35 mm and shoot-root ratio parameter of 3.9 compared to control.

Seed Breaking Dormancy Technique and Growth of Screw Tree (Helicteres isora Linn.) Seedlings

Screw tree is a shrub from family Malvaceae that has many benefits in pharmacy. Screw tree seed has very hard seed coat, so the seed must be treated before germination. The aim of this research was to assess the characteristic of fruit and seeds, effect of seed breaking dormancy, and effect of NPK fertilizer dosage on the growth of screw tree (Helicteres isora) seedlings. The results indicated that screw tree fruits belong to dry fruits with capsule form and has 5 follicles that has different direction. Screw tree seed is orthodox type that has 9 ̶ 36 seeds in one follicle with triangle and square shape. Germination technique in laboratory with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 48 hours treatment produced the best germination amounting to 65.0%. Germination technique in green house with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 24 hours treatment was the best germination amounting to 77.0%. Seedlings fertilized with 1 g NPK doses increased screw tree growth in diameter parameter of 6.35 mm and shoot-root ratio parameter of 3.9 compared to control.

Bioactive Compound Contents and Antioxidant Activity of of Fermented Lead Tree (Leucaena leucocephala (lmk.) de Wit) Seeds

Leucaena leucocephala (lmk.) de Wit) (leed tree) seeds have been fermented by Indonesian as a traditional food which is called tempeh. The fermentation products of legume seeds are good functional foods, since they contain many bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to determine the bioactive compound contents of fermented lead tree seed, such as total phenolic, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and a-tocopherol. Antioxidant activity testing was carried out using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) method. Analysis of total phenolics, ascorbic acid, β-carotene and a-tocopherol were carried out using the folin-ciocalteu method, iodine titration, spectrophotometry and iron (III) chloride-thiocyanate, respectively. Rhizopus oligosporus was used to ferment lead tree seeds for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 days. Fermented leed tree seed powder was extracted with petroleum ether followed by ethanol. In comparison to unfermented leed tree seed powder, the β-carotene and a-tocopherol of the fermented seed powder increased. The greatest enhancement of β-carotene and a-tocopherol contents were observed at day 2 of fermentation. The highest antioxidant activities of fermented leed tree seeds were also obained at day 2 of fermentation with 55.55±4.59 and 74.46±3.49% inhibition in petroleum ether and ethanol extracts, respectively. The results show that lead tree seed tempeh has high antioxidant activity due to the bioactive compounds contains, such as phenolics, β-carotene and a-tocopherol. Therefore, leed tree seed tempeh could be used for possible commercial production of functional food to alleviate oxidative stress.

Are Tree Seed Systems for Forest Landscape Restoration Fit for Purpose? An Analysis of Four Asian Countries

High-quality, suitably adapted tree seed at volume is a key component for the implementation and long-term success of forest landscape restoration (FLR). We analysed the tree seed systems in four Asian countries—the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and India—which have committed to restore in total over 47.5 million hectares of degraded lands by 2030. We assessed the national seed systems using an established indicator framework, literature review and expert surveys and interviews. Additionally, we surveyed 61 FLR practitioners about their challenges in acquiring seed to understand how the strengths and weaknesses identified at the national level were reflected in FLR projects on the ground. Identified key constraints common to the studied countries are (i) a mismatch between the growing demand for priority native species and the limited seed supply in terms of quantity and quality, (ii) lack of effective quality control for seed of native species and (iii) lack of information about the effects of climate change on native species to guide species selection and seed sourcing and to improve the resilience of restored ecosystems. We discuss options to strengthen seed systems for native tree species both in terms of quality and volume to enable them to effectively respond to the national FLR commitments and make recommendations on promising technical solutions.

Regulatory challenges for tree seed source and certification in Indonesia: documentation versus productivity perspectives

Permen LHK:P.3/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/1/2020 and Perdirjen RLPS:P.05/V-SET/2010 are two major regulations for forest tree seed implementation in Indonesia. Referring some Articles in the Regulations, it seems to need further investigation and analysis because primary task of seed source has been confusing with tasks of genetic resources, breeding, and plantation. Varies in reproductive system and advanced technology are also neglected. In addition, documentative (referred as by-process) seems to be main priority rather than ensuring actual seed productivity (referred as by-product). Such condition causes some irrelevant standards in the regulations and posed a contra-productive for the seed sources and further certification. As a result, it tends to eliminate many potential stands as seed source, and poses a causality negative impact diminishing tree grower’s interest for supplying seed and maintaining genetic resources. These problems and along with the increasing difficulty in seed supply have become challenges for the importance of ongoing monitoring and assessment of the existing regulations. This paper proposes some ideas addressing such challenges through regulatory improvements in optimizing the task of seed source, such as re-defining some standards, and focusing on real seed productivity. The improved regulation is also expected to stimulate involvement of community in seed source activities and maintaining potential genetic resources.