Pelita Perkebunan (a Coffee and Cocoa Research Journal)

Effectiveness of antioxidants on in vitro regeneration of Musa paradisiaca var. raja to prevent browning and enhance embryo development

Putri Aisiyya Qutlana Munawaroh — 2024-08-30

The cultivation of raja banana is widespread in Indonesia. The process of increasing banana propagation through in vitro culture encounters a specific issue, namely the occurrence of browning during the initiation stage, which hinders the regeneration process. The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness
of antioxidants on the in vitro regeneration of raja banana to prevent browning and enhance embryo development. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design with the treatment of the antioxidant compounds ascorbic acid (AS) and melatonin (MN). The treatments consisted of control (without antioxidants), ascorbic acid (100 mg L-1, 150 mg L-1, and 200 mg L-1) and melatonin (10 mg L-1, 12 mg L-1, and 14 mg L-1). The results showed that ascorbic acid and melatonin treatment had no significant effect on the percentage of viable explants and the level of browning intensity, but provided significant results on the regeneration process. The application of melatonin at 14 mg L-1 significantly increased callus regeneration. Furthermore, at a concentration of 12 mg L-1 showed the highest callus percentage value compared to other treatments. The melatonin 12 mg L-1 treatment showed the earliest scutellar embryo formation, whereas ascorbic acid at a concentration of 100 mg L-1 resulted in the most optimal regeneration of globular and scutellar embryos. The highest concentrations of ascorbic acid and melatonin inhibit the formation of coleoptilar embryos

In silico study of RKD4 gene function in Coffea arabica L. and various cultivated plants related to embryo formation initiation

Rina Arimarsetiowati — 2024-08-30

Arabica coffee supplies 60% of world coffee production because has a unique taste as superior quality beverage. Arabica coffee micropropagation can be conducted by somatic embryogenesis technique which produce clonal, fast dan uniform plant. The somatic embryogenesis (SE) process describes the integration of endogenous signals and gene reprogramming, which releases signals to initiate embryogenic processes. The use of endogenous auxin, either alone or in combination with other PGRs or stress, induces differential gene expression, which modifies the genetic program of somatic cells and regulates the transition to each stage during SE development. The RKD4 gene (RWP-RK DOMAIN-4) is a gene that plays a role in early initiation embryo formation and development. The characterization of RKD4 genes in C. arabica is still limited and under explored. The objective of this research is to explore the characteristics of RKD4 gene by comparing the difference and similarity of RKD4 gene in C. arabica and other cultivated plants. The method was initiate by identifying nucleotide sequences from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Furthermore, consists of analysis of nucletide alignment, alignment of amino acid sequences, protein analysis, protein motif functions discovery, analysis of phylogenetic tree, protein 2D and 3D-modelling and physiochemical properties. According to the analysis, there were 100 polymorphism points with a total number of mutations of 211 points. The phylogenetic tree show C. arabica L. has a very close relationship with grapes (Vitis vinivera) based on the RKD4 protein, gene structures and protein motifs. There are nine highly conserved motifs found in the protein alignment. C. arabica L. had more methyl jasmonate element responses than A. thaliana. The findings are useful to understand the intitiation of embryo formation mechanisms of C. arabica L and other cultivate plants during propagation through somatic embryogenesis in the long run.

Cocoa farmers’ perception regarding the effectiveness of cocoa extension services in the Bia West District, Ghana.

Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum — 2024-08-27

The study analysed cocoa farmers’ perception on the effectiveness of agricultural extension services in the Bia West District. Data for the study was collected from 400 cocoa farmers through a multistage sampling technique. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results reflect a prevailing awareness among the majority of cocoa farmers (over 90%) concerning the efficacy of agricultural extension agents operating in the study area. Farmers perceived a positive impact on information dissemination and timeliness (Mean=4.08), and knowledge and skills enhancement (Mean=4.03). Employing a probit model, age (1%), engagement in off-farm activities (10%), and the age of cocoa farms (1%) emerged as significant factors that influenced farmers' perception of the effectiveness of the agents. The three key challenges faced by farmers in accessing extension services included inadequate CEA visits (1^st), trust issues (2^nd), and communication barriers (3^rd). The study recommends the critical need to intensify and sustain extension training programmes, incentivising and supporting CEAs in fostering robust relationships within farming communities, and directing policy initiatives toward bolstering investments in communication infrastructure.