Three cultivars of snake fruits, Pondoh Hitam, Pondoh Super, and Gading, were freshly extracted using liquid-liquid extraction. The aroma compounds of the three samples were analyzed by GC-MS and GC-olfactometry using the nasal impact frequency (NIF) method. A total of 24 odor-active compounds were associated with the aroma of snake fruit. Methyl 3-methylpentanoate was regarded as the character impact odorant of typical snake fruit aroma. 2-Methylbutanoic acid, 3-methylpentanoic acid, and an unknown odorant with very high intensity were found to be responsible for the snake fruit's sweaty odor. Other odorants including methyl 3-methyl-2-butenoate (overripe fruity, ethereal), methyl 3-methyl-2-pentenoate (ethereal, strong green, woody), and 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3[2]-furanone (caramel, sweet, cotton candy-like) contribute to the overall aroma of snake fruit. Methyl dihydrojasmonate and isoeugenol, which also have odor impact, were identified for the first time as snake fruit volatiles. The main differences between the aroma of Pondoh and Gading cultivars could be attributed to the olfactory attributes (metallic, chemical, rubbery, strong green, and woody), which were perceived by most of the panelists in the Pondoh samples but were not detected in the Gading samples. This work is a prerequisite for effective selection of salak genotypes with optimal aroma profiles for high consumer acceptance.

The current study makes use of life cycle assessment to evaluate the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) savings in coal electricity generation by 5% co-firing with sorghum pellets. The research models the utilization of 100 thousand hectares of under-utilized marginal land in Flores (Indonesia) for biomass sorghum cultivation. Based on equivalent energy content, 1.12 tons of pellets can substitute one ton of coal. The calculated fossil energy ratio of the pellets was 5.8, indicating that the production of pellets for fuel is energetically feasible. Based on a biomass yield of 48 ton/ha•yr, 4.8 million tons of pellets can be produced annually. In comparison with a coal system, the combustion of only pellets to generate 8,300 GWh of electricity can reduce global warming impacts by 7.9 million tons of CO2-eq, which is equivalent to an 85% reduction in GHG emissions. However, these results changed when reduced biomass yield of 24 ton/ha•yr, biomass loss, field emissions, and incomplete combustion were considered in the model. A sensitivity analysis of the above factors showed that the potential GHG savings could decrease from the initially projected 85% to as low as 70%. Overall, the production of sorghum pellets in Flores and their utilization for electricity generation can significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to climate change mitigation. Some limitations to these conclusions were also discussed herein. The results of this scenario study can assist the Indonesian government in exploring the potential utilization of marginal land for bioenergy development, both in Indonesia and beyond.

Salak is a very important fruit product in Indonesia that has been cultivated throughout Indonesia and has been exported to several countries. The study to determine biochemical and physical as well as physiological changes during fruit maturation and ripening was applied to two superior salak cultivars, “pondoh hitam” and “pondoh super” originally from Sleman, Yogyakarta of Indonesia. Fresh salak fruits of the cultivars “pondoh hitam” and “pondoh super” at three different ripening stages were used, i.e. stage 4, stage 5 and stage 5.5 (4, 5 and 5.5 months after pollination, respectively) for “pondoh hitam” and stage 4, stage 5 and stage 6 (4, 5 and 6 months after pollination, respectively) for “pondoh super”. Immediately after air transport from Indonesia to Germany, determination of fruit colour and texture as well as biochemical analyses were carried out in Berlin. Freeze-dried sample material was used for the determination of minerals, mono- and disaccharides, pectic substances and dietary fibre. Results of the study showed that increase in fruit size and weight as well as changes in peel and pulp colour occurred during maturation and ripening of salak fruits. Different patterns of peel and pulp colour changes were found in “pondoh super” and “pondoh hitam” during ripening. Physiological processes in “pondoh super” occurred to at a later stage but then accelerated faster than “pondoh hitam” in term of changes of mono- and disaccharides, resulting in a poorer marketability and shorter shelf life. In respect to the changes of sugar/acid ratio, there was a faster ripening process in “pondoh super” than in “pondoh hitam”. “Pondoh super” possessed higher content of polysaccharides and lignin, however, the ripening process accelerated earlier in comparison to “pondoh hitam”. Alterations in cell wall and middle lamella structure did not correlated with the physical non destructive texture measurement during ripening of salak

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is considered the most nutritious of all fruits. Avocado fruit contain high unsaturated fat, protein, and energy. It could be eaten fresh for food, drinks, cooking, and cosmetics. Recently, it has become a significant commodity in international trade. Indonesia is the 2nd avocado producing country, but only little quantity of avocado fruits could be exported. The farmers usually grow avocado plants from the seeds, without proper fertilizers in their backyards or small gardens. The problems could be solved by using grafted plants, proper fertilizers, and growing in a large scale of areas. This research was conducted to find out the effect of two liquid bio-fertilizers namely Mega Rhizo and Beyonic StarTmik on the plant growth and growth rate of grafted avocado plants. Some plant growths and growth rates of grafted avocado were influenced significantly by genotype accession, kind of bio-fertilizer, and weather (temperature). Plant growth and growth rate of most avocado accessions were not significant differences to bio-fertilizer applications, but some avocado accessions on certain months were significant differently. Growth rate ranks of plant height based on accession were no.

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) belongs to Lauraceae family, is originated from lowland and highland tropical America region. Avocado plant was introduced to Indonesia in 1750 by Spanish. Fruit of avocado contains high unsaturated (healthy) fat, protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and energy. Fruit of avocado can be eaten freshly, used as an additional ingredient cooking and material for cosmetics. Avocado fruits are available along the year in market cities of Indonesia but their fruits fluctuate in quantity and uncertain quality. It because the plants commonly come from seeds and grown in home-yards or small areas by small farmers. The purposes of this research were to evaluate and select some cultivars for parent plants that produce good fruit characters, high content of fat, and continual yield along the year. The research was started on January 2011 until 2013 for obtaining data, collecting avocado fruits and scions in West Java province, which is the biggest avocado fruit production in Indonesia. From 180 accessions of avocado fruits, there were 31 potential accessions for selecting good cultivars and 6 accessions of them (10, 5, 39, 48, 61, 123) were selected. The selected fruit character had scores 72-80 of maximum 100, fat content 9.78%-20.57%, and harvest periods from January to December. These accessions as grafted plants have grown and propagated in our research station of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) in Cibinong for further study and for releasing to the farmers.

The study to investigate growth and physiological responses of salak cultivars to different growing media was carried out in a greenhouse of the Institute for Horticultural Sciences, Department of Fruit Sciences of Humboldt University Berlin at Berlin. The temperature inside the greenhouse were adjusted to 20 °C/25 °C (day/night) and the relative humidity varied between 20 % and 70 %. Pure quartz sand, peat and a sand/compost mixture were tested as growth substance. The following parameters were measured: shoot dry weight, root dry weight, shoot length increment, leaf area increment, net CO₂ assimilation rate (P_N), leaf colour and plant mineral contents (N, P, K, Ca and Mg). Quartz sand, supplied with a complete nutrition solution was the best growing medium, whereas low pH peat was not suitable for salak seedlings due to the inhibitory growth effect. “Pondoh hitam” was the most vigorous cultivar.

The study was carried out in a greenhouse of at the Institute for Horticultural Sciences of the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. Seven-months-old seedlings of salak cultivars "pondoh" from Indonesia were used for the study. At this age, plants are usually transferred from the nursery to the field in the growing region. An experimental block design was arranged for the study. A total of 48 experimental plants was separated into two blocks, namely shading (S) and non-shading (N). Three water supply treatments were assigned to each block. At the beginning of the study, the seedlings for N treatment were moved from shading to non-shading tables in the greenhouse. Three water supply treatments were assigned to each block. At the beginning of the study, the seedlings for N treatment were moved from shading to non-shading tables in the greenhouse. Two additional 400 W lamps (HQI-TS/D, OSRAM, Germany) were placed 2 m above the seedlings in the N treatment. Three watering treatments, applied to each block, were W1 (100 ml distilled water per plant every 2 days), W2 (100 ml per plant every 4 days) and W3 (100 ml per plant every 6 days). Therefore, the combinations of the treatments were SW1, SW2, SW3, NW1, NW2 and NW3. Responses to be analysed were shoot and root dry weight, increment of shoot length and leaf area, net CO 2 assimilation rate (P N ) and plant mineral contents, i.e. N, P, K, Ca and Mg. In addition, water content of the growing media was recorded. The study results showed that shading, which reduced sunlight by 70 %, was not beneficial for 7-months-old salak seedlings, due to lower growth rate, P N and N content as compared with plants in non-shading conditions. On the other hand, light intensities above 800 µmol m -2 s -1 (PAR) possibly cause leaf bleaching and should be avoided. Salak plants did not tolerate drought conditions. However, different water supply did not affect P N and mineral uptake (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) of salak plants.

Alien plant species were introduced to Indonesia for cultivation, experimental and curiosities, or a Botanic Garden’s collection. Those alien species could also be imported through plant propagules infecting imported agricultural products. The species could be useful or have a possibility as invasive. A Botanic Garden collects documented plant species for conservation, research, environmental education, ecotourism, and ecosystem services. Bogor Botanic Garden was established in 1817 and has many plant collections not only from Indonesia but also from many other countries of the world. This study aims to identify the invasive plants as a collection of Bogor BG, characterise, and assess the plants to reduce the risk. There were 69 invasive species with a total of 262 plants collected in the garden, with the habit form of climber, tree, shrub, herb, clump, fern and aquatic. The source of the invasive plants was only from outside Indonesia (19 species), only from Indonesia (36 species), or both sources (14 species). The native of the invasive species was Indonesia (26 species), out of Indonesia (37 species) or unknown (6 species). The characteristic of invasiveness of the plant species is very important as an input for further risk analysing of invasive plant of the garden and for managing the plants of Botanic Gardens in the future time.