Joko Kusmoro’s research while affiliated with Padjadjaran University and other places

Kusmoro J, Raihan R, Hermawan W, Hasan R. 2025. Diversity and phenetic relationship of lichen genus Usnea in Cisanti Forest area, Bandung District, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 583-600. The Cisanti pine forest in Bandung District, West Java, Indonesia, is the area of an educational eco-agrotourism area and is a natural habitat for Usnea. However, there is no report yet about the richness of Usnea in this location that is important to provide information such as its biodiversity and chemical content beneficial resources. This study aimed to explore the diversity and analyze phenetic relationships of Usnea in the Cisanti forest area, based on morphological, anatomical, and chemical characters. The sampling method was carried out by exploring the forest area purposively on pine trees that Usnea grew. Usnea’s phenetic relationship was analyzed using the NTSYS version 2.01e software. The results showed 23 species of Usnea were found, namely U. angulata, U. baileyi, U. barbata, U. ceratina, U. chaetophora, U. cornuta, U. dasaea, U. diffracta, U. flammea, U. flavocardia, U. hirta, U. lapponica, U. maculata, U. mutabilis, U. pangiana, U. robusta, U. rubicunda, U. shimadae, U. sinensis, U. steineri, U. subcornuta, U. subflorida, and U. wasmuthii. Based on the 41 characters analyzed, in general Usnea divided into 3 clusters and cluster separation corresponds with subgenera, namely Usnea, Eumitria, and Dolichousnea. The closest relationship is between U. sinensis and U. maculata, and between U. barbata and U. lapponica by a similarity index of 0.814. The most distant relationship is between U. baileyi and U. barbata and between U. angulata and U. chaetophora, as well as U. subcornuta and U. pangiana by a similarity index of 0.616.

This study evaluates bio-briquettes and bio-pellets made from ramie (Boehmeria nivea), sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis), and palm kernel shell (Elaeis guineensis) as renewable fuel sources. Proximate analysis was conducted to measure moisture, ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and calorific values, while combustion tests assessed boiling efficiency and burn time. Results reveal that bio-briquettes generally outperform bio-pellets in calorific value, with sample B-S8R2 achieving the highest at 6455 kcal/kg and the fastest boiling time of 14 min at 88 °C. This enhanced performance is attributed to its high fixed carbon (71.81%) and low volatile matter, optimizing combustion and energy yield. In contrast, bio-pellets like sample P-PO7R3, with a calorific value of 4212 kcal/kg, offer moderate heat and durability, making them suitable for household use. The high density and low moisture content across all samples support efficient combustion, while the bio-briquettes’ low ash production indicates a more environmentally friendly fuel. The findings suggest that bio-briquettes are optimal for high-energy applications due to their superior combustion efficiency and environmental benefits, whereas bio-pellets provide a viable option for moderate-energy needs. This research supports the development of sustainable biofuel from biomass waste, providing a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuels.

Rice-washed water is wastewater resulted from the rice cleaning process that is rich in nutrients. The use of ramie chip waste can be considered a potential substrate due to its lignocellulosic nature, similar to other wastes studied. This study aimed to examine the effect of rice-washed water on the mycelium and pinhead growth of white oyster mushrooms grown in the ramie chip waste as the growing medium. The experiment was conducted for three months using a completely randomized design with four rice-washed water treatments and six replications. The rice-washed water concentration treatments were 0% (K0), 25% (K1), 50% (K2), and 100% (K3), which were added to the ramie chip waste as the growing medium for white oyster mushroom. The time of mycelium propagation velocity, the time the first pinhead appearance, the number of mushroom bodies, and the largest cap diameter were observed. The results showed that ramie chip waste-derived media was suitable to cultivate white oyster mushrooms. Adding 100% rice-washed water to the media significantly affected the speed of mycelium propagation (16.51 days) compared to control (30 days) and the appearance of the first pinhead (31.5 days) compared to control (38.5 days) as well as the number of fruiting bodies of mushroom (8.8) compared to control (6.2). However, the rice-washed water application did not significantly affect the diameter of the largest mushroom cap.

Trichoderma species are widely acknowledged as growth-promoting fungi that have been utilized to enhance the growth and yield of numerous crops. This research examined the capacity of 30 Trichoderma strains, isolated from two organic rice fields in West Java, Indonesia, to enhance the germination, growth, and physiological characteristics of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.). In general, Trichoderma strain TM10 demonstrated the greatest ability to increase seed germination (97.25 %), vigor index (3122.83), and germination speed (59.91 seeds/day). This strain also increased seedling root length and seedling height by 101.62 % and 112.20 %, respectively. Plants treated with TM10 exhibited a notable improvement in root length, plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight compared to control plants, demonstrating increases of 188.68 %, 69.90 %, 157.41 %, and 159.38 %, respectively. Furthermore, the total chlorophyll content and stomatal number in TM10-treated plants exhibited increments of 75.23 % and 75.53 %, respectively. Five selected isolates (TM7, TM10, SB2, SB8, and SB14) were evaluated for their potential to produce plant growth-promoting compounds, including phosphatase enzyme (ranging from 0.54 to 11.14 µg pNP g − 1 h − 1), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) (ranging from 28.96 to 63.91 µg/mL), ammonia (ranging from 1.96 to 5.79 µg/mL), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) (ranging from 221.76 to 274.82 ppm). The best strain, namely TM10, was then molecularly identified as Trichoderma yunnanense. This investigation demonstrates that Trichoderma spp. isolated from organic rice fields could be used as a bioinoculant in sustainable rice production.

Mutaqin AZ, Khrisnan MA, Kusmoro J, Iskandar J, Budiono R, Madihah, Nurzaman M, Setiawati T, Rusdi. 2024. Morphology of porang (Amorphophallus muelleri) in the Citarum Watershed, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 25: 2656-2662. The porang plant (Amorphophallus muelleri Blume) is a plant from the Araceae family that grows widely in various regions in Indonesia, including West Java Province. The porang plant contains various compounds, especially glucomannan, which can be used as food, cosmetics, medicines, etc., making it a prospective agricultural commodity widely cultivated by farmers. Like other plants, the characteristics of the porang plant are dependent on the environmental growing conditions. This research aims to determine the morphological characteristics of porang plants in several locations under various growing environments in the Citarum watershed, West Java Province. This research makes use of qualitative and quantitative approaches. The sampling technique was exploratory, with observation and interviews as additional data sources. Exploration was carried out to find the growing porang locations. Observations were carried out to observe or record the morphological characteristics and growing environment of porang. Interviews were conducted with competent community groups regarding the porang plant, such as farmers, to enrich information, especially regarding morphology and the growing environment. The research shows that porang are found in several locations, including the Citarum watershed. Unfortunately, this research observed intensively porang grown in Soreang Sub-district, Bandung District, Cipatat Sub-district, West Bandung District, and East Cikalong Sub-district, West Bandung District. Furthermore, specific observations of porang showed morphological differences in different growing environments in several locations, such as differences in light intensity, temperature, and soil pH.

Husodo T, Wulandari I, Saputri Y, Kasmara H, Hermawan W, Kusmoro J, Shanida SS, Khairina F, Haydar MRA, Asyraf MN, Febrian RR. 2024. Blooming calendar and polliniferous plants in Djuanda Great Forest Park, West Java, Indonesia: Implication for beekeeping management. Biodiversitas 25: 3216-3229. Information was unavailable regarding the types of pollinator plants and their blooming periods in Djuanda Great Forest Park, West Java, Indonesia. Information about flower blooming seasons was useful for various purposes. These findings will provide a basis for understanding the importance of Apis cerana Fabricius, 1793 in plant pollination and plant species resources for honey bees so that beekeeping practices can be carried out sustainably. The blossoming period of a plant is determined by its blooming period at the time of observation. The blooming period is observed every month in the second and fourth weeks for six months (December 2021-May 2022). Pollen collection was carried out in August 2021 (dry season). Pollen identification was carried out using the acetolysis method, which involves dissolving the non-pollen components of a sample to reveal the pollen grains, thereby enabling accurate identification. An overview of the observation records revealed the presence of 249 plant species from 82 families. The Asteraceae family has the most abundant species richness. Most plants were identified as pollinator plants (30.52%), nectariferous plants (10.04%), and plants that produce both (18.47%). Flowering plants of melliferous plants for honeybees are available throughout the rest of the year, especially from December to May. Therefore, to optimize honey harvesting, it is important to establish multiple colonies during periods of large honey flows. Honeybees may use alternative sugar sources beekeepers provide, such as fruit juice, during nectar scarcity. We would like to know more about the year-round bloom calendar. Sharing knowledge with farmers about the availability of melliferous plants in certain months will empower them to make decisions for sustainable beekeeping.

Lebah madu (Apis cerana) merupakan serangga penyerbuk yang efektif dan berperan dalam meningkatkan produksi tanaman pertanian. Kehidupan lebah madu sangat bergantung pada sumber pakan yang dapat diperoleh dari tanaman yang ada di kawasan hutan, area perkebunan atau pertanian. Tanaman menyediakan polen sebagai sumber nutrisi, sementara lebah madu akan membantu proses penyerbukan. Tumbuhan yang beragam dapat meningkatkan persediaan nutrisi serangga penyerbuk, meningkatkan jumlah penyerbuk dan pada akhirnya akan meningkatkan hasil panen. Polen memiliki lapisan dinding sel polimer sporopolenin yang sangat stabil sehingga morfologi polen tidak akan berubah dan dapat digunakan sebagai indikator untuk mengetahui jenis maupun keanekaragaman tumbuhan yang menjadi sumber pakan lebah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui keanekaragaman dan persentase jenis-jenis polen tumbuhan sebagai sumber pakan A. cerana. Penelitian dilakukan di kawasan konservasi Taman Hutan Raya Ir. H. Djuanda, Kabupaten Bandung, Jawa Barat dari bulan September 2021 sampai Mei 2022. Pengambilan sampel butir polen dilakukan menggunakan metode perangkap polen. Identifikasi jenis-jenis polen yang tertangkap pada perangkap polen dilakukan di Laboratorium Biosistematik dan Molekuler, Departemen Biologi, Universitas Padjadjaran menggunakan metode asetolisis yang dilanjutkan dengan menghitung persentase masing-masing jenis polen tumbuhan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat 27 jenis polen yang berasal dari 20 famili tumbuhan. Persentase polen terbesar ditemukan pada jenis Ageratum conyzoides (44,28%), sedangkan nilai presentasi terkecil ditemukan pada jenis Ceiba pentandra dan Pinus merkusii (0,12%). Informasi keragaman tanaman sumber pakan lebah mempunyai peranan yang penting dalam mendukung budidaya lebah madu.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have increased by 15 GtCO2-eq between the period of 1990-2019. The increase of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere is one of the environmental issues that can be minimized through the utilization of plant functions as carbon storage. Knowing the amount of carbon storage in a plant can inform the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that can be absorbed by the plant. The Arboretum of Padjadjaran University (Unpad) is one of the area that has great potential in storing carbon in the Sumedang region, West Java. Various types of plants are cultivated in the 12.5 ha wide of the Unpad Arboretum and divided into five types of land use for academic purposes. There hasn't been a lot of research conducted on estimating carbon storage in the arboretum based on the type of land use. The objective of this study is to collect data on total carbon storage and determine which type of land use with the highest potential for carbon storage in the Unpad Arboretum area. Non-destructive sampling was used to obtain data in the categories of trees, saplings, and poles. The wood density, height, and diameter of trees are used to estimate carbon storage, which is then calculated using the allometrics formula proposed by Chave et al., (2005). The total carbon storage in the Arboretum Unpad area was determined to be 23.18 t C. The Jatidiri plant zone had the highest carbon storage value of 3.87 t C/Ha, while the medicinal plant zone had the lowest at 0.90 t C/Ha. The difference in carbon storage is caused by the type of ecosystem, the type and composition of vegetation, and tree biomass.

Cellulose fabric testing for flame-retardant studies is frequently necessary in various textile applications. Natural cellulose material from ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is being promoted as an alternative raw material for the development of fire-resistant fabrics. This research aims to optimize the coating process of ramie fabric using a phosphorus-based flame retardant (FR) to enhance its flame-retardant characteristics. The FR treatment involves bleaching the fabric with H2O2; followed by fabric finishing using a formula comprising 3% (v/v) hydroxymethyl resin; phosphoric acid (2%); and two formulations of the flammable agent Flamatic DM-3072N: 40% (v/v) and 50% (v/v), applied using the pad-dry-cure method. The flame-retardant properties of the treated fabric are evaluated through flammability testing based on the ASTM D6413-08 standard, limiting oxygen index (LOI) analysis, and micrograph surface structure analysis with SEM. The results indicate that ramie fabric treated with the FR-50% material exhibits superior fire resistance, preventing fire spread on the fabric with a char length of 15–30 mm and a LOI value of 29. These findings highlight the potential of FR-treated ramie fabrics for various industries, including the automotive and protective clothing industries.

Indonesia stands as a global biodiversity hub, boasting an exceptional richness that earns it the distinction of being a mega-biodiversity country. Among its diverse ecosystems, the Rutaceae family holds significance, encompassing numerous genera, notably the Citrus genus, which showcases a splendid array of citrus plants. This research aimed to determine phenetic relationships based on the morphological and anatomical characters of seven citrus plants (Citrus reticulata var. Chokun, C. reticulata var. Fremont, C. reticulata var. Santang, C. reticulata var. Dekopon, C. aurantium var. variegata, C. aurantium, and C. limon) in Parongpong District, West Bandung Regency, West Java. The method used in this research was explorative with purposive sampling. This study collected three samples for respective citrus plants for character observations of leaf morphology, anatomy, and fruit morphology. Morphology and anatomy observations were conducted in the Department of Biology, Padjadjaran University laboratory. The description of morphological and anatomical data obtained from each orange plant was then analyzed using NTSYS PC version 2.11a software to obtain similarity values using the dendrogram analysis method. Phenetic analysis of seven orange plants produced a dendrogram divided into 2 main branches, branch I and branch II, with a similarity coefficient of 0.3846. Branch I consists of Chokun orange (Citrus reticulata var. Chokun), Fremont orange (C. reticulata cv. Fremont), Santang orange (C. reticulata cv. Santang), and variegated orange (C. sinensis cv. variegata) and branch II consists of dekopon orange (C. reticulata var. Dekopon), Sunkist orange (C. aurantium), and lemon (C. limon).