Connection Pattern on the Leaves

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 32 views

Introduction

The Araceae crop, commonly known as taro, is a staple food in many parts of the world, including Indonesia. In Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency, North Sumatra Province, taro is an important crop for local farmers, providing a source of income and food for the community. However, the morphological characteristics of taro plants in this region have not been well-documented, making it difficult to identify superior genotypes for cultivation.

This study aims to identify the morphological characteristics of taro plants (Araceae) that grew in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency, North Sumatra. The study was conducted over a period of two months, from September to October 2021, using a survey method that refers to the IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute) descriptors. The sampling technique used was accidental sampling.

Methodology

The researchers observed various morphological parameters of taro plants, including:

Plant Height

Measuring taro plant height from the ground to the top of the leaf is an important parameter in identifying the morphological characteristics of taro plants. The height of the plant can affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Leaf Base Shape

The shape of the leaf base is another important parameter that can affect the yield and quality of the tubers. The leaf base can be heart-shaped, round, or lancet-shaped.

Leaf Strands Surface

The texture of the leaf strand surface can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers. The surface can be rough, smooth, or hairy.

Leaf Stranding Patterns

The shape of the leaves of the leaf can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers. The leaves can be flat, jagged, or curved.

Leaf Strands

The base color of the leaves can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers. The base color can be green, dark green, or light green.

Leaf Strand Color

The color of the leaves of the leaf can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers. The color can be different from the base color of the leaf strands.

Connection Pattern on the Leaves

The shape of the connection between the leaf stalks and leaf strands can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

The Color of the Sap of the Leafy Tip

The color of the sap coming out of the tip of the leaf when it is cut or damaged can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Length/ Width Ratio of Leaf Lamina

The ratio between the length and width of the leaf strands can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Main Color of Leaf Bone

The color of the main leaf bone that stands out on the leaf strands can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Leaf Bone Patterns

The arrangement and pattern of leaf bone on the leaf strands can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Total Length of Leaf Stalk

The length of the leaf stalk from the base to the tip that sticks to the leaf strands can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Color of Leaf Stalk

The color of the leaf stalks can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Lower Cross Section of the Leaf Stalk

The lower cross section of the leaf stalk can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

The Color of the Leaf Midrib

The color of the leaf midrib that surrounds the taro plant stems can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

The Edge Color of the Leaf Midrib

The edge color of the leaf midrib can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Length of Tubers

The length of the taro tubers from the end to the other end can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Tuber Diameter

The diameter of the taro tuber on the widest part can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Branching Tubers

The number and form of taro tuber branching can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

The Shape of the Tubers

The general shape of taro tubers can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Tuber Weight

The weight of taro tubers can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

The Color of the Tuber Cortex

The outer skin color of taro tubers can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

The Color of the Middle Tuber Meat

The color of taro tubers in the middle can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Surface of Tubers

The texture of the surface of the tubers of the tubers can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Thickness of Tubers

The thickness of the tubers of taro tubers can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Number of Kormel

The number of tubers (kormel) that grow around the parent tubers can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Plant Production

The number of taro tubers produced per plant can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Root Color

The color of taro plant roots can also affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Results

The results of the study showed that there were 13 genotypes of taro in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency, which were divided into two types, namely Xanthosoma sp and Colocasia. Data analysis using dendograms shows the existence of kinship between taro genotypes. S2 and S13 genotypes have the closest kinship with the value of 4,223 sissimiliarity, while S1 and S2 genotypes have the farthest kinship with 7,797 disssimiliarity.

Conclusion

This study shows a significant morphological diversity in taro plants in Labuhan Batu Selatan. This data has the potential to be used in the conservation and development program of taro cultivation, especially in an effort to choose superior genotypes that have the potential to produce larger and high-quality tubers.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to identify the genetic diversity of taro plants in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency.
The morphological characteristics of taro plants should be used as a selection criterion for superior genotypes.
The conservation and development program of taro cultivation should be implemented to promote the cultivation of taro in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted over a short period of time, which may not be representative of the entire growing season.
The sampling technique used was accidental sampling, which may not be representative of the entire population.
The study only focused on the morphological characteristics of taro plants and did not consider other factors that may affect the yield and quality of the tubers.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Identifying the genetic diversity of taro plants in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency.
Developing a selection criterion for superior genotypes based on the morphological characteristics of taro plants.
Implementing the conservation and development program of taro cultivation to promote the cultivation of taro in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has shown that there is significant morphological diversity in taro plants in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency. This data has the potential to be used in the conservation and development program of taro cultivation, especially in an effort to choose superior genotypes that have the potential to produce larger and high-quality tubers. Further research is needed to identify the genetic diversity of taro plants in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency and to develop a selection criterion for superior genotypes based on the morphological characteristics of taro plants.

Q: What is taro morphological diversity?

A: Taro morphological diversity refers to the variation in the physical characteristics of taro plants, such as leaf shape, size, color, and tuber shape, size, and color.

Q: Why is taro morphological diversity important?

A: Taro morphological diversity is important because it can affect the yield and quality of the tubers. By identifying and selecting for superior genotypes with desirable morphological characteristics, farmers can improve the productivity and profitability of their taro crops.

Q: What are the main morphological characteristics of taro plants that were studied in this research?

A: The main morphological characteristics of taro plants that were studied in this research include plant height, leaf base shape, leaf strands surface, leaf stranding patterns, leaf strands, leaf strand color, connection pattern on the leaves, the color of the sap of the leafy tip, length/width ratio of leaf lamina, main color of leaf bone, leaf bone patterns, total length of leaf stalk, color of leaf stalk, lower cross section of the leaf stalk, the color of the leaf midrib, the edge color of the leaf midrib, length of tubers, tuber diameter, branching tubers, the shape of the tubers, tuber weight, the color of the tuber cortex, the color of the middle tuber meat, surface of tubers, thickness of tubers, number of kormel, plant production, and root color.

Q: How many genotypes of taro were identified in this research?

A: Thirteen genotypes of taro were identified in this research, which were divided into two types, namely Xanthosoma sp and Colocasia.

Q: What is the significance of the dendogram analysis in this research?

A: The dendogram analysis in this research shows the existence of kinship between taro genotypes. This means that some genotypes are more closely related to each other than others, which can be useful for breeding and selection programs.

Q: What are the implications of this research for taro cultivation in Labuhan Batu Selatan?

A: This research has implications for taro cultivation in Labuhan Batu Selatan because it highlights the importance of selecting for superior genotypes with desirable morphological characteristics. By doing so, farmers can improve the productivity and profitability of their taro crops.

Q: What are the limitations of this research?

A: The limitations of this research include the short duration of the study, the accidental sampling technique used, and the focus on only morphological characteristics.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: Future research directions for this study include identifying the genetic diversity of taro plants in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency, developing a selection criterion for superior genotypes based on the morphological characteristics of taro plants, and implementing the conservation and development program of taro cultivation to promote the cultivation of taro in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency.

Q: How can this research be applied in practice?

A: This research can be applied in practice by farmers and breeders who are interested in improving the productivity and profitability of their taro crops. By selecting for superior genotypes with desirable morphological characteristics, farmers can improve the yield and quality of their taro tubers.

Q: What are the potential benefits of this research for the local community?

A: The potential benefits of this research for the local community include improved taro yields and quality, increased income for farmers, and improved food security.

Q: What are the potential challenges of implementing this research in practice?

A: The potential challenges of implementing this research in practice include the need for further research on the genetic diversity of taro plants in Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency, the development of a selection criterion for superior genotypes, and the implementation of the conservation and development program of taro cultivation.

Q: How can this research be replicated in other regions?

A: This research can be replicated in other regions by following a similar methodology and using similar techniques to identify and select for superior genotypes with desirable morphological characteristics.

Q: What are the potential applications of this research in other fields?

A: The potential applications of this research in other fields include the study of other crops with similar morphological characteristics, the development of new breeding programs for other crops, and the application of similar techniques to other fields such as medicine and biotechnology.