KULTUR JARINGAN TANAMAN PETAI (PARKIA SPECIOSA): UPAYA PELESTARIAN DAN PERBANYAKAN TANAMAN LOKAL BERNILAI EKONOMI

Abstrak

The petai plant (Parkia speciosa) constitutes a native Indonesian species possessing significant economic and social value, particularly across Sumatra, Java, and Kalimantan. Market demand for petai continuously increases, yet its productivity remains relatively low due to slow conventional propagation techniques alongside limitations in land and superior seeds. Furthermore, excessive exploitation and land conversion threaten its sustainability. Consequently, tissue culture technology serves as a potential solution for the massive and sustainable propagation of petai plants. This study aims to develop an initial petai tissue culture protocol, specifically embryo culture, utilizing cotyledon and hypocotyl explants derived from sterile seeds. Explants were inoculated onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with varied concentrations of plant growth regulators, namely Benzyl Amino Purine (BAP) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA). Observed parameters encompassed callus formation, shoot regeneration, and root growth. Initial results indicated that the combination of 2 mg/L BAP and 0.5 mg/L NAA yielded the optimal response for callus formation and shoot initiation. As an aseptic propagation technique utilizing sterile nutrient and hormone enriched media, tissue culture aims to produce uniform and disease free petai plants rapidly and in massive quantities. This approach is highly beneficial for conserving genetic resources, propagating superior varieties, and supporting productive rehabilitation programs for petai plants.